People expecting to receive benefits and credits on Monday 19 September will be paid early
Benefits and credits will be paid on Friday 16 September, the last working day before the bank holiday
The Department for Work and Pensions and HM Revenue and Customs have put arrangements in place to ensure all benefits and credits due to be paid on this date – now a bank holiday for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral – will be delivered in advance.
People who are due to receive payments on Monday 19 September will instead be paid on Friday 16 September, the last working day before the State Funeral.
This arrangement follows standard DWP and HMRC protocol that sees benefit and credit payment dates brought forward in line with national bank holidays.
Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, will be a national bank holiday.
Monday 19 September will be a bank holiday to coincide with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral
bank holiday to mark the last day of the period of national mourning
Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, will be a national bank holiday.
This will allow individuals, businesses and other organisations to pay their respects to Her Majesty and commemorate Her reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning.
This bank holiday will operate in the same way as other bank holidays, and there is no statutory entitlement to time off. Employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.
The bank holiday will take place across the United Kingdom.
The bank holiday will be a unique national moment, and the UK Government would encourage employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take time off.
Does this bank holiday mean individuals can have the day off work?
This is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer. There is no statutory entitlement to time off for bank holidays, but employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.
The government cannot interfere in existing contractual arrangements between employers and workers. However, we would expect that many workers will be able to take the day off on the bank holiday. We also expect employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take the day of the funeral off work.
Some employment contracts ask individuals to work some Saturdays/bank holidays. Can these individuals take this bank holiday off work?
This is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer.
If an individual will have to work on the day of the funeral – can they take an additional day’s holiday another day?
This is a matter for discussion between you and your employer.
If an individual will have work on the day of the funeral – will they be paid extra?
This is a matter for discussion between you and your employer. There are no statutory rules regarding extra pay on bank holidays.
If an individual has annual leave booked for the day of the funeral – will they be able to reclaim this leave?
This is a matter for discussion between you and your employer.
Will this bank holiday apply everywhere in the UK?
Yes, this bank holiday will apply in all parts of the UK.
Is this an official bank holiday, or does it have a special status?
This bank holiday is official and applies in the same way as all others.
Was King George VI’s funeral a National Holiday?
No, King George VI’s funeral was not a bank holiday, but the government wants to help give as many people as possible the opportunity on the day of the State Funeral to mark Her Majesty’s passing and commemorate Her reign.
Will there be a bank holiday for the Coronation?
No decision has yet been made. A decision will be made nearer the time.
Will the bank holiday to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral be an annual holiday?
There are currently no plans for an annual holiday.
Will schools be closed on the day of the bank holiday?
Yes, schools will be closed, we are not asking them to remain open on the day of the bank holiday.
With the summer bank holiday due, we can expect to see that traditional spike in home improvement activity. In anticipation of this, the UK’s leading electrical certification body is cautioning homeowners against dabbling in dangerous electrical DIY.
According to research by NICEIC, more than three quarters (76%) of British households will attempt to do their own DIY in the home as opposed to using a professional; and that is in spite of 60% of respondents ranking their DIY skills as ‘average’ at best.
As a result of this, almost two thirds (64%) admit to having to call in a tradesperson to sort out a botched electrical job. Where a professional has been called in to rectify a DIY project which has gone wrong, almost one quarter of respondents (24%) have ended up with a bill in excess of £1,000 – but this has even exceeded £25,000 in some cases. Over a fifth (21%) wish they’d got a professional in to start with.
Ironically, a desire to save money is the main reason for Brits carrying out DIY themselves (69%) but 53% admitted to being happy to ‘have a go’ at DIY in the home without any prior experience or formal qualifications.
Paul Collins, Head of Technical Services at NICEIC, comments: “With the cost of living at unprecedented levels, it is hardly surprising to see that so many UK homeowners are willing to have a go when it comes to DIY as a way of saving money.
“However, a botched electrical job can easily lead to hefty costs and further underlying issues that may not become noticeable until it’s too late, putting UK homes and families in danger.
Martyn Allen, Technical Director for Electrical Safety First, adds: “There is only so much that online videos can tell you. Even watching the better ones will not give you the knowledge or experience to carry out more complicated tasks.
“Ask yourself: ‘If I have to Google this, should I really be doing it?’ If in any doubt, get a professional in – it could not only save you a lot of time and money in the long run, but could also avoid a serious electrical accident impacting you and your loved ones.”
