WITH the new year in full swing, now is the perfect time to make note of important upcoming dates - including bank holidays.

       So, grab a pen and a diary, because we have everything you need to know about the next bank holiday in 2024 and the dates that are set to follow.

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       Bank holidays provide the perfect time to enjoy a well-deserved break Credit: Getty When is the next bank holiday in 2024?

       Whether you’re looking forward to a long Easter break or are planning ahead for the next August bank holiday, it’s important to know the upcoming dates.

       The next bank holiday in England, Scotland, and Wales will fall on March 29 - Good Friday.

       In Northern Ireland, the next bank holiday in 2024 is marked down in the calendar for Monday, March 18 - St Patrick’s Day.

       How many bank holidays are there in 2024?

       Bank holidays are slightly different across the four nations of the UK, therefore, it’s important to check the upcoming dates for where you live.

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       Typically in England and Wales, there are around eight public holidays in a year, while Scotland has nine and Northern Ireland has ten.

       In 2023, Brits enjoyed an extra bank holiday on Monday, May 8, to commemorate the coronation of King Charles.

       When are the bank holidays in 2024?

       Bank holidays provide the perfect time to enjoy a well-deserved break and some much-needed time off.

       Here’s the full list of upcoming bank holidays in 2024.

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       England and Wales March 29, 2024 - Good Friday April 1, 2024 - Easter Monday May 6, 2024 - Early May bank holiday May 27, 2024 - Spring bank holiday August 26, 2024 - Summer bank holiday December 25, 2024 - Christmas Day December 26, 2024 - Boxing Day Scotland March 29, 2024 - Good Friday May 6, 2024 - Early May bank holiday May 27, 2024 - Spring bank holiday August 5, 2024 - Summer bank holiday December 2, 2024 - St Andrew’s Day December 25, 2024 - Christmas Day December 26, 2024 - Boxing Day Northern Ireland March 18, 2024 - St Patrick’s Day March 29, 2024 - Good Friday April 1, 2024 - Easter Monday May 6, 2024 - Early May bank holiday May 27, 2024 - Spring bank holiday July 12, 2024 - Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) August 26, 2024 - Summer bank holiday December 25, 2024 - Christmas Day December 26, 2024 - Boxing Day What are bank holidays and what is their history?

       A bank holiday is a national public holiday in the UK and the Crown Dependencies, and in the Republic of Ireland.

       Bank holidays were first introduced by banker, politician and scientific writer Sir John Lubbock, who drafted the Bank Holiday Act in 1871 - which was repealed and replaced by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.

       Lubbock added Easter Monday, Whit Monday, the first Monday in August and Boxing Day to the two common law holidays that already existed - Good Friday and Christmas Day.

       Originally, it was just banks and financial buildings that closed on these dates, which is where the name “bank holiday” originates.

       Gradually, shops, businesses, schools, and the government also joined in on bank holidays.

       Do bank holidays mean no work?

       It’s up to your employer to decide whether or not you have to work on bank holidays.

       However, with a bit of planning it's possible to bag yourself an extended break by taking annual leave between bank holiday days.

       You can find out how to get 49 days of holiday in 2024 using just 21 days of annual leave here.

       Before you book time off, be aware your manager has to approve any holiday requests.

       Also, make sure that you have enough holidays available.

       Do I get paid for bank holidays?

       Most workers who work five days a week are legally entitled to 28 days' paid leave a year.

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       This is the equivalent of 5.6 working weeks of holiday.

       You can figure out how many days of holiday you are entitled to by taking the number of days a week you work and multiplying that number by 5.6.

       Everything you need to know about Bank Holidays

       Make sure you read this before heading out on a Bank Holiday.

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       Get all the other opening times and bank holiday news here.