The government has announced that the date of next year’s early May bank holiday is to move from Monday, 4 May to Friday, 8 May to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day. This is only the second time ever that the early May bank holiday has been moved – the first was in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day. There will be commemorative events taking place across the country over the three-day weekend to honour the sacrifice made by men and women during the Second World War. VE Day was first celebrated on 8 May 1945 when Allied Forces formally accepted Germany’s surrender.

The early May bank holiday will move in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, where it is achieved by a Royal Proclamation made under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. Bank holidays are a devolved issue in Scotland. However, Scottish Ministers have also confirmed the change of date on the Scottish government’s website.