I have been working for my present employer for six months and haven’t received a written contract. My employer has been vague about holidays but has granted the minimum 28 days leave. However I had to take all the bank holidays out of my leave, and wasn’t allowed to take the time off without pay.
In the absence of a contract or other agreement you are entitled to 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday a year, which may or may not include bank holidays. Your employer is right: you are not automatically entitled to bank holidays, paid or unpaid. You should remind your employer that you have a legal right to a statement of terms and conditions of employment within two months of starting work. Suggest you will apply to the employment tribunal if you don’t receive them.