A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is displayed on the large screen at Piccadilly Circus, London, to mark the start of her platinum jubilee on February 6. Getty
A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is displayed on the large screen at Piccadilly Circus, London, to mark the start of her platinum jubilee on February 6. Getty
A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is displayed on the large screen at Piccadilly Circus, London, to mark the start of her platinum jubilee on February 6. Getty
A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is displayed on the large screen at Piccadilly Circus, London, to mark the start of her platinum jubilee on February 6. Getty

UK government considers new permanent bank holiday


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

The British Chancellor Rishi Sunak will consider proposals for a new bank holiday in honour of Queen Elizabeth II.

Britain is already set for an extra day off on June 3 to mark the monarch’s platinum jubilee.

But campaigners have been calling to make the holiday permanent from 2023, with the move backed by the Confederation of British Industry, Hospitality UK, the Archbishop of Canterbury and others.

The Telegraph and The Express said the idea had now won the support of Mr Sunak, as well as Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife, Carrie.

But the PA news agency understands that Mr Sunak is yet to consider the proposals, although he intends to.

The new “thank holiday” would recognise the Queen’s “extraordinary service”, as well as people’s efforts to support their communities, especially over the past two years.

The Telegraph reported that Mr Sunak had asked the Treasury for formal advice on the suggestion.

It also said Downing Street had asked the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to carry out a review of the matter.

“The Treasury is not saying no off the bat despite previously being institutionally allergic to the idea of a new bank holiday," the paper quoted a source as saying.

“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”.

Downing Street and the Treasury have been approached for comment.

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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May 2017

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September 2021

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December 2024

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May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

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Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.

It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.

Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.

After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.

Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.

The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.

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Updated: April 26, 2022, 12:20 AM