Bank Holidays (Wales) Bill [HL]

Key Points

• It seeks to devolve the power to designate bank holidays to Wales by amending the Government of Wales Act 2006.
• Wales would be able to set its own bank holidays independently of UK-wide decisions.
• The change would affect Wales-specific calendars for workers, schools and public services.
• The bill is in the very early stages of passage, having only its first reading in the Lords (as of 30 November 2022).
• It forms part of devolution and economic policy, aligning holiday decisions with Welsh government powers.

Progress

The bill is at the initial stage of passage, currently at the 1st reading in the Lords; it has not yet progressed to committee stage, the Commons, or further readings.