In the UK, public holidays, often referred to as bank holidays, vary across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Below is a list of public holidays applicable in 2026/2027:
Northern Ireland 2026:
Northern Ireland 2027:
Under UK employment law, employees are not automatically entitled to take public holidays off. It depends on their contract of employment. Many employers include public holidays as part of annual leave entitlement or allow them as additional paid days off.
The key employment legislation that governs public holidays and leave entitlements includes:
Yes, if specified in the employment contract. Employers must provide clear notice in their employment terms regarding work on public holidays.
When employees are required to work, employers often offer compensation through:
