If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a “substitute day” (usually the following Monday) is declared a bank holiday.
13:20, 31 May 2026Updated 13:23, 31 May 2026
Substitute bank holiday confirmed for England after Scotland gets bonus one in June
A substitute bank holiday has been announced for England – after Scotland was given a bonus one in June. In the UK, if a bank holiday falls on a weekend, a “substitute day” (usually the following Monday) is declared a bank holiday.
For example, in 2026, Boxing Day (26 December) falls on a Saturday. It means the substitute bank holiday for Boxing Day will be Monday, 28 December.
The next bank holiday in England and Wales is 31 August. This is known as the ‘Summer bank holiday’. This is followed by bank holidays over Christmas, namely Christmas Day on December 25, and then Boxing Day, on December 28.
READ MORE Next bank holiday brought forward with bonus one in June confirmed
Remember, your employer does not have to give you paid leave on bank or public holidays. And bank holidays might affect how and when your benefits are paid.
In Scotland, the next bank holiday is in two weeks – thanks to the FIFA World Cup.
The Scottish Government has designated Monday 15 June 2026 as a national bank holiday to celebrate Scotland’s participation in the FIFA Men’s World Cup.
But North Ayrshire Council staff will no longer give workers the day off. Councillor Chloe Robertson said: “It’s quite disappointing that the call-in has come in as health and social care staff work really hard and I think they deserved that recognition.”
Councillor Christina Larsen said the cabinet had decided to accept the decision of a council committee.
“We want to highlight how much we very much appreciate our staff. The decision to accept the recommendation is absolutely no reflection on them,” she said.
As is the case with other bank holidays in Scotland, there is no law requiring banks or any other businesses to close.
Employer policy regarding bank holidays will be set out in contracts of employment, Social Security Scotland has reminded households.