Could May Day be moved to October?

Under new proposals currently being considered by the government, the May Day Bank Holiday could be moved to October.

The government is focusing on the date following pleas from tourism bodies to spread the bank holidays more evenly throughout the year, rather than having a glut in May.

If the tourism industry gets its way, the May Day Bank Holiday could be shifted to October and renamed Trafalgar Day or UK Day.

John Penrose, Tourism Minister, said, "Tourism businesses in the UK are brilliant at providing a quality experience for their customers all year round, but Government should play its part in helping them do so.

"An autumn bank holiday, possibly to be branded as a new UK Day, would not only help the industry but also give us all a new focus for celebrating the best of what this country does, and all the things that make us a world-class nation," he added.

However, Brendan Barber, General Secretary, said that, whilst he was aware of the 'strong support' for extra public holidays in the UK, the last thing needed was for the government to change established bank holidays that have been built into business schedules.

If the change to the May Day Bank Holiday does go ahead, it would not be implemented until 2013.