With not another bank holiday until the end of August, are Brits in need of more time off? Two writers go head to head in this week’s Debate

YES: Rest fuels productivity

We often wear busyness like a badge of honour in the UK – long hours, short breaks and an always-on culture. Yet, despite working some of the longest hours in Europe, we rank low on productivity and even lower on wellbeing.

The answer isn’t to push harder; it’s to pause better. More bank holidays wouldn’t hurt the economy – they’d strengthen it. Countries like France and Germany have more public holidays than the UK, yet remain economic powerhouses. Japan, known for its innovation and discipline, has 16 national holidays. Rest, when structured well, doesn’t reduce performance. It fuels it.

Time away from work gives people the chance to reconnect with themselves, their families and their sense of meaning. That’s not just good for morale, it’s good for business. People who return from meaningful rest are more creative, more engaged and........

© City A.M.