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Unions call for an extra bank holiday in October
Last updated at 14:22pm on 25.05.07
Extra holiday: Unions call for an October bank holiday
Britain should have a new national bank holiday to give people the chance to do voluntary work, campaigners have said.
The TUC and a number of voluntary organisations want the new bank holiday to be in October.
Union chiefs said the day could also provide an opportunity for the country to recognise the importance of volunteers and community groups.
A new holiday at the end of October would appeal to incoming prime minister Gordon Brown, the groups argued, as he has called for a new day to bring the people of Britain together to celebrate their shared values.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “This is an idea whose time has come. It will encourage more community involvement, celebrate our shared values as a nation, and help meet the holiday gap between Britain and the rest of Europe, but in a constructive way. It's a great opportunity for a new prime minister to make a mark in history.”
It comes as an estimated 18 million people are set to take the nation's roads for the bank holiday weekend.
