By Josh Donner

9th April 2025

Bank holidays are coming – don’t let BACS processing catch you out

With payroll year-end taking centre stage recently, it’s easy to overlook the upcoming bank holidays and their impact on your processing timeline, especially BACS processing.

With several bank holidays on the horizon, now’s the time to double-check your payroll schedule to avoid any last-minute disruptions.
Four key bank holidays are coming up in quick succession:

  • Friday 18 April – Good Friday
  • Monday 21 April – Easter Monday
  • Monday 5 May – Early May bank holiday
  • Monday 26 May – Spring bank holiday

As BACS doesn’t process on weekends or bank holidays, pay dates that fall close to these dates will need special attention.

How does this affect your payroll?

If your regular payday falls on or shortly after a bank holiday, you’ll need to submit earlier to ensure funds clear on time.

Check out the essential BACS processing dates you need to be aware of around the UK bank holidays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOP TIP – always allow three working days for BACS clearance.

What you should do now?

  • Review your April and May pay dates if you haven’t already
  • Check submission deadlines to avoid delays
  • Communicate any changes as early as possible

We’re here to help

At Ascend, we understand that this time of year can be especially busy. If you’re an Ascend customer, we’ll take care of all of this for you – managing BACS submission deadlines, ensuring timely payments, and keeping everything on track. If you’re unsure about your payroll schedule or have any questions, our talented team is always ready to support you.

Let’s ensure everything runs smoothly over the coming weeks – no missed paydays, no last-minute panic.

Still not an Ascend Payroll customer? Why not get in touch for a no obligation quote

Alternatively, why not follow us on LinkedIn for the latest payroll news

Author

Frequently asked questions related to this blog

How do bank holidays affect BACS payroll processing?

BACS does not process on weekends or bank holidays. That means pay dates falling on or shortly after a bank holiday need special attention. If your regular payday falls close to a bank holiday, you will need to submit earlier to ensure funds clear on time. With payroll year-end taking centre stage, it is easy to overlook upcoming bank holidays and their impact on your processing timeline.

How long does BACS clearance take?

Always allow three working days for BACS clearance. If payday is on or shortly after a bank holiday, work backwards from that date to find your submission deadline. Missing this window can mean employees do not get paid on time.

Which bank holidays were flagged in the blog and why do they matter together?

Four key bank holidays were coming up in quick succession: Good Friday (18 April), Easter Monday (21 April), Early May bank holiday (5 May), and Spring bank holiday (26 May). When bank holidays cluster like this, the working days available for BACS processing shrink, so April and May pay dates need extra planning.

What should employers do to avoid missed paydays?

Review your April and May pay dates if you have not already. Check submission deadlines to avoid delays. Communicate any changes to employees as early as possible. The goal is no missed paydays and no last-minute panic.

How can a payroll provider help with bank holiday BACS deadlines?

A managed payroll provider can handle BACS submission deadlines, ensure timely payments, and keep everything on track during busy periods. If you are unsure about your payroll schedule or how bank holidays affect your specific pay dates, it is worth checking with your provider before the deadlines pass.

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