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27/08/2007
Call For New Bank Holiday To Celebrate 'Britishness'
The UK should have an additional bank holiday to celebrate Britishness and thank community heroes, a think tank report has urged.
The report by the Institute for Public Police Research, which is due to be published next month, suggests that a new bank holiday should be introduced on the Monday after Remembrance Sunday - which would fall on November 12 this year.
The report says that the new bank holiday would help the Prime Minister's attempt to build a British national identity and that it could also act as a national 'thank you' for community heroes, such as John Smeaton, the baggage handler who intervened in the attempted Glasgow airport terrorist attack, and emergency service workers who helped people stranded by July's flooding, as well as a national 'ask' for people to give back to their communities.
The report also suggests that the honours system should be simplified to just three different grades instead of the current 21 honours and that titles should no longer refer to the British Empire.
It argues that the awarding of civic honours should no longer be mixed up with political appointments and that the link between elitism and the honours system should be broken by ending the tradition of awarding automatic honours to senior civil servants.
Kate Stanley, IPPR Director of Research, said: "We need a day when people 'give something back' to their communities and celebrate the diversity and pluralism of modern Britain. Awarding civic honours on a single national day would be a national 'thank you' for the many thousands of citizens who go out of their way to help others."
However, Neil Carberry, head of employment policy at the CBI, said that although the idea of celebrating national heroes was a "positive one", there was "no reason" why this could not be done on an existing bank holiday.
Mr Carberry said that an extra bank holiday could cost the economy up to £6 billion.
(KMcA)
The report by the Institute for Public Police Research, which is due to be published next month, suggests that a new bank holiday should be introduced on the Monday after Remembrance Sunday - which would fall on November 12 this year.
The report says that the new bank holiday would help the Prime Minister's attempt to build a British national identity and that it could also act as a national 'thank you' for community heroes, such as John Smeaton, the baggage handler who intervened in the attempted Glasgow airport terrorist attack, and emergency service workers who helped people stranded by July's flooding, as well as a national 'ask' for people to give back to their communities.
The report also suggests that the honours system should be simplified to just three different grades instead of the current 21 honours and that titles should no longer refer to the British Empire.
It argues that the awarding of civic honours should no longer be mixed up with political appointments and that the link between elitism and the honours system should be broken by ending the tradition of awarding automatic honours to senior civil servants.
Kate Stanley, IPPR Director of Research, said: "We need a day when people 'give something back' to their communities and celebrate the diversity and pluralism of modern Britain. Awarding civic honours on a single national day would be a national 'thank you' for the many thousands of citizens who go out of their way to help others."
However, Neil Carberry, head of employment policy at the CBI, said that although the idea of celebrating national heroes was a "positive one", there was "no reason" why this could not be done on an existing bank holiday.
Mr Carberry said that an extra bank holiday could cost the economy up to £6 billion.
(KMcA)
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18 August 2009
Strike May Hit Bank Holiday Air Travellers
Airports may be left in chaos should proposed industrial action get the go-ahead. As the August Bank Holiday weekend looms, travellers may be facing the nightmare of both baggage handlers and check-in staff refusing to work. The dispute is set to hit all three of the UK's busiest airports where staff are being balloted for industrial action.
Strike May Hit Bank Holiday Air Travellers
Airports may be left in chaos should proposed industrial action get the go-ahead. As the August Bank Holiday weekend looms, travellers may be facing the nightmare of both baggage handlers and check-in staff refusing to work. The dispute is set to hit all three of the UK's busiest airports where staff are being balloted for industrial action.
15 July 2003
Childcare charges rise over summer holidays
Families face a huge rise in the cost of summer holiday childcare, according to a new survey published today by the national childcare charity, Daycare Trust. The typical weekly cost of a place for a child in a summer holiday play scheme is set to rise by 16%, according to the report. Currently, the typical cost for childcare is £67.
Childcare charges rise over summer holidays
Families face a huge rise in the cost of summer holiday childcare, according to a new survey published today by the national childcare charity, Daycare Trust. The typical weekly cost of a place for a child in a summer holiday play scheme is set to rise by 16%, according to the report. Currently, the typical cost for childcare is £67.
15 May 2015
Rail Workers To Strike On Bank Holiday Monday
Network Rail workers are to strike over bank holiday Monday, it has been announced. The strike will be held on 25 May and last for 24 hours. The UK-wide action will see signallers, maintenance staff and station workers strike in a row over pay. The action follows a vote for industrial action by members of the union RMT.
Rail Workers To Strike On Bank Holiday Monday
Network Rail workers are to strike over bank holiday Monday, it has been announced. The strike will be held on 25 May and last for 24 hours. The UK-wide action will see signallers, maintenance staff and station workers strike in a row over pay. The action follows a vote for industrial action by members of the union RMT.
28 May 2014
Inmate Wayne McLeod Caught After Absconding From Prison
Police have caught 36-year-old prisoner Wayne McLeod, the third prisoner to abscond from jail over the bank holiday weekend. He went on the run from Springhill open prison in Grendon Underwood, Buckinghamshire, between 5.15pm and 8.15pm on Sunday, according to Thames Valley Police.
Inmate Wayne McLeod Caught After Absconding From Prison
Police have caught 36-year-old prisoner Wayne McLeod, the third prisoner to abscond from jail over the bank holiday weekend. He went on the run from Springhill open prison in Grendon Underwood, Buckinghamshire, between 5.15pm and 8.15pm on Sunday, according to Thames Valley Police.
02 August 2010
Pre-Notting Hill Carnival Operation Underway
A four-week crackdown on troublemakers begins today as the Met Police get ready for trouble-makers ahead of this year's Notting Hill Carnival. They said that the eyes of the world turn to west London over the August bank holiday weekend and the Met works hard throughout the year to ensure carnival is not marred by crime.
Pre-Notting Hill Carnival Operation Underway
A four-week crackdown on troublemakers begins today as the Met Police get ready for trouble-makers ahead of this year's Notting Hill Carnival. They said that the eyes of the world turn to west London over the August bank holiday weekend and the Met works hard throughout the year to ensure carnival is not marred by crime.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
