A new campaign is being launched to create an additional public holiday for Great Britain. A survey of over 150 MPs found that more than half are supportive of introducing a new bank holiday with only a third of them opposing the idea.
Although the odds do seem to be in favour of the extra day being granted, the public will need to be proactive in the campaign to increase the chances of the Government making it a priority.
The campaign is being led by Thomas Cook which first founded the tourism and leisure industry more than 160 years ago.
It is the first commercial company to put pressure on the Government to approve an extra bank holiday and is currently urging the public to support this request by signing its petition.
Doing so will show officials just how important it is to the nation to have an extra day out of the office.
Compared to our European neighbours, Brits are at the bottom of the pile when it comes to bank holidays.
The French have 11, Germany have 15 and the Spanish have a massive 16 days a year. Slovenia tops the table with an impressive 18 days where as Brits are struggling on with just 8.
The only nation to have fewer bank holidays than Britain is Romania, that we only fared better than by half a day!
Interestingly, Scottish MPs are the most supportive of a new Bank Holiday with 85% in favour. This compares to just 54% of English and 51% of Welsh MPs.
Their reservations may well come down to the implications for businesses. Although this is a valid concern, the short-term business costs of an extra bank holiday may prove insignificant to the long-term costs to relationships and our health if we continuously choose work over time with our loved ones.
Thomas Cook is offering holidaymakers one free day on all their holidays booked between now and the end of March. It is this offer that first inspired the campaign for an additional bank holiday.