Paul continues: “With almost two thirds of people admitting to calling out a professional when things go wrong, the message is clear – when it comes to electrics in the home, leave it to the professionals and use a certified electrical contractor such as those with the NICEIC.”
To find your nearest NICEIC Certified Contractor, visit NICEIC.
Hopes are high that as lockdown eases over the next few months, popular tourist destinations will see the return of much needed visitors to boost local economies.
With the early May Bank Holiday approaching, local authorities across the UK are ready to offer a warm welcome to visitors. But warnings have been made about a repeat of scenes from last year that saw a minority of motorists parking irresponsibly, causing chaos and frustration for residents and businesses in and around these visitor destinations.
These communities are now preparing for another year of managing the increased demand placed on staycation hotspots, including providing additional parking facilities in anticipation of the higher number of motorists.
As holiday makers, day trippers and shoppers make a return during the summer season, the parking sector, both public and private, believe everyone needs to play their part, by only parking where it is legally permitted, helping ensure that streets and communities are kept safe, free from congestion, and can be enjoyed by all.
Government is also being urged to increase the options and sanctions available to local authorities to tackle the worst offenders. These measures could see an increase in the top level of penalties as evidence from last summer shows that the current rates are not an effective deterrent to antisocial and selfish parking.
Caron Fassetta, Director of Communications and Membership at the British Parking Association said: “‘What we saw last year was unprecedented. And there is good reason to anticipate that some people will once again ignore the rules, causing obstruction, and endangering the lives of other road users, especially pedestrians.
“Safety is our top priority. If we all do what’s right, residents as well as visitors can enjoy the holiday season. In short, we’re asking motorists to ‘Be Kind – Park with others in mind‘.”
Richard Walker, Parking Partnership Group Manager at North Essex Parking Partnership expressed concern the situation could worsen if stronger action is not taken: “The real impact of so many people thinking antisocial behaviour and poor parking is acceptable is that it increases congestion, contributing to additional pollution and rising frustration from people living in these areas.
“Simply put – lives are at risk, as journey times for emergency vehicles get longer, disabled and visually impaired people, and parents with pushchairs are forced into the path of moving vehicles, and overcrowded destinations make it impossible for everyone to socially distance.”
The BPA’s Selfish Parker campaign encourages people to respect others and think before they park. Parking restrictions exist for a reason and ‘It’s not ok to park, where it’s not ok to park’.
The BPA has some top tips for those planning to visit tourist hot spots:
Plan your visit – search the location for parking facilities and if possible, book parking in advance.
Find alternatives – to the most popular parking locations by parking further away from your final destination, this could save you time too.
Park responsibly – only park where it is permitted, respect the people living in the community you are visiting and be kind.
Don’t obstruct – pavements, private driveways, or impede access for emergency vehicles.
Don’t litter – take it home with you or find a rubbish bin.
Don’t be idle – turn your engine off when in stationary traffic or when you are parked.
– The new box delivers an alfresco aperitivo directly to your doorstep –
– Includes snacks and can be ordered for next day delivery –
Morrisons is answering spritz lovers’ prayers as it launches a new Aperol Cocktail Box. Landing in time for the bank holiday, the box has been created alongside Aperol and Mionetto to make it easy for customers to whip up the ever-popular aperitivo, the Aperol Spritz.
The box includes everything required to create the ultimate summer cocktail: a 70cl bottle of Aperol to mix up with the light and refreshing Mionetto Prosecco, before being topped with Morrisons Soda Water. There’s even a loose orange included to garnish the spritz.
To accompany the drinks, the box also includes Morrisons The Best Gruyere & Poppy Seed Twists, Morrisons The Best Lightly Salted Crisps and Morrisons The Best nocellara Olives; for a taste of an Italian piazza from the comfort of your back garden.
Liam Challenger, Food Boxes Trading Manager at Morrisons said: “The first May bank holiday feels like the start of the British summer – and with foreign holidays still off the cards, our Aperol Cocktail Box can bring a taste of the continent to gardens and parks across the UK.
“The box includes everything customers need to make the classic, refreshing Italian spritz with carefully selected snacks to serve alongside.”
Morrisons limited-edition Aperol Cocktail Box costs £35 including next day delivery and is available now on the Morrisons food boxes website:
