From 1871 to 1964 the August Bank Holiday would’ve been on Mon 4th August(England & Wales)
The Debate about the August Bank Holiday (House of Commons March 1964)
In March 1964 Edward Heath, Tory Secretary of State for Industry proposed a temporary change to the date of the August Bank Holiday in England and Wales (not Scotland) from the first Monday of the month to the last. Ireland (26 Counties) also kept the original 1871 date.
The change was made permanent in 1971.
Ray Gunter Labour spokesman in response to Heath revealed some of the underlying reasons for the change. There had clearly been pressure both from the TUC and industry to change the focus of holidays from being the first two weeks of August. Presumably the idea was to extend the holiday season to the benefit of the leisure industry (itself relatively young at this point) and also allow for cheaper holidays outside of the early August period
The Holidays With Pay Act (1938) had allowed for one week’s paid holiday by law in some areas of industry. After the war the holiday issue became the subject of political discussion. The responsible Labour Minister Harold Wilson rejected plans for a new seaside holiday town. However a confidential TUC report argued that the reason why there was so much focus on the early August period for holidays was that the statutory week could become ten days with the addition of the Bank Holiday. It felt that the staggering of holidays across July to September was preferable.
Hansard 4th March 1964: The August Bank Holiday
Mr. Gunter
Is the Minister aware that industry, in particular, will welcome his announcement? I am very glad that he is catching up with events, because it is more than a decade since the Trades Union Congress asked the Government to consider this very question.
The alteration in the date of August Bank Holiday will not of itself alter the habits of industry. Quite a section of industry, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, is already conditioned to regarding the first fortnight in August as the most desirable time for its holidays.
The Secretary of State said that the Minister of Labour will continue to explore the possibilities of spreading the holiday season. What consultations have already taken place, and what form will future consultations take, to persuade industry to break, to a great extent at least, from its idea that August is the only month possible?
Mr. Heath (Secretary of State for Industry)
There were consultations through the National Joint Advisory Committee, with the Regional Boards for Industry, and with the Trades Union Congress. I think that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour will wish to use all the channels open to him in continuing these discussions.
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