Bank holiday needed 'to thank heroes'

A leading think tank has called on Gordon Brown to create an extra bank holiday in November to help boost national identity and thank community 'heroes'.

The Institute for Public Policy Research said that the new bank holiday - which should fall on the Monday after Remembrance Sunday - would serve as a national "thank you" and encourage people to give something back.

The think tank said the day should focus on awarding honours to "ordinary people" who had made a significant contribution to the community.

"We need a day when people 'give something back' to their communities and celebrate the diversity and pluralism of modern Britain," said IPPR research director Kate Stanley.

"Awarding civic honours on a single national day would be a national 'thank you' for the many thousands of citizens who go out of their way to help others."

The IPPR report, to be published next month, also says the day should be a celebration of Britain's diversity.

Meanwhile, trade unions and voluntary workers have called for a "community day" in October to enable people to celebrate contributions to the "fabric of Britain".

The Trades Union Congress and several voluntary groups - including the National Council for Voluntary Organisations - said that the day would encourage long-term volunteering, enable community groups publicise their work and help people recognise the importance of voluntary work.

TUC deputy general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "A new community day would plug the long gap between bank holidays, give parents a day off at half term but most importantly provide a real celebration of what's best about Britain - the strength and cohesion provided by people getting involved in communities and voluntary groups, including unions."

However, businesses have warned the proposals could cost the economy up to £6bn.

"The idea of celebrating national heroes is a positive one, but there is no reason this couldn't be done on an existing bank holiday," said Neil Carberry, head of employment policy at the CBI.