BANK HOLIDAYS IN THE UK, YEAR 2021 & 2022
What Are Bank Holidays?
Check Bank Holidays in the UK for 2023/2024 HERE
The term ‘bank holidays’ is typically used in the United Kingdom, but many other countries use this term too. Bank holidays are very similar to national holidays as they are paid off and often coordinated with an employer. Most of the UK has eight bank holidays per year: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, May Day, late May Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Northern Ireland and Scotland have additional public holidays: Orangemen’s Day, St Andrew’s Day, and St Patrick’s Day.
This page contains a calendar of all 2021 bank holidays for the UK. These dates may be modified as official changes are announced, so please check back regularly for updates
Bank holidays in England and Wales(2021)
DATE / MONTH | DAY | HOLIDAY |
---|---|---|
1 January | Friday | New Year’s Day |
2 April | Friday | Good Friday |
5 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
3 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
31 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
30 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
27 December | Monday | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
28 December | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
Bank holidays in Scotland(2021)
DATE / MONTH | DAY | HOLIDAY |
---|---|---|
1 January | Friday | New Year’s Day |
4 January | Monday | 2nd January(substitute day) |
2 April | Friday | Good Friday |
3 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
31 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
2 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
30 November | Tuesday | St Andrew’s Day |
27 December | Monday | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
28 December | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
Bank holidays in Northern Ireland(2021)
DATE / MONTH | DAY | HOLIDAY |
---|---|---|
1 January | Friday | New Year’s Day |
17 March | Wednesday | St Patrick’s Day |
2 April | Friday | Good Friday |
5 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
3 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
31 May | Monday | Spring bank holiday |
12 July | Monday | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) |
30 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
27 December | Monday | Christmas Day (substitute day) |
28 December | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
There are differences between England and Scotland when it comes to bank holidays. Whereas in England and Wales you are able to claim bank holidays up to five times a year, in Scotland you can claim them only once a year. Scotland also provides for more paid annual leave than England and Wales do. The laws relating to England and Wales also apply when it comes to bank holidays. Bank holidays are usually much cheaper, so it is well worth signing up for paid leave and getting some extra money for your annual leave.
This page contains a calendar of all 2022 bank holidays for the UK. These dates may be modified as official changes are announced, so please check back regularly for updates
Bank holidays in England and Wales(2022)
DATE / MONTH | DAY | HOLIDAY |
---|---|---|
3 January | Monday | New Year’s Day (substitute day) |
15 April | Friday | Good Friday |
18 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
2 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
2 June | Thursday | Spring bank holiday |
3 June | Friday | Platinum Jubilee bank holiday |
29 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
26 December | Monday | Boxing Day |
27 December | Tuesday | Christmas Day(substitute day) |
Bank holidays in Scotland(2022)
DATE / MONTH | DAY | HOLIDAY |
---|---|---|
3 January | Monday | New Year’s Day (substitute day) |
4 January | Tuesday | 2nd January (substitute day) |
15 April | Friday | Good Friday |
2 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
2 June | Thursday | Spring bank holiday |
3 June | Friday | Platinum Jubilee bank holiday |
1 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
30 November | Wednesday | St Andrew’s Day |
26 December | Monday | Boxing Day |
27 December | Tuesday | Christmas Day(substitute day) |
Bank holidays in Northern Ireland(2022)
DATE / MONTH | DAY | HOLIDAY |
---|---|---|
3 January | Monday | New Year’s Day(substitute day) |
17 March | Thursday | St Patrick’s Day |
15 April | Friday | Good Friday |
18 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
2 May | Monday | Early May bank holiday |
2 June | Thursday | Spring bank holiday |
3 June | Friday | Platinum Jubilee bank holiday |
12 July | Tuesday | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) |
29 August | Monday | Summer bank holiday |
26 December | Monday | Boxing Day |
27 December | Tuesday | Boxing Day (substitute day) |
How much do bank holidays cost?
Bank holidays do not have to be taken as a benefit, instead, an employee is usually entitled to them as a form of paid absence. This is different from being eligible for annual leave and is sometimes better thought out. Bank holidays are usually chosen to do some part-time work. If you are taking them as a form of statutory minimum leave entitlement then you will only be entitled to a specified number of days. In order to decide whether you are entitled to a bank holiday week or not you should contact the Employment Rights Clearinghouse.
Public holidays are a different thing altogether. You will usually be able to claim two weeks’ worth of bank holidays, not just one. So if you are looking for a Scotland bank holiday entitlement, make sure that you include two weeks as this is what you will be entitled to. There are a few other things that you should consider in order to make sure that you get the best holiday entitlement that you can.
Need Accountancy Support?
For information on bespoke training, or if you have any other questions for Makesworth Accountant, please fill in your details below