hmm i obciously did misunderstand.there was nothing preventing you handing your notice in a week earlier though was there? Its not like you said "let me work part time or im leaving" so its hardly likely they knew that you would leave if they didnt say yes, thus you cant really say they held back the letter to cover their holiday leave reasonably (in my opinion) Again, i reiterate that they had to have time to think about it, and a week seems reasonable. Maybe for the last week your boss has been desperately trying to find a way to make it happen, but eventually has given up and given you the letter? ok so it's not probable, but it is possible i suppose
to be honest, i dont know much about employment law, but i am just saying things how they seem to me. When you got the job, you could work full time, but now your circumstances have changed and you cant - thats hardly their fault. If they wanted someone to work part time, they would have advertised the job as that.
in my opinion, you just seem angry and cross and upset you can get the hours you want so instead of taking responsibilty for your changed cirumstances, you want to blame them, as if they have made you leave <----- i know you probably wont like me saying that but that is what it is coming accross as