THE government has announced that there will be no additional bank holidays next year to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
Reports from the Daily Express suggested that ministers were considering extra holidays for Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day.
However, Downing Street has confirmed that the existing early May bank holiday on 5 May will be used for commemorative events, reported the BBC.
A spokesperson for the prime minister stated, “We will look to use the existing May Day bank holiday for commemorative events. We are committed to commemorating these nationally important occasions appropriately, which is why we have announced more than £10m to mark them.”
VE Day, on 8 May, commemorates the Allies' acceptance of Nazi Germany's surrender in 1945, while VJ Day, on 15 August, marks the surrender of Japan, which brought the war to an end. Next year’s 80th anniversaries are seen as significant milestones for surviving veterans.
Proposals to add new holidays for the celebrations were discussed, including extending the summer bank holiday in August or creating long weekends in May.
However, the government has opted against these suggestions, citing the impact on businesses and the economy.
Previous instances of adjusted or additional bank holidays included the 75th VE Day anniversary in 2020 and the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
Last year, an extra holiday was added for King Charles’s coronation.
Bob Blackman MP speaks during the event