BOOKING days off around bank holidays next year can maximise your leave and even double your time off.

The tactic could give you 58 days off in 2025 while using only 28 days of annual leave (the average for Brits).

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Of course this doesn’t mean you magically get more days off in the year.

It means that you get more days off in a row which allows you to appreciate the break properly.

Whether this means jetting off or just chilling on the sofa – you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity for some extra rest and relaxation.

Here are all the dates you should book off in 2025 to maximise your leave.

NEW YEAR

• Book two days of holiday to get five days off
• OR book four days for nine days off
• OR book seven days for 16 days off

If your bosses are friendly and you’ve still got the chance to book some leave around New Years – then here’s when to do it.

The New Year bank holiday is on a Wednesday which means if you booked the Thursday and Friday (January 2 and 3) you could end up with a total five days off.

This is because you would run into the weekend allowing an entire Wednesday to Sunday free.

If you get really lucky with the rota you could also book December 30 and 31 off which is the Monday and Tuesday beforehand.

This means you’d get a total nine days off from the Saturday (December 28) through to the following Sunday (January 5).

And finally for a whopping 16 days off you could also take December 23, 24 and 27.

If taking from two different years’ leave allowances you might not be using up as much holiday as you think.

EASTER

• Book four days of holiday to get 10 days off
• OR book eight days to get 16 days off

Easter bank holiday falls from April 18 (Good Friday) until April 21 (Easter Monday) next year.

This means if you booked holiday on the Monday to Thursday beforehand (April 14 to 17) then you could get 10 days on the trot.

And even better – if you also claimed the four days after Easter Monday (April 22 to 25) you would get that including the following weekend too.

Which, running from April 12 until 27, is 16 days overall.

MAY

• Book four days of holiday to get nine days off

In May there are two bank holidays on the Monday 5 and 26.

This means by taking the Tuesday to Thursday off on these weeks you could gain a total 9 days holiday.

For example, you would have the Saturday (May 3) til the following Sunday (May 11).

Or the Saturday (May 24) til the following Sunday (June 1).

AUGUST

• Book four days of holiday to get nine days off

In the summer, there’s also a bank holiday on August 25.

This means if you book the Tuesday to Friday off – so August 26 to 29 – you could get a total nine days.

That’s nine days from Saturday, August 23 til the following Sunday, August 31.

DECEMBER

• Book four days of holiday to get 11 days off
• OR book seven days to get 16 days off

2025 Christmas bank holidays will fall on Thursday, December 24 for Christmas Day and Friday, December 26 for Boxing Day.

One option is that you could book off December 22, 23 and 24 to get a nine-day leave from December 20 to Monday, December 29.

Or you could book off December 29, 30 and 31 and January 2 (you don’t need to book the October 1 as this is already a bank holiday).

Then you’ll have a total 11 days including the weekend.

And if you book all seven days as holiday, you’d get 16 days from December 20 right through to January 5.

You could even split this between your 2025/26 annual leaves so it doesn’t feel like you’re throwing too much away in one go.

WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS TO TIME OFF?

You’ll usually need to check in with your employer before booking holiday as this is typically arranged around workload and rotas.

Most employers who work a five-day week must get at least 28 days’ paid annual leave a year – which is around 5.6 weeks.

By making sure you maximise your leave dates you could squeeze in holiday much easier.

It’s also always best to ask as early as possible to get more chance of approval – and not to mention that it’ll be cheaper to buy a holiday if you get in early.

Always make sure your holiday is definitely approved before making any purchases – you could risk losing out on a lot of cash.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

A HUGE £200m water park with a 500-room hotel and bowling alley has moved one step closer to opening in the UK.

Great Wolf Resorts (GWR), which has sites in the US and Canada, is now prepping to open Great Wolf Lodge in Chesterton, near Bicester.

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After planning was initially approved in 2021, Europe’s first taste of the monster resort is now even closer to opening.

“Some infrastructure improvements” have recently been made, GWR said, pushing the development further.

