Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which Minister in his Department is responsible for alterations to the dates of bank holidays.
The Government considered the implications of moving the early May bank holiday from 4 to 8 May 2020 very carefully and how this may impact business. Only after this process was completed were we in a position to make an announcement. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Andrew Stephenson MP set out the Government’s position on this in an Adjournment Debate on 18 June 2019.
The Government recognises that the decision has caused difficulties to some individuals and businesses. But on this historic occasion the Government wants to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to pay a fitting tribute to our heroes of the Second World War on the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Representatives from businesses that publish printed calendars have contacted the Department and we have responded to them directly.