Millions of workers win eight days extra holiday

Six million workers will get up to eight days extra holiday a year under rules that stop firms counting Bank Holidays as part of annual leave.

The first four extra days will come into force in October and the other four by April 2009.

Ministers say the changes will benefit 3.5million women and 2.5million men, including all part-time workers - who will be entitled to the extra holidays pro-rata.

Employment Relations Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "This extra time off will make a real difference in the lives of hard-working people.

"Businesses will benefit too - from reduced absenteeism and a workforce who are more motivated and productive."

Michael Leahy, general secretary of the Community trade union, said: "This is great news for nearly six million UK workers, whose employers have breached the spirit of the 20 days statutory holiday entitlement, brought in by this Labour government in 1998, by counting Bank Holidays as part of their statutory leave."

David Frost, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "The Government is right to tackle the counting of Bank Holidays as annual leave.

"It is counterproductive of businesses to deprive their workers of holidays that others who are employed get as a right."