A spokesperson for the company said: “The potential of bringing a Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park resort to families in the UK is exciting, and we’re exploring the best possible ways to bring our beloved family entertainment brand to this market.

“We recently completed some infrastructure improvements to the Chesterton site, and we continue to explore the potential for additional resorts within the UK to reach more families and provide our strongest entry into the market.”

An exact opening date has not been given.

The resort will bring in a £200m investment for the area as well as creating 600 jobs.

It will be a 498-room hotel with themed rooms, featuring an indoor water park with twisty slides and a variety of pools.

And a second resort is hoping to open in Basingstoke.

While official ticket prices haven’t been revealed, day passes would be available for anyone wanting to visit the indoor waterpark and restaurants, along with discounts for locals.

The 45-acre attraction will also have miniature golf courses.

Guests will also be able to book overnight stays at the resort too, similar to Butlin’s and Center Parcs.

A one-night stay for a family of four at a Great Wolf Resort in the US starts from $199 (£157) a night.

Basingstoke councillor John Izett said: “A Great Wolf indoor water park resort in Basingstoke would bring some £275 million of investment, many new visitors to our borough, many good job opportunities and a material and long term for the local economy.

“It would put us on the map as a UK visitor destination, and, I would expect, attract the best, most exciting leisure operators for the new leisure park. 

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GET ready for Halloween by making these fiendishly good treats during half term.

It’s the perfect way to keep your little monsters entertained . . . 

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EDIBLE SLIME: Marshmallow slime popcorn is a must-try.

Melt marshmallows, 75p, with a bit of butter and green food colouring, 69p, both from Aldi.

Drizzle this over freshly popped popcorn — see our Cheap Treat option from Asda.

The kids will love the sticky slime, and this is a snack that’s equal parts spooky and sweet.

CHOCOLATE BROOMSTICKS: Create cute witches’ broomsticks with a healthy twist.

You need strawberries, £1.39, pretzel sticks, £1.80 a pack, and Molly’s milk chocolate, 49p, all from Tesco.

Cut the tops off the strawberries and place them cut-side down.

Stick a pretzel stick on top as the broom handle.

Melt the chocolate and spoon it over the strawberry from the base to the pretzel to create “brush hairs”.

Leave to set in the fridge.

S’MORE SAVER: Eyeball s’mores bring a creepy twist to a camping favourite.

Sandwich marshmallows, £1.49 at Lidl, between two biscuits you already have.

Use icing pens, £2 per pack at Asda, to draw spooky veins and pupils onto the marshmallow.

When toasted over a flame or hob, the marshmallow “eye” will ooze out for an extra-gory look.

BRAIN BLAST: Give Belmont teacakes, 85p from Aldi, a terrifying makeover by turning them into brains.

Peel the chocolate off the teacakes and pipe red or pink icing over the top in swirly, brain-like patterns.

MILKY GHOSTS: Buy a giant Nesquik at Poundland for £2.50 and mix your milkshakes.

Get some glasses or clear tumblers and smear a few spoonfuls of Fluff marshmallow spread, £2.20 from Sainsbury’s, in random places on the inside of the glass — these are “ghosts”.

Pour in your milkshake and, on the outside of the glass, use a black felt tip to draw temporary ghoulish faces.

The ghosts will look like they are floating in the drink.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability

Deal of the day

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PICK up a new set of wheels at Halfords, with up to 20 per cent off selected adult bikes including the Indi TC1 men’s hybrid cycle, previously £145, now £116.

SAVE: £29

Cheap treat

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GRAB Eazy Pop Magicorn microwave popcorn for cosy nights in.

Usually 70p per 85g pack, both sweet and salted varieties are now 35p at Asda.

SAVE: 35p

What’s new?

COSY up in a hoodie blanket from onlinehomeshop.com, available in a variety of colours.

This comfortable pink one is down from £17 to just £5.99.

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Top swap

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STEP into winter in a pair of Frye Campus boots, £457.57, thefryecompany.com, which have gone viral this year.

Or pick up a pair of Gracelands in imitation suede, for £54.99 at deichmann.com.

