The UK Government has confirmed it will not be declaring an additional Bank Holiday on Monday, 6th July, despite the late kick-off time for England's World Cup round of 16 clash against Mexico. The match is scheduled to start at 1am, leaving fans facing a difficult Monday morning after England's victory over DR Congo.
Match Details and Fan Impact
Following Harry Kane's brace against Congo, Thomas Tuchel's England side will face co-hosts Mexico in the next stage of the World Cup. The match kicks off in the early hours of Monday, July 6, prompting calls for a day off. However, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has stated that no extra Bank Holiday will be granted, though it has encouraged local councils to consider extended licensing hours for pubs and bars to broadcast the match.
Government Position on Bank Holiday
The Government has written to local councils urging them to consider special applications for extended licensing hours. A spokesperson told the Express: "The Government is backing the England team all the way, but the current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established." This follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's reluctance to commit to a Bank Holiday should England reach the final, which would fall on Monday, 20th July.
Comparison with Scotland
Scotland has already benefited from an extra Bank Holiday for this World Cup, granted by the Scottish Government on Monday, June 15, to mark the national team's first World Cup appearance in decades. This has led to comparisons and questions about why England fans are not receiving similar treatment.
Prime Minister's Comments
At the G7 summit in France, Sir Keir Starmer was asked about a potential Bank Holiday for an England World Cup win. He told reporters he was reluctant to 'jinx' it, but noted that England's 1966 victory also occurred under a Labour government. He said: "I'm not going to jinx the World Cup. But, you know, the last time we won the World Cup, it was a Labour government. And so it's absolutely clear that we only win World Cups under a Labour government. So let's hope that this is the next opportunity."
