Annual leave entitlement increase

The government has published new regulations to boost the minimum holiday entitlement from 20 days a year to 24 days this October, and to 28 days from April 2009.The extra holidays will benefit up to 3.5million women and 2.5million men.

The regulations will stop firms including bank holidays in the annual leave entitlement of staff. At present, it is legal for firms to deduct up to eight bank holidays from their staff's annual leave entitlement.

From October it will be legal to only deduct four bank holiday days, and by April 2009 the right to deduct will be removed altogether.

Jim Fitzpatrick (pictured), the Department of Trade and Industry’s employment relations minister, says: "This extra time off will make a real difference in the lives of hard-working people - a proper rest from work and more time to spend with their families and friends.

"Businesses will benefit too - from reduced absenteeism and a workforce who are more motivated and productive."