Today would be a happy Monday for employees if proposals for extended bank holidays were to go ahead.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) are calling on the government to make this Autumn half-term Monday one of three new bank holidays.

The TUC believes that the economy would remain unaffected by increasing bank holidays, which would bring the U.K in line with the European average of 11 per year.

Furthermore, members of the UK's largest workers union believe extra time off work would have a positive effect on the economy as well as boost morale among employees.

Retail and tourism are two particular areas of the economy that the TUC believe would benefit from extra holidays as would people working excessive hours, a major cause of work related stress.

Brendon Barber, TUC general secretary, said: “If this Monday were a bank holiday millions of hard working families would be able to spend a day with their children during half term without taking extra leave.

“Millions of employees could give our leisure and retail industries a boost or take a long weekend away and help our tourism sector. Others could simply be enjoying a well-earned extra lie-in and a very happy Monday.”

In a recent online poll, conducted by WorkSMART.org.uk, 41 per cent of respondents named today as their preferred choice for a new bank holiday.

Almost one third opted for St George’s, St Andrew’s and St David’s Day while 11 per cent believed New Year’s Eve should be classed as a public holiday.

However, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) has criticised the proposals, believing the extra public holidays would prove too disruptive to businesses.

Nick Goulding, FPB chief executive, said: "Not only will the cost of this proposal be significant, it will also cause massive disruption.

“I am concerned that many conscientious businesses will feel compelled to give time off even though bank holidays are not a statutory requirement.

“Moreover having more bank holidays - and the TUC has previously said it would like three more a year - will just mean more days when government, councils and banks grind to a halt - all to the detriment of small businesses.”

Despite this the TUC is hoping that the government takes the proposals seriously as pressure during the 70’s led to the introduction of New Year’s Day and May Day as public bank holidays.