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| UK should make Eid and Diwali public holidays, MP argues | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 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 UK should show that it "embraces" the Muslim and Hindu faiths by making Eid and Diwali public holidays, Conservative MP Bob Blackman has said. |
| Mr Blackman is championing an e-petition demanding the change in Parliament, after it was 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. |
| Muslims and Hindus should have "the most important days in their faiths recognised in law", the petition says. | 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. |
| 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. | |
| "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." | "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." |
| 'Bigger considerations' | 'Bigger considerations' |
| Mr Blackman pressed ministers to reconsider during a debate in the House of Commons' secondary debating chamber of Westminster Hall. | Mr Blackman pressed ministers to reconsider during a debate in the House of Commons' secondary debating chamber of Westminster Hall. |
| He said the government's concern about cost was "valid". | 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." | "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". | 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. | "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." | "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. | 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? | "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. | "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." | "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." |
| But Business Minister Jenny Willott was not persuaded by the MP's case. | |
| "We are very lucky in this country to have such a hugely diverse and mixed and vibrant society that we all benefit from," she told MPs. | |
| "Faith groups play a hugely important role in making life better for other people and making communities a better place for people to live." | |
| But she emphasised ministers' concern about cost, and concluded: "The government does not believe that there should be a public holiday to mark these particular occasions. | |
| "I know that will disappoint some people." | |
| 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. |