Petition · past parliament

The 23 June should be designated as Independence Day, and celebrated annually.

Closed 21,292 signatures

What the petition asks

If we leave the EU, the UK will be an independent country for the first time since 1974

Government response · 14 July 2016

There are no current plans to create another public holiday. Whilst an additional bank holiday may benefit some sectors, the cost to the economy of an additional bank holiday remains considerable.

Over the years there have been various suggestions from the public for new bank holidays, such as a new national day to promote a British identity to reflect the different histories and traditions which vary from country to country. The Government regularly receives requests for additional bank and public holidays to celebrate a variety of occasions. However, there are no current plans to create another permanent public holiday. The current pattern is well established and accepted. Whilst an additional bank holiday may benefit some communities and sectors, the cost to the economy of an additional bank holiday remains considerable.

The most recent assessment following an Impact Assessment (IA) for the additional holiday for the Diamond Jubilee is that a bank holiday (across the UK as a whole) costs employers around £1.2bn.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Debate in Parliament

MPs debated this petition on 17 October 2016.

Read the transcript · Watch the debate

Timeline

3 Mar 2016 Petition opened for signatures
25 Jun 2016 Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response
14 Jul 2016 Government responded
3 Sep 2016 Closed to new signatures
17 Oct 2016 Debated in Parliament

Key facts

Signatures 21,292
Status Closed
Opened 3 Mar 2016
Closed 3 Sep 2016
Response 14 Jul 2016
Debated 17 Oct 2016

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.