Proposed Saint David's Day bank holiday
Saint David's Day (Welsh: Dydd Gŵyl Dewi (Sant)) is currently not a bank holiday in Wales.
The UK Government had stated that designating the day would not be feasible due to the large numbers of commuters crossing the England–Wales border, as well as the economic impact of the proposal and no clear support from business groups.
In response to the UK Government's refusal, some public bodies in Wales have unofficially designated the day to be a holiday for their staff.
Wales and England have only eight public holidays, compared to the European average of twelve, Scotland's nine and Northern Ireland's ten.
[3] Powers to designate public holidays in England and Wales are held by the UK Government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Jack Straw, then Home Secretary also opposed the idea, citing he was confused over whether the proposal also extends to England.
[13][14] In 2000, the then National Assembly for Wales (now Senedd) voted unanimously in support for the granting of St David's Day to be a bank holiday.
[3] In April 2001, hopes were initially raised for the proposal following The Sunday Times' claims that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), would announce a new bank holiday for 2003.
The DTI later dismissed the claims, stating there are no plans to introduce a new holiday in 2003, aside the day of the Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II would be one in 2002.
The holiday's designation for council staff ended in 2015 following the formal adoption of a single status (job evaluation).
[2] Carmarthenshire County Council has asked for an all-Wales approach to a St David's Day bank holiday.
[35] On 27 January 2022, Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) announced they would also lobby the Welsh and UK Governments for a St David's Day bank holiday.
"[38] In February 2022, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, announced it was to look at a potential day off for its staff in an assembled report into the proposal.
[2] By late February, thirteen social enterprises in Wales announced they would give their staff a day off on 1 March 2022.
[40] Including the charity People and Work in Cardiff and Pentre (Rhondda), saying that its decision reflected the changing face of Wales.
The committee broadly supported the idea of a bank holiday, but "felt it was up to the Welsh Government to continue its campaign".
Economically, they argue that the bank holiday would potentially lead to a boost to the Welsh economy, tourism, and increase the international appeal of Wales.
[15] Ben Cottam, the head of Wales' Federation of Small Businesses stated, "There is a benefit in capitalising on the brand on St David's Day.
"[48] Culturally, supporters say the day would provide an opportunity to celebrate Wales as a whole, Welsh historical events, traditions, heritage, and the life of St David.
"[51] Non-party-political pro-independence movement group YesCymru have voiced their support for a St David's Day public holiday.
[53] A Senedd debate was held on 2 March 2022, following the UK Government's rejection of a St David's Day bank holiday.
[31][32][33] Powers to designate public holidays in Wales are held by the UK Government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The UK Government has resisted calls for a public holiday in Wales every 1 March, and does not have plans to change arrangements.
[57] In December 2021, the government claimed that there were too many people commuting across the border between Wales and England, for the public holiday to be economically feasible.
[57][58][59] The UK government also stated that Scotland and Northern Ireland have an extra holiday because of their "different histories, economic, social, cultural and legal systems".
[61] In 2022, Simon Hart, Conservative MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire and Welsh Secretary, stated he is opposed to the idea.
[64] The UK Government responded stating that there are no plans to make St David's Day a bank holiday due to its considerable cost to the economy.
