Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

No extra bank holiday for 80th anniversary of WW2 end: Government

Downing Street has confirmed that the existing early May bank holiday on 5 May will be used for commemorative events.

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. (Photo: Getty Images)
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. (Photo: Getty Images)

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.

More For You

Brothers deny assaulting police during Manchester Airport brawl

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Brothers deny assaulting police during Manchester Airport brawl

TWO brothers accused of assaulting a man inside a Starbucks and later attacking police officers at Manchester Airport are standing trial, with the prosecution arguing they used "unlawful and extreme violence".

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, and his older brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, both from Rochdale, are said to have acted aggressively on July 23 last year while at the airport to pick up their mother, who had arrived on a flight from Qatar.

Keep ReadingShow less
Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less