We'd bank on more bank holidays
We should be getting at least three more bank holidays a year to match our European counterparts, according to trade union leaders.
And the findings of a Trades Union Congress report received a warm response with shoppers in Gloucester when The Citizen took to the streets to test their views.
British workers enjoyed only eight bank holidays this year. This compared with Italians who got 12, Australians with 13 and the Spanish and Portuguese who got 14 bank holidays this year, the TUC report said.
Britons also had less paid annual holiday leave than any other workers, which, TUC general secretary John Monks said "shows that again British workers have been put to the bottom of the EU pile". He said: "THey need proper time off work as much as their European coleagues. UK workers have the shortest holidays and the lowest productivity in Northern Europe."
Kevin and Fran Grantham, on a day trip to Gloucester from Worcester, both agreed that there should be more bank holidays. Fran said: "We all worj really hard and we should be rewarded with more days off. It would give workers an incentive." Kevin said: "I would definitely like more days off, for pursuing leisure activities like hobbies and taking trips like this one to Gloucester."
Lee and Carey Russell, from Newent, also agreed. Lee said: "There is a hell of a lot more pressure in jobs nowadays. I help run the air cadets in Newent and having a bit more time off work would allow me to do more activites with them."
Carey said: I am a manager and from that point of view I would welcome more bank holidays as I think it rejuvenates people and makes them more productive at work."
Gavin Phillips, 21, from Gloucester, said: "Bank holidays are a good excuse for a day off work and I wouldn't mind more. It would be nice to spend a day in the pub or have a lie-in once in a while."
Francesca and Ross Preedy, aged nine and five, from Gloucester, said they would like to have an extra day off school. Ross said: "I'd play football all day!". And his sister Francesca said: "I would like to go swimming with my family.
Anne Harrison, visiting relatives in the country from Stoke-on-Trent, was the only person questioned who disagreed with the need for more bank holidays. She said: "There are enough bank holidays already. Everyone needs a break but having too many makes people not want to go back to work and is unsettling. It would also cost employers a lot of money and might hit businesses." Michelle Byrne.