The Petition of residents of the Erewash constituency and others,
Declares that England is one of very few countries in the world that does not have a public holiday to celebrate its national day; notes that St Patrick’s Day is bank holiday in Northern Ireland, and that St Andrew’s Day is a voluntary public holiday in Scotland; and further declares that everyone who is part of England should be able to celebrate its traditions, its history, its heritage and the English way of life with a public holiday on St George’s Day.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to bring forward proposals to make St George’s Day a public holiday in England.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Jessica Lee, Official Report, 23 June 2010; Vol. 512, c. 400.]
[P000839]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills:
We thank our hon. Friend for her Petition asking the Government to bring forward proposals to make St George’s Day a bank holiday in England.
Public Holidays through the EU and across the UK reflect differing histories, cultures and traditions. The suggestion of a bank holiday in England to celebrate St George’s Day on 23 April is one that has been made on a number of occasions in recent years. However, there have also been other suggestions in this area, for instance a proposal for a new “British Day” after Remembrance Sunday to celebrate the contribution of the Armed Forces.
All such proposals must, however, be seen in the context of the practical implications of the introduction of an additional bank holiday, in particular the significant costs it would entail for employers. The Government therefore have no current plans to change the current pattern of bank holidays which is well established and accepted, but are grateful to her for taking the time to submit her views.