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TUC calls on government to ‘do the right thing’ and grant special bank holiday if Lionesses win the World Cup
England fans celebrate following a screening of the Women's World Cup 2023 semi-final at Box Park Croydon, London, August 16, 2023

THE TUC has called on the government “to do the right thing” and grant a special bank holiday if England’s women win the football World Cup.

The union body says people should be given at least an extra day off if the Lionesses are victorious against Spain on Sunday.

But ministers said today that no plans were in place for an extra day off if the Lionesses triumph.

The TUC highlighted how workers in England and Wales get just eight bank holidays a year, fewer than any EU country.

Fellow World Cup finalists Spain get the European average of 12 public holidays.  

Meanwhile, workers in France get three additional public holidays a year, while workers in Sweden get 13 days — equivalent to an extra week off.

Slovakia, Slovenia and Finland top the table with 15 days each, enjoying nearly twice as many public holidays as their British counterparts.

The TUC believes that all of Britain’s workers should get 12 days of public holiday a year — an extra four days.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “We all hope our amazing Lionesses can get over the line on Sunday.

“And if they do bring it home the government should do the right thing and allow the country to celebrate with a special bank holiday.

“The TUC has long called for more public holidays and it’s time to make this happen.

“Come on England!”

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