Extra Bank Holiday Petition Gets Over 500,000 Signatures

More than half a million people signed a petition being handed into Downing Street last week asking for an extra day off work, which has been supported by trade unions, politicians and other groups.The petition was organised by holiday firm Thomas Cook.

Spokesman Simon Carter said:We felt it was important to present our petition at a point when the ground swell was gathering momentum,it’s clearly a subject that’s close to the hearts of many in both the political and public arena...We feel so strongly about this that we have already introduced an extra day off for all Thomas Cook employees. As a major UK employer, if we are prepared to take on the financial consequences we think the Government should consider taking action too."

The TUC is calling for a new day to be introduced and the National Remembrance Holiday petition on the Downing Street petition site has now reached 517,000 signatures too.

Shona McIsaac MP for Cleethorpes, Immingham and Barton has tabled a private members bill in the House of Commons supporting an extra bank holiday while the publication of the former Attorney General’s report on citizenship includes a recommendation to introduce a public holiday to celebrate Britishness.