Businesses have called for this year’s bonus Platinum Jubilee bank holiday to be made permanent. Hospitality leaders have written to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor urging them to create a “thank holiday” to honour the Queen.
This year Brits will get an extra day off on June 3, but campaigners argued that a new permanent bank holiday from 2023 would boost the economy. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and Hospitality UK are all supporting the move.
According to The Telegraph and The Express, Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie are all in favour of the extra bank holiday. Although it is understood that Mr Sunak is yet to fully consider the proposals.
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The new bank holiday would recognise the Queen’s “extraordinary service”. It would also be a way of thanking people’s efforts to support their communities, especially over the last two years.
The Telegraph reported that Mr Sunak had asked the Treasury for formal advice on the suggestion. The newspaper also said Downing Street had asked the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) to carry out a review of the matter.
It cited a source as saying: “The Treasury is not saying no off the bat despite previously being institutionally allergic to the idea of a new bank holiday. “Rishi is supportive of the campaign and the thought behind it and has asked for all the projected costs.”
The Express also reported that the Chancellor was “looking at proposals carefully”. It has previously been reported that Mr and Mrs Johnson are supportive of the move. No 10 and the Treasury have been approached for comment.
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