SAVE: £402.58

Little helper

GET ready for Halloween at Poundland – the Makeup Gallery collection starts at £1 for nail polish and £2 for devilishly red lipstick. In-store only.

Shop & save

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TUCK in to a tasty treat with two 9oz rump steaks for £8 at Morrisons.

They are usually £4.50 each.

SAVE: £1 on two packs

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

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JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

LOTTO bosses have revealed that a EuroMillions winner lost out on a whopping £1million jackpot after they made a huge blunder.

Allwyn, the operator of The National Lottery, confirmed that the £1,000,000 prize from the EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker draw on April 16, 2024, has gone unclaimed for over 180 days since the draw.

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The ticket holder bought their EuroMillions ticket in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

However, they missed the deadline to claim the prize, which was at midnight on October 13.

Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at The National Lottery, said: “Unfortunately, I can confirm that the ticket-holder did not come forward within the deadline to claim their prize and has now sadly missed out on this substantial amount of money.

“However, the money will now add to the £30M raised each week for National Lottery-funded projects.”

Experts had previously warned lottery fans not to make a stupid mistake to risk losing out on mega jackpots.

Earlier this year, a lucky Brit hit bagged an eye-watering £12.6million.

Yet the winner still hasn’t claimed their huge cash prize.

At the time, Andy said: “Imagine being a millionaire and not even knowing it.

“And then imagine being a Lotto jackpot-winning multi-millionaire and being unaware!”

It comes after a lottery expert revealed the biggest mistakes players make.

Laura Pearson, vice president of global corporate affairs at Lottoland, shared tips on what to avoid and how to improve your chances of winning a jackpot prize.

Aiming too high

According to Ms Pearson, one of the biggest errors lottery players make is only gambling on the biggest jackpots.

As the size of the jackpot increases, the odds go down and the number of players tends to increase, making winning less likely.

“People should understand, first of all, that the bigger the jackpot, the bigger the odds are against them winning it,” she explained.

“This is because the higher the jackpot amount is, the greater the hype, so more people buy tickets.”

Instead, she suggests players consider opting for a lower cash prize that’s generating less attention.

And if you’re trying to beat the odds, don’t just focus on the jackpot odds, which tend to be what you’ll see first.

Instead, look in more detail at the various prize tiers each game offers and the odds of winning each of those.

“Learning the odds of different lottery games can make all the difference and might make you reconsider your favourite lottery,” Ms Pearson added.

Trying to pick ‘lucky numbers’ or ‘patterns’

Many of the largest lottery wins end up being shared out between a number of people, and there’s one big reason for this.

We all have a subconscious tendency to pick the same numbers, even if we’re trying hard to be different.

By thinking you’re picking “lucky” or “special” numbers, you’re increasing your chances of ending up with the same numbers as your peers.

This means you could miss out on taking home the jackpot all to yourself if your numbers do win.

“We see a lot of people who pick the number 7, and we also see a lot of people who try the reverse psychology approach and pick 13,” Ms Pearson said.

“Most common of all, though, are all the people picking numbers based on dates between 1 and 31 – a large proportion of whom all end up with the numbers 19 and 20.”

To set yourself apart and increase your chance of taking home the jackpot in full, pick the numbers at total random and don’t let anything else influence your choices.

Ms Pearson recommended using a “quick pick” to generate random numbers, as this doesn’t give you the opportunity to overthink.

Lottoland found many users also try to base their numbers on patterns, such as by drawing shapes on their tickets.

“There is no scientific basis whatsoever for using patterns to determine which numbers to choose, but using this type of system limits the amount of numbers you pick,” Ms Pearson said.

Picking based on previous wins

Another major mistake people make when picking their numbers is looking at previous jackpot wins, according to Lottoland.

You may be tempted to see what numbers have won before, but each lottery draw is entirely unique and past wins are no indicator of which numbers could come up in future.

In fact, it’s even less likely that the same set of numbers will reappear again in a short space of time.

