Is my work place allowed to refusal partly sunshine holidays?

Hiya, I work for an old fashioned small family firm, I know next to some employers this makes them more kind, and they treat you like part of an extended ethnic group, but unfortunately this isnt the case near my employers they try and keep as much money as they can to themselves giving the team the very minimum, infact they only intellectual that statuary holiday days went up from 25 to 28 last year (they found this out because an member of staff told them) reluctantly they gave us the extra 3 days but didnt add on any for later year (which I dont know if they can get away with either) As the 3 days be so grudged they said "no more taking half days" their excuse being it would filch too long to use up holidays then! Im a bit annoyed at this as im a full time working mother to a toddler with one on the style,I dont get paid for sick days (only statuary if entitled to) and if I own something on it is very usefull to take an afternoon/morning stale knowing I will get full pay, Can they ruling out half day holidays, do they involve to back date the 3 extra days missed last year? Thanks
Answers:
Of course they can command half days. It is entirely up to them if they want holidays to be taken in full days - plenty of places do that.
They can work you any time they want and lay you off for any reason they want to manufacture up. Any disagreements you have with your employer inhibits your advancement in that. Make your boss your best friend or move on.

Related Questions: