Which Scottish councils have agreed to World Cup bank holiday?

Two of the country’s largest local authorities will not grant workers a bank holiday after Scotland’s opening World Cup match, with many more yet to make a decision.

A one-off bank holiday was announced on Wednesday to mark the national men’s football team’s return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998.

The opener against Haiti is on Sunday, June 14, with kick-off due to begin at around 2am UK time. The bank holiday, sanctioned by the King, would give Scots Monday, June 15 off.

However, the bank holiday will not guarantee a paid day off for everyone, despite First Minister John Swinney “encouraging employers nationwide to put in place arrangements”.

Bank and public holidays do not have to be given as paid leave, and there is no requirement for businesses to close.

Despite the national bank holiday being confirmed by Royal Proclamation, many councils and NHS boards said a decision on whether it will be observed locally has yet to be made.

A public holiday for NHS staff would be a decision for each individual health board, however the Scottish Government has said potential arrangements will be discussed through established processes.

This means that the day off will vary across Scotland, depending on council and employer decisions.

Edinburgh and Fife councils, two of the largest local authorities in Scotland, both confirmed that they do not plan to treat June 15 as a public holiday for their employees.

Scottish Borders and Falkirk councils will also deny workers a bank holiday on June 15.

Stirling Council suggested it would follow suit, with a spokesman saying: “We have no current plans for this to be considered.”

Glasgow City Council has told STV News it is likely to observe the holiday, however it will be officially decided by a committee.

Other councils, such as Argyll and Bute, Dundee, and South Lanarkshire, have said a decision will be taken at a full council meeting later in February, while several authorities have yet to announce their plans.

Swinney said on Thursday he wants “as many people as possible to celebrate” Scotland’s return to the world’s stage.

However which of Scotland’s councils are actually observing the holiday?

Any councils not listed have been contacted by STV News and we await their decision.

Councils observing Scotland World Cup bank holiday

Aberdeenshire – No decision.
Argyll and Bute – Decision at meeting on February 25.
Dundee City – Under consideration.
East Ayrshire – Under consideration.
East Dunbartonshire – Under consideration.
East Lothian – No decision.
Edinburgh (City of Edinburgh) – Denied.
Falkirk – Denied.
Fife – Denied.
Glasgow – Under consideration.
Inverclyde – No decision.
Midlothian – No decision.
Moray – No decision.
North Ayrshire – Decision at meeting on February 18.
North Lanarkshire – Decision at meeting in early March.
Scottish Borders – Denied.
Shetland Islands – No decision.
South Lanarkshire – Under consideration.
South Ayrshire – Under consideration.
West Lothian – Under consideration.
Stirling – No current plans.

John Swinney said: “Scotland will be on the world stage this summer and I want as many people as possible to be able to celebrate that moment. Football means a great deal to many people in this country and it has been almost three decades since our men’s national team played at the World Cup finals tournament.

“The joyous reaction when Steve Clarke and his players secured qualification demonstrated what it meant to end that long absence.

“We want to make the most of Scotland’s participation in this global sporting event by ensuring people have the opportunity to come together and celebrate – no matter the outcome of the match. That is why I proposed making the Monday following our opening game in Boston a national bank holiday.

“I am very grateful to His Majesty King Charles for approving the proposal and I encourage employers around the country to work with staff to put in place suitable arrangements that will allow as many of them as possible to join in the celebrations.”

Scottish Labour culture spokesperson Neil Bibby MSP called the move a “pre-election gimmick”.

He said: “The SNP has badly failed the people of Scotland by yet again promising a pre-election gimmick, while hoping that people don’t read the small print which specifies that it will only be Scottish Government civil servants who will benefit.

“It is absolutely right that everyone across the country is able to make the most of Scotland’s return to the World Cup after almost 30 years. However, this is a classic example of the SNP making a promise that they have no intention of delivering on.”