England's Euro 2025 Triumph

England's national football team, the Lionesses, have once again made history by reaching the final of Euro 2025. After a dramatic extra-time victory over Italy in the semi-finals, they are set to face Spain in the final on Sunday, with a 17:00 BST kick-off.

Government's Stance on Bank Holiday

Despite the team's incredible achievement, the Prime Minister's spokesperson has confirmed that there are "no plans" for an extra bank holiday should England win. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised the team as "an inspiration to the nation" but stopped short of declaring a public holiday.

Extended Pub Hours

To accommodate fans wishing to celebrate, pub licensing hours will be extended to 01:00 BST after the match. The government has also assured that the Lionesses will be celebrated on their return, regardless of the final result.

Calls for a Bank Holiday

The Liberal Democrats have urged the government to mark the team's "talent, success, and historic achievement" with a public bank holiday. Their culture, media, and sport spokesperson, Max Wilkinson, stated, "Fans and patriots across the country deserve the chance to celebrate the talent, success, and historic achievement of this amazing team."

Historical Context

This is not the first time such calls have been made. When England won the Euros for the first time in 2022, there was no bank holiday. Starmer, then leader of the opposition, backed the idea of a "proper day of celebration." He reiterated this belief when England reached the World Cup final in 2023, suggesting a celebratory bank holiday if the Lionesses brought home the trophy.

Government's Silence

BBC Sport reached out to the government for a response to this apparent change in stance, but they declined to comment further.

Conclusion

As England prepares for the final, the debate over a bank holiday continues. While the government focuses on celebrating the team's return, fans and politicians alike hope for a more formal recognition of this historic achievement.