East Lothian Council says World Cup bank holiday could 'cost up to £150,000'

East Lothian Council has rejected a proposed national bank holiday to mark Scotland’s participation in the World Cup Finals, claiming it could cost up to £150,000.

Councillors voted against schools and staff observing a proposed national bank holiday on Monday, June 15, meaning council services and schools in East Lothian will operate as normal on the day.

The recommendation has been made due to “significant financial implications” for the authority, noting that the previous one-off public holiday for the Coronation of King Charles III cost the council an estimated £150,000.

At a meeting of council officers on Tuesday, elected members unanimously agreed with officers’ recommendation that no additional public holiday or extra annual leave day should be granted.

Council leader Norman Hampshire said that while there is excitement around Scotland competing in the tournament, the financial impact could not be justified.

“While we are all excited to watch Scotland take part in the World Cup, the cost to our council is too great to observe a national bank holiday in East Lothian,” he said.

“Elected members unanimously agreed that we cannot justify the costs involved in our current financial environment.”

The Scottish Government previously announced its intention to designate an extra bank holiday to mark Scotland’s first appearance at the World Cup since 1998.

The decision was formalised through a Royal Proclamation approved by King Charles III on 4 February.

With the World Cup being held in the US, Canada, and Mexico, Scotland’s first group game against Haiti kicks off at 2am UK time on Sunday, June 14.

Scotland will then play Morocco on June 19 at 11pm UK time and then Brazil on June 24 at 11pm UK time.

It is up to each council in Scotland how to approach national holidays.

Aberdeen City Council became the first local authority to grant its staff an extra day off to celebrate Scotland’s participation in the men’s World Cup.

It has been reported that the holiday would cost Glasgow City Council £520,000, which would be met from “balances” according to a council report.

Shetland Islands and Midlothian councils are also recommending that their staff should not have a public holiday to mark Scotland’s participation in this summer’s football World Cup.