I work part time but not getting holiday pay, is this illegal?

I work part time, 4 days a week for at least 8 hours per day.
I've had about a week off for Christmas but employer is refusing to pay holiday money?

Are you a permanent employee or bank/agency staff?
What does it say in your contract about holiday pay?

I am a permanent employee. I haven't read anything about holiday pay in my contract.

I am a permanent employee. I haven't read anything about holiday pay in my contract.

Id check your contract- surely it should say how many days holiday a year you are entitled to etc.

You're entitled to 5.6 weeks off a year. You are to be paid as if you were in work for those 5.6 works. Your contract can only give you more than this, rather than less. (going off memory, but I think it's 5.6 anyway)

Your contract might say that your works closes for Christmas -- effectively you might only have a 51-week contract rather than 52. Who knows.

If you did use your holiday entitlement, then you are entitled to be paid for it. Talk to your employer about it; preferably get their reasons in writing. If they don't pay up, you can put in a grievance and take them to an employment tribunal to recover it.

Exactly

You're entitled to 5.6 weeks off a year. You are to be paid as if you were in work for those 5.6 weeks. Your contract can only give you more than this, rather than less. (going off memory, but I think it's 5.6 anyway)

Your contract might say that your works closes for Christmas -- effectively you might only have a 51-week contract rather than 52. Who knows.

If you did use your holiday entitlement, then you are entitled to be paid for it. Talk to your employer about it; preferably get their reasons in writing. If they don't pay up, you can put in a grievance and take them to an employment tribunal to recover it.

If your workplace closes for Christmas then no one gets pay, they're just closed. If you've asked for the week off then they should be paying you holiday pay.

Not always. It depends on the workplace.
For example ive worked at 2 different nurseries. Both were closed for christmas and new year. For both, we got paid for those days that we were closed.