“Any correlation between one draw and the next is purely coincidental, so you should be very wary, and indeed highly sceptical, of any of the so-called ‘lottery systems’ out there,” Ms Pearson warned.

She also advised to be wary of so-called lottery “gurus” or psychics who claim they can help predict the next numbers.

“After all, if you knew the results of a lottery jackpot in advance, would you tell anyone?” she pointed out.

How else can I improve my chances of winning?

No one can predict the next lottery numbers – if they could, they would already be very rich.

But there are some ways you can help increase your chances of winning if you’re prepared to put in a bit of extra work.

For example, you can join a lottery syndicate where you pool your numbers with other players to increase your overall chances of winning.

You may not take home as much of the big jackpot, but you’re more likely to get a cash prize at some point.

Most lottery games also have extra bonus games, such as the Irish Lotto’s Plus 1 and 2 games.

These don’t tend to cost as much as playing a whole new game, so you can boost your chances of winning for less.

Studying the odds is also a good idea for committed players.

You might figure out that you’re unlikely to win certain games, while others with lower cash prizes have a higher chance per game.

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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

“I’m good at telling stories,” says Nick Yarris repeatedly during The Fear of 13. He certainly is — and what a story he has to tell. The real Yarris was incarcerated on death row in Pennsylvania for 22 years for a crime he didn’t commit. Now it’s actor Adrien Brody telling his story, making a superb London stage debut in a compelling new play by Lindsey Ferrentino.

The role of storytelling snakes through Ferrentino’s drama, which is adapted from a 2015 documentary of the same name. It’s through Yarris talking to prison volunteer Jackie (Nana Mensah) that we learn about his life. Exactly how he ended up sentenced to death takes time to come out, as does the childhood trauma that tipped him into petty criminality. En route we see how his ability to tell stories sustains him but also proves disastrous when one yarn backfires spectacularly; we see too how the truth told by his DNA finally sets him free.

Ferrentino’s drama is partly about listening. Yarris’s story is unique to him, but it also stands for so many others left to rot in a creaking prison service. Justin Martin’s gripping staging makes that tangible — the storytelling here is shared by an excellent ensemble, who play guards, cops and other prisoners, but who also convey the bleak rigidity of life in the penitentiary. One of the most moving moments comes when two prisoners who have formed a deep attachment are separated, and the men defy regulations to join them in a heartbreakingly lovely rendition of “Just My Imagination”.

Meanwhile, Miriam Buether’s set encloses the audience in the brutal world of the prison. A grim, tiled meeting room is backed by a wall of dark windows that illuminate to offer glimpses of the ordinary domesticity lost to the prisoners. Some audience members perch on plastic chairs perilously close to the guards’ hefty boots or swinging batons.

It’s a show admirably free of sentimentality. When Yarris and Jackie marry, the guard (a bruisingly believable Aidan Kelly) steps in to prevent contact, and when Yarris is finally freed, that same guard’s simple gesture of handing him a warmed bath-towel expresses his sudden change in status. The play is held back somewhat, however, by its very fidelity to the true story: you sense Ferrentino might have imagined her way further into an invented character. As it is, we don’t get truly close to Yarris.

But Brody is brilliant throughout. In his Yarris we see flashes of the small child and the impulsive teenager, as well as the older man. He’s charismatic, funny and a born storyteller, but Brody also finds a more ambivalent, reckless streak that suggests the damage within. It’s a spellbinding performance and a terrific start to Tim Sheader’s tenure as the Donmar’s artistic director.

★★★★☆

To November 30, donmarwarehouse.com

Revolut bank account – is it safe? 

Digital banking provides consumers with convenience and accessibility to banking unlike traditional banks. With digital banking financial services become simpler and consumers can manage their money without the need for a physical branch. The most popular online banking platforms include Revolut, Monzo, Chase, N26 and Wise. These services offer features such as instant money transfers, budgeting tools, and cryptocurrency trading, catering to a tech-savvy audience seeking convenience and efficiency. 

