Brits set 'to get extra bank holiday' in 2025 to mark anniversary

The UK is gearing up to honour the 'Greatest Generation' with an additional bank holiday, marking 80 years since World War II came to a close. Next year's tribute is set to span a four-day celebration.

May 8 is synonymous with Victory in Europe Day, indicating Germany's unconditional surrender in 1945, and August 15 is commemorated for Japan's capitulation, which brought an end to the hostilities. While the exact weekend for this extended break has not been finalised, it is anticipated that the details will be announced shortly.

With roughly 70,000 World War II veterans among us, next year presents a significant moment for them to receive due honours. Veterans have warmly welcomed the idea of having an extended bank holiday.

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Geoff Roberts, aged 99 and a Market Garden veteran who was captured at the Battle of Arnhem in 1944, commented: "I think it's very important in these current times we remember those that gave their lives for our freedom and peace in Europe. We should never forget them. Maybe an extra bank holiday will help to remind people about what's happened in the past."

At 98 years old, Marie Scott was only 17 during the D-Day landings and played a crucial covert role from within an underground bunker. Responsible for relaying coded communications from military top brass to the forces on Normandy's beaches, she recalls hearing the grim echoes of conflict through the radio from across the Channel,.

Reflecting on her experiences, Marie commented: "An additional bank holiday would be an opportunity to thank all those wonderful people who made such a spectacular victory possible because, without them, the future could have been very dire indeed."

There's talk that plans are afoot to potentially earmark May 9 and 12 for nationwide celebrations or to add August 22 as an extra day off, extending the summer bank holiday on August 25 to create a four-day period of festivities. This proposed additional leisure time would allow communities across the UK to honour these momentous anniversaries, much like the Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in 2022.

During the dazzling four-day Jubilee event, the nation marked the 70th anniversary of the late Queen Elizabeth II's accession with celebrations from June 2 to 5, plus the day of her funeral, September 19, which was also made a bank holiday.

Moreover, the country enjoyed an extra bank holiday for King Charles's coronation, with Monday, May 8, being declared a day of rest, following closely after the ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

Looking ahead to 2025, Britons can anticipate eight public holidays starting with New Year's Day, followed by the Easter breaks of Good Friday and Easter Sunday; two May bank holidays on the 5th and 26th; the late summer break on August 25; and wrapping up the year with the Christmas Day and Boxing Day festivities.

In 2020, the early May bank holiday was moved from Monday, May 4, to Friday, May 8, to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, sparking discussions about the adequacy of notice and whether an extra day off should have been provided. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson supported proposals for a new bank holiday to honour her reign, potentially raising the annual total to nine in England and Wales.

The idea gained considerable backing from Lord Richard Dannatt, 73, ex-Chief of the General Staff and Chairman of the Normandy Memorial Trust, who hailed it as a "brilliant concept", and Royal biographer Gyles Brandreth, 76, who felt such a day was "needed more than ever to remind us what connects us, to create an excuse to engage our neighbours in something more than small talk and to express our thanks to a lifetime of service in her Majesty the Queen. It is, as they say, for Queen and Country".

A PwC analysis indicated that sectors like retail, hospitality, and tourism, which were hit hard during the pandemic, would significantly benefit from the economic boost an additional bank holiday might provide. Nevertheless, government officials dismissed the proposal, arguing that "each bank holiday presents a significant cost to our economy".

Millions of Brits are set to come together for a significant national event next year, as the UK marks the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day. A staggering 16.75 million people took part in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022, and similar numbers are expected to mark the milestone anniversaries of Victory in Europe Day on May 8 and Victory over Japan Day on August 15.

The Government has confirmed it will provide £10 million for events to commemorate the occasions. Dick Goodwin, Vice President of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: "We are looking forward to celebrating with the remaining Second World War heroes - they deserve Britain's gratitude and respect for their courage and sacrifice. We are looking forward to the bank holiday and stand ready to help."

A spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport added: "The 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day will be moments of huge significance for our country, and the Government is committed to commemorating the occasions appropriately. That is why we have announced more than £10 million for events. We will announce the Government's plans to mark the occasion shortly."

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