Unions to continue holiday campaign

The TUC said this year's Christmas Day and Boxing Day will be the first that "Scrooge" bosses will not be able to count against the minimum four weeks' paid holidays every worker is entitled to receive.

Officials praised the Government for closing the "loophole" as it announced a staged increase of extra holidays up to April 2009.

The new right means that staff who work on a bank holiday will now get an extra day's leave on top of their four-week minimum entitlement.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "This is another victory for union campaigning. Without unions there would be no European minimum, we would not have four extra days from October and we would have fewer bank holidays. Union members also get better holidays, an average of 29 days compared to 22 days for non-members.

"No-one should forget that when employer organisations and Euro-sceptics talk about red tape and burdens on business they mean holiday rights such as these. I hope all of those who benefit this year will be decorating their Christmas trees with red tape to celebrate.

"But the campaigning goes on. We still want UK workers to have more bank holidays to catch up with the European average, and are backing a new Community Day bank holiday in October that will celebrate and encourage community and volunteer activity."

Employment relations minister Pat McFadden said: "These changes will help bring some extra Christmas cheer to millions of people who have worked hard all year and deserve a break to relax and spend time with their families and friends.

"Most full-time workers already receive 20 days or more paid leave, not counting bank holidays, and many part-timers receive an equivalent entitlement.

"Those who do not are likely to be in lower paid occupations. These changes will help ensure a fair deal on leave for all full-time staff."