According to a survey over 70% of consumers prefer digital banking over traditional methods. More people are shifting to online platforms but the importance of security in digital transactions remains vital with high cases of fraud. 

These online services are pulled into question again in October 2024 with Revolut in the spotlight. A Revolut customer recently lost £165,000 to fraud in just one hour, and the company’s refusal to issue a refund despite the system failing has ignited a widespread concern over customer protection with digital banking. 

Now people are asking, is digital banking safe for my money? 

A Recent Fraud case 

A particularly alarming incident occurred recently when a Revolut customer lost £165,000 to fraud within an hour.

According to a BBC report, the individual was targeted in a sophisticated scam that involved a quick and decisive breach of their account. Despite the urgency of the situation and the significant loss, Revolut denied the customer’s request for a refund, citing their policies and the circumstances surrounding the fraud. 

The customer has stated the lack of support from Revolut and the time it took to get through to the right team to freeze his Revolut bank account, meaning more money was leaving his account until they acted. 

This case has prompted widespread outrage, with many questioning Revolut’s commitment to customer protection. Critics argue that a digital banking account should have robust systems in place to detect and prevent fraud, as well as fair policies for refunding victims. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist in digital banking and the potential consequences for consumers as banking fraud become more common. 

The risk of fraud in digital banking 

While the benefits of digital banking are clear, the rise in online transactions has also led to an increase in fraudulent activities. Common types of fraud in digital banking include phishing attacks, where scammers impersonate legitimate institutions to steal personal information, and account takeovers, where unauthorised individuals gain access to a user’s account, in some cases this can lead to identity theft.

Banks should have systems in place to protect their customers from fraud as well as providing support after any fraud incidents. 

What measures do digital banking platforms take against fraud? 

To combat the rising threat of fraud, digital banks have implemented various security measures. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the most common practices, requiring users to provide two forms of verification before accessing their accounts. Biometric verification, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, is also becoming standard, adding an extra layer of security. 

Additionally, many banks are leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance fraud detection. These technologies can analyse transaction patterns and identify suspicious activity in real time, allowing banks to act swiftly and prevent unauthorised transactions. 

Despite these measures many banks are suffering from high cases of fraud. 

Customer protection and refund rates 

Customer protection policies differ significantly among digital banks, particularly when it comes to handling fraud claims. Revolut bank, for instance, has faced scrutiny for its refund practices, with critics claiming that its policies do not sufficiently safeguard consumers.  

According to industry reports, traditional banks are generally more robust in their refund processes, often offering a higher rate of compensation to customers. This discrepancy raises questions about whether digital banks can maintain customer trust while competing on convenience and innovation. 

Make sure you know what to do if you are a victim of fraud. It is important to act fast and protect your money.

Contacting your bank

If you suspect fraud on your account, you should try to act quickly to prevent further theft and protect your money and data. With digital banking, most apps will have a feature for you to freeze your account so the fraudster cannot take anything more out of your account. Then you should contact your bank.

By banking with Revolut you can use the app to block and freeze your card and account at any time. You can also do this by calling +442033228352.

If you are banking with Monzo and predict fraud on your account then you can talk to them on the app 24/7, call them on 0800 802 1281 or if you are outside of the UK call them using this number, +44 20 3872 0620.

If you are banking with Chase then call 08003763333 from the UK, if you are outside of the UK then call +44 2034930829. You can also contact Chase through the Chase app.

If you bank with Wise then you can log the case on the app and contact them on +44 808 175 1506.

N26 bank suggest using your app or webpage login to request blocking your card and account by calling their phone line at  +44 2035 107126 or +49 303 6428 6881.

Convenience VS. Security 

As digital banks continue to grow, they face the ongoing challenge of balancing user-friendly interfaces with the need for robust security measures. While consumers appreciate the convenience of instant transactions and easy access to their finances, they must also recognise their responsibility in protecting their accounts. This includes using strong passwords, being cautious about sharing personal information, and regularly monitoring account activity. 

Have you ever been a victim of fraud and did your bank protect you?  Leave a comment below.