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MPs to debate bid to make Eid and Diwali public holidays MPs debate bid to make Eid and Diwali public holidays
(about 7 hours later)
MPs are set to debate an e-petition aiming to make Eid and Diwali public holidays in the UK. The UK should show that it "embraces" the Muslim and Hindu faiths by making Eid and Diwali public holidays, Conservative MP Bob Blackman has said.
The e-petition is being championed in Parliament by Conservative MP Bob Blackman, after being signed by more than 120,000 people. Mr Blackman is championing an e-petition demanding the change in Parliament, after it was signed by more than 120,000 people.
It is only fair that Muslims and Hindus have "the most important days in their faiths recognised in law", the petition argues. Muslims and Hindus should have "the most important days in their faiths recognised in law", the petition says.
The government has already rejected the e-petitioners' request.The government has already rejected the e-petitioners' request.
But Mr Blackman is to press ministers to reconsider during a debate in the House of Commons' secondary debating chamber of Westminster Hall, which is due to start at 16:30 BST.
He is expected to argue that a million people in Britain celebrate these holidays, and public holidays should not be restricted to Christian festivals.
'Considerable' cost
In its response to the petition the government said: "We are very aware of the importance of these festivals which are widely celebrated in the UK.In its response to the petition the government said: "We are very aware of the importance of these festivals which are widely celebrated in the UK.
"The government is committed to bringing people together in strong, united communities. We encourage and support people to have shared aspirations, values and experiences. Festivals such as Eid and Diwali contribute to this objective. "Whilst we appreciate a new national holiday may benefit some communities and sectors, the cost to the economy remains considerable and any changes to the current arrangements would not take place without a full consultation."
"We regret however that we cannot agree to create new bank or public holidays to mark these festivals. 'Bigger considerations'
"The government regularly receives requests for additional bank and public holidays to celebrate a variety of occasions including religious festivals. Mr Blackman pressed ministers to reconsider during a debate in the House of Commons' secondary debating chamber of Westminster Hall.
"However the current pattern is well established and accepted. Whilst we appreciate a new national holiday may benefit some communities and sectors, the cost to the economy remains considerable and any changes to the current arrangements would not take place without a full consultation." He said the government's concern about cost was "valid".
The MP for Harrow East said: "According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research each public holiday costs £2.3bn per day due to a loss of retail, commercial services, and other industries.
"So we're looking at an overall economic cost of just under £5bn if the Muslim faith and the Hindu faith were to be given one specified public holiday each, if the estimate is correct."
But, he continued, the think tank had also estimated that annual output would be raised by £19bn "if all public holidays were scrapped".
"That's not likely to happen. I can't believe any government would every dare to decide to cancel Christmas," Mr Blackman said.
"So we can't make a case for or against further public holidays just on the basis of money. If we did, we wouldn't have any public holidays at all."
There were "bigger considerations", he argued.
"Wouldn't it be a statement that we as a nation embrace these religions, and the people who hold them dear, and we are ready to recognise their place in our society?
"Creating these public holidays would be an important step towards promoting the understanding and tolerance of different faiths - not just at home, but abroad too.
"We want other nations to look to the UK for a good example of positive integration, and for highly skilled prospective immigrants to consider coming to our country with a sense that their faith is a respected part of their identity."
If an e-petition gets 10,000 signatures, it is eligible for a written response from the government, which is published alongside the original petition on the government's e-petitions website.If an e-petition gets 10,000 signatures, it is eligible for a written response from the government, which is published alongside the original petition on the government's e-petitions website.
If it reaches as many as 100,000 signatures, a parliamentary committee will consider whether it merits a Commons debate if an MP wants to propose one.If it reaches as many as 100,000 signatures, a parliamentary committee will consider whether it merits a Commons debate if an MP wants to propose one.