Bank Holiday Pay:
Double Time & Lieu Days
Working the Public Holiday? Understand your Regulation 26 entitlements, calculate your gross pay, and verify your day back.
Regulation 26: The statutory framework for police public holiday working.
Executive Summary
Public holiday working is paid at Double Time.
For most, it also triggers a 'Day Back' entitlement.
Police Regulation 26 provides a robust framework for officers required to sacrifice their bank holidays for public service. Unlike standard overtime, which is often 1.33x or 1.5x, bank holidays are protected at a 2.0x multiplier.
Key triggers for pay and lieu days:
Double Time Calculator
Model your shift earnings and verify your lieu day entitlement.
Regulation 26 Logic
Bank Holiday Pay Checker
Estimated Gross Pay
£0.00
Double Time (2.0x)
Lieu Day Entitlement
+0 Hours
Re-rostered day in lieu
Note:Working a rostered bank holiday earns pay AND a day back.
Disclaimer: Estimates only. Based on Police Regulation 26. Force-specific variations (e.g. Met shift patterns) may apply. Confirm with your Federation rep.
Regulation 26 Deep Dive
For Constables and Sergeants, the rules regarding public holidays are fixed. Understanding whether you are "Rostered to Work" or "Working a Rest Day" is critical for claiming correctly.
The 'Rostered' Rule
If you were originally scheduled to work on the bank holiday, you are entitled to Double Time pay for every hour worked. Additionally, the bank holiday is "re-rostered," meaning you are granted a full day of leave in lieu to be taken later.
The 'Lesser Notice' Recall
When forced to work with less than 8 days' notice (standard recall rules), many forces apply a minimum claim of 4 hours at double time, regardless of whether you actually worked the full 4 hours. This protects against short-notice disruption.
Why Inspectors
Don't Get Paid
Regulation 26 treats Inspecting ranks significantly differently.
Inspectors and Chief Inspectors are typically not entitled to overtime payments. For Bank Holidays, they generally receive "Equivalent Time Off" rather than double pay. This means an Inspector sacrifices their holiday for a future rest day, but receives no financial uplift.
Rank Difference
Sergeants claim cash; Inspectors claim TOIL.
The 3 Pillars of Public Holiday Pay
Double Time (2.0x)
The gold standard of police pay. Every hour worked is paid at double your standard hourly rate. This applies to both casual overtime and rostered shifts.
Day Back (Lieu)
If you were rostered to work, you earn a day off in lieu. This is technically "re-rostering" the bank holiday to a different date of your choosing.
Midnight Rule
Pay at double time only applies to hours worked ON the bank holiday. If your shift starts at 22:00 on Sunday, only the 2 hours from 00:00 to 02:00 Monday attract the rate.
Related Pay Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is police bank holiday pay?
Under Regulation 26, Constables and Sergeants are typically paid at double time (2.0x) for hours worked on a public holiday.
Do I get a day back if I work a Bank Holiday?
If you were rostered to work on a public holiday, you are entitled to pay at double time AND you can re-roster the day (i.e., you get a day off in lieu).
What happens if I work a Bank Holiday on a rest day?
If a public holiday falls on a rest day and you are required to work, it is typically paid at double time and you receive a re-rostered rest day.
Does double time apply to Inspectors?
Generally no. Inspectors and Chief Inspectors usually claim equivalent time off in lieu (TOIL) for working on a public holiday rather than double time pay.