A significant update has been made in response to the push for St George’s Day to be designated as an official Bank Holiday.

St George’s Day has been acknowledged in England since the 9th century and evolved into a prominent feast and national holiday by the 15th century, with school children learning about the Patron Saint of England.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn proposed the addition of four new Bank Holidays in 2017, one for each patron saint of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Various campaigns have advocated for St George’s Day to become an official Bank Holiday. An archived petition on the government’s website highlighted disparities in the number of bank holidays compared to other European countries.

In response to inquiries in 2024, then-Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer cited economic concerns as a barrier to implementing a new Bank Holiday for St George’s Day. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also refrained from committing to the idea.

Sir Keir emphasized the importance of focusing on national progress amidst economic challenges, expressing a vision for a government dedicated to serving the country and fostering national renewal.

A government spokesperson recently disclosed to the Express that introducing an additional Bank Holiday, similar to the one created for the King’s Coronation in 2023, would cost approximately £2 billion for the UK. Consequently, there are currently no intentions to convert the April 23 date into a Bank Holiday.

The spokesperson affirmed the pride in celebrating all patron saints but indicated that the existing bank and public holiday schedule is well-established, with no immediate plans for alterations.