The government has confirmed there are no plans for a bank holiday if England's women's football team win the World Cup final against Spain on Sunday. The Lionesses secured their place in the final with a 3-1 victory over Australia on Wednesday.
Despite calls from fans for an extra day off to celebrate a potential victory, a government spokesperson said: 'The current pattern of public and bank holidays is well established and there are no plans to change this.' The spokesperson added that winning the World Cup would be 'a massive moment for the country' and that the government would 'find the right way to celebrate'.
England and Wales currently have eight bank holidays a year, the fewest in the UK. Scotland has nine and Northern Ireland ten. The UK had an extra bank holiday in May for the King's coronation.
King Charles III congratulated the team, saying both England and Australia 'have been an inspiration on and off the pitch'. Prince William, president of the Football Association, will not travel to Australia for the final, which kicks off at 11am BST.
