Unions have called for workers to be given an extra three bank holidays a year.

With the May break coming up, the TUC on Tuesday gave a timely reminder that the UK has least bank holidays and statutory annual leave in Europe.

Our eight bank holidays a year lags behind Europe leaders, Spain and Portugal, with up to 14 days, Austria's 13 and Italy's 12. Workers in the United States have 13 days.

TUC general secretary John Monks urged the government to take action.

"UK workers have the shortest holidays and the lowest productivity in Northern Europe. So offering more holidays makes sense for employers too because well-rested workers are more productive. British workers need proper time off work as much as their European colleagues."