Friday February 20th 2026
East Lothian Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
East Lothian councillors are being urged to refuse to give workers a day off to celebrate Scotland’s appearance at the World Cup this summer.
The Scottish Government has declared a national bank holiday on Monday, June 15 to mark the first time the national men’s team has qualified for the global competition in 27 years.
However the decision over whether to pass it on the council employees sits with individual local authorities.
A report by East Lothian officials recommends elected members refuse to approve a public day off describing the costs as ‘considerable’.
Meanwhile neighbouring Midlothian councillors are also being asked to consider whether they will grant the public holiday with a warning it will mean finding an additional £130,000 in funds to cover the cost.
Both local authorities will consider whether to approve the holiday at meetings next week but while Midlothian councillors are not being given a recommendation about what they should decide, East Lothian councillors are being asked to reject it.
In a report to elected members East Lothian officers say: “There are direct costs related to enhanced rates for those required to work on the public holiday and additional cost to allow those employees to take the day at a later time. For the previous public holiday for HM The King’s Coronation, this was estimated at £150,000.
“The direct cost to the council of an additional day of annual leave would be less (as enhanced pay rates are not required); however, costs are incurred to cover key frontline services and annual leave cover.
“There are no obvious public holidays which could be changed to accommodate the day. Given the costs involved, it is not possible for a positive recommendation to be made, to support the provision of a public holiday or additional day of leave on this occasion.”
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