With the arrival of 2025, many people across the UK are preparing to mark the start of the new year, which also brings several bank holidays to look forward to. For those who claim benefits, these holidays could have significant effects on their payment schedules.
According to the Mirror, "There are numerous bank holidays scheduled for 2025, and if you're a benefits claimant, these could affect your payments." Indeed, it’s important for claimants to understand how these holidays might impact the receipt of their funds.
The upcoming bank holidays for England and Wales are as follows: January 1 (New Year’s Day), April 18 (Good Friday), April 21 (Easter Monday), May 5 (Early May bank holiday), May 26 (Spring bank holiday), August 25 (Summer bank holiday), December 25 (Christmas Day), and December 26 (Boxing Day). Scotland has its unique holidays, including January 2, August 4 (Summer bank holiday), and others, whereas Northern Ireland observes March 17 (St Patrick’s Day) and July 14 (Battle of the Boyne).
But how do these holidays impact benefit payments? The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) typically do not process benefits on bank holidays. Therefore, payments are often made earlier. Regardless of the change, claimants need not worry about their amounts being altered; the same total will be deposited as usual. The timing of benefits may, of course, vary depending on the type of benefit received. Universal Credit payments are made monthly, whereas Tax Credits can be disbursed weekly or every four weeks.
It’s clear how the timing of these bank holidays, particularly the early ones at the start of the year, could give claimants the chance to plan their finances accordingly. Benefits like Child Benefit, which is paid every four weeks on either Monday or Tuesday, and Carer’s Allowance, which follows suit on Mondays, need careful consideration to maintain cash flow around these dates.
A planned new bank holiday could also be introduced for 2025, according to the Daily Express. This year marks the 80th anniversaries of significant events in World War II: Victory in Europe Day on May 5 and Victory over Japan Day on August 15. While the specific weekend to extend to four days has not been decided yet, government discussions suggest this new holiday could be imminent.
Reflecting on how bank holidays provide hard-working Britons the opportunity to take time off, one source noted, "Every year, hard-working Brits enjoy a handful of days off thanks to bank holidays." The approach to extending this holiday could provide even more chances for reflection and remembrance of historical events, which many find meaningful.
While 2025 does not have any major national celebrations planned, it still presents multiple chances for people to rest and recharge alongside their benefit payments being adjusted accordingly. It’s worth keeping these dates at the forefront for both planning time off and managing the financial aspects of benefits throughout the year.
To summarize, bank holidays are not just days off for relaxation; they can also significantly alter when people receive their benefits. Minding these dates is important for effective budgeting, particularly for those reliant on these payments. With the potential for new announcements around extra holidays, 2025 looks to shape up as another year of opportunity and remembrance.