Boris and Carrie Johnson back call for Thank Holiday – an extra day off every year from 2023 in gratitude of the Queen’s amazing 70 years on the throne
- Campaigners are calling for an extra permanent public holiday from 2023
- The ‘Thank Holiday’ would honour the Queen’s extraordinary 70 years of service
- Supporters include PM Boris Johnson and wife Carrie, the Confederation of British Industry and the Scouts
- The Queen will on Sunday mark her accession to the throne in 1952
A campaign for an extra permanent bank holiday to honour the Queen’s extraordinary 70 years of service has the backing of Boris and Carrie Johnson, it has been reported.
It is understood the Prime Minister and his wife are ‘highly supportive’ of a new ‘Thank Holiday’ starting in 2023.
The plan would in effect make the extra public holiday introduced for this year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations permanent.
Backers for the proposal already include the Confederation of British Industry, the Royal Voluntary Service and the Scouts.
A campaign for an extra permanent bank holiday to honour the Queen’s extraordinary 70 years of service has the backing of Boris and Carrie Johnson
It is understood the Prime Minister and his wife are ‘highly supportive of the idea’ of a new ‘Thank Holiday’ starting in 2023
As well as enjoying the support of business and volunteering groups, an insider told The Telegraph that Mr and Mrs Johnson ‘are highly supportive of the idea’.
It would also be a recognition of the service of the millions who have stepped up to serve their communities during the pandemic.
The campaign for the ‘Thank holiday’ is being launched today by the Together coalition ahead of the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne on Sunday.
This year’s additional bank holiday is on Friday June 3, as part of a four-day weekend of celebrations.
No firm date is being proposed for the permanent extra holiday, but one option could be creating a Bank Holiday weekend around the Queen’s official birthday, which is usually celebrated on the second Saturday in June.
The campaign for the ‘Thank holiday’ is being launched today by the Together coalition ahead of the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne on Sunday. Pictured: The Queen on her Sandringham Estate
Alternatives could include dates linked with Sir Winston Churchill’s birthday on November 30, Trafalgar Day on October 21, or the foundation of the NHS on July 5.
Proposals are set to be presented to ministers shortly.
Tony Danker, the director general of the CBI, said proposed extra day: ‘Business is keen to support and we will work with the campaign’s supporters and employers to make it a real success.’
Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC, said an extra public holiday every year would be ‘a great way to thank workers across the UK for getting us through these tough times’.
Meanwhile Chief Scout Bear Grylls said: ‘The Queen deserves our thanks for her incredible lifetime of service, and so do millions more across the country for their own daily acts of sacrifice, love and support.’
A UK Government spokesman said: ‘Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee will be a unique national celebration to mark her remarkable, dedicated and continued service to the United Kingdom.
Her Majesty is expected to spend Accession Day, on February 6, with her family during an extended break at Wood Farm cottage on Sandringham and will mark her Platinum Jubilee in private
‘To mark this special occasion, the spring bank holiday in 2022 will move to Thursday 2 June 2022 and there will be an additional, UK-wide bank holiday on 3 June 2022.’
This year in Scotland the late May Bank Holiday will be moved from Monday May 30 to Thursday June 2 and an additional bank holiday has been created on Friday June 3.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: ‘The First Minister has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is appropriately recognised with an extended bank holiday in 2022 in Scotland.
‘The people of Scotland will have access to this long weekend in early June to enjoy community-led celebratory events.’
England and Wales have eight bank holidays – compared with the EU average of 12.8 days off. Scotland has 11 bank holidays while Northern Ireland has 10.
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