UK rejects national bank holiday for St Patrick's Day

The UK Government has rejected calls for a nationwide bank holiday on St Patrick’s Day. Business minister Justin Madders said the cost to the economy would be too high. He noted that a one-off holiday could cost around £2 billion. Madders was responding to a debate led by DUP MP Jim Shannon. Shannon expressed pride in celebrating St Patrick’s Day, emphasizing the holiday's significance to people across the UK. He argued that St Patrick could be a symbol of unity for everyone. During the discussion, Scottish MP Douglas McAllister humorously claimed that St Patrick was born in Scotland. He said he wanted to clarify the historical record on the saint's birthplace. Madders acknowledged the importance of St Patrick’s Day for many, particularly in Northern Ireland, where it is already a public holiday. However, he noted the established pattern of bank holidays in the UK and confirmed there are no plans to extend it further. While an additional holiday might benefit some sectors like hospitality and tourism, he reiterated that the financial impact on the economy would be significant.