England’s beloved Lionesses have roared into the World Cup Final thanks to goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, and Alessia Russo.
The English team will go head-to-head with Spain’s female footballers on Sunday, August 20 and, should they bring the win home, many want the following day, which is a Monday, to become a bank holiday so that the nation can celebrate the occasion.
As the match draws closer, the pressure mounted on the Government to declare Monday, August 21, as a bank holiday has been growing, too.
Here is a look at if Brits are likely to get a bank holiday should the Lionesses win.
Will we get a bank holiday if England wins the Women’s World Cup?
Fans have set up a petition calling for an extra bank holiday via the Parliament website, if the Lionesses bring home the World Cup trophy.
At the time this article was written, the petition has been signed by 600 people. The petition would need to collect 10,000 signatures to prompt a response from the Government and 100,000 to be considered for a debate in Parliament.
Sir Keir Starmer has urged the Government to go along with the public’s wishes. In a tweet, he said: “It’s almost 60 years since England won the World Cup. I’m never complacent about anything…but there should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home.”
It’s almost 60 years since England won the World Cup.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 16, 2023
I’m never complacent about anything…but there should be a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses bring it home. https://t.co/gCTEQS18IQ
However, thus far, the Government has said that an extra bank holiday for the potential win by the Lionesses is currently not in ministers’ plans.
A spokesperson explained: “Winning the World Cup would be a massive moment for the country and make no mistake we’ll find the right way to celebrate.
“As Sarina Wiegman herself has said, the first thing to do is focus on the final and the whole country will be rooting for the Lionesses this weekend.”
According to a House of Commons library report from 2010, an extra bank holiday costs the UK economy around £2.9 billion.
When have bank holidays been granted for similar instances in the past?
There has never been an extra bank holiday after a sporting achievement, despite widespread public support.
Just last summer, the Government resisted calls for a celebratory bank holiday when the Lionesses won the Euros at Wembley.
