Overview
- The Government has confirmed the 2026 bank holiday calendars for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including a substitute day for Boxing Day on Monday, December 28.
- Buckingham Palace, in a February 4 proclamation under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, appointed Monday, June 15 as a bank holiday in Scotland to mark the men’s team at the World Cup.
- Practical observance in Scotland is split, with Edinburgh rejecting the June 15 day off and reporting that only five councils have approved it while 12 have denied it.
- Holiday dates still differ by nation, with Scotland not observing Easter Monday, Northern Ireland marking St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne, and Scotland keeping St Andrew’s Day and an earlier summer break on August 3.
- Time off for many workers and schools will depend on local council policies and employer contracts, which could affect public services and childcare planning on June 15.