Thousands of Glasgow council staff to get World Cup holiday

Glasgow council employees will get an extra bank holiday for the World Cup – but the move has been questioned over costs and impact.

The day off on June 15 will cost Scotland’s largest local authority around £520,000, and a number of other councils have decided against it due to the financial hit.

Speaking at a meeting on Thursday, SNP councillor Allan Casey said the move will give a “significant financial boost” to the city’s hospitality trade and economy.

But councillor Elaine McDougall, Labour, said it “doesn’t sit right” with her to spend the money while the local authority is making cuts, describing it as “just an excuse for people to get a swally”.

Pointing out the positives to the city, workforce convenor Casey said: “We as Glasgow City Council believe on balance this is the right thing to do,” adding: “It gives the opportunity to significantly boost the local economy, which is badly needing that support.”

He welcomed the relaxation of licensing laws in the city to “safely manage” crowds watching the games.

Commenting on the extra day off, councillor John Carson, Labour, pointed out there could be “consternation in the community” and asked Councillor Casey if there could be a long-term impact due to “disruption”.

Councillor Casey said the council has plans to deal with bank holidays and staff prepare in advance.

He added: “I don’t anticipate there will be any real significant impact to services across the council.”

Responding to councillor McDougall’s concerns about cuts, he said the city’s approved budget had invested £5m into the Integration Joint Board for health and social care and claimed Labour’s proposed budget delivered “nothing” for the IJB.

Councillor Martha Wardrop, Green, said people will come to the city to celebrate the World Cup and asked about potentially measuring that impact.

Calls were made for Holyrood to cover the council’s costs for the Monday off, which is the day before the team faces Haiti.

Labour councillors tabled an amendment calling on the Scottish Government to fully fund the costs of the additional holiday, which was designated by First Minister John Swinney after Scotland qualified.

Glasgow Labour group leader councillor Rashid Hussain, who proposed the amendment, said: “We all want to celebrate Scotland’s return to the World Cup.

”The SNP Government cannot continue to announce national policies without providing the funding councils need to deliver them.”

He pointed out that city residents are facing a 5.9 per cent council tax rise, which was agreed in the budget.

The majority of councillors rejected the amendment at the city administration committee, and the World Cup bank holiday was granted, which will see schools close.

The £520,000 will be met from ‘balances’ according to a council report.

The council employs about 28,000 staff, according to statistics published in 2021.

Staff currently get 29 days of annual leave and 12.5 public holidays.