Fife Council staff will not get World Cup public holiday

Council staff in Fife will not get an additional public holiday to mark Scotland's first appearance in the men's World Cup since 1998.

First Minister John Swinney previously said Monday 15 June should be designated as a national bank holiday, and the proposal was later approved by the King.

Public sector employees in areas controlled by the Scottish government will be assured of a day off, depending on their contract, but it is up to individual employers whether they follow suit.

Councillors agreed to refuse the public holiday at a cabinet committee meeting on Thursday.

The public holiday has been planned for around Scotland's opening match against Haiti in Boston, which kicks off at 02:00 BST on Sunday 14 June.

Steve Clarke's side face Morocco and Brazil in their remaining group fixtures in the US. Both matches start at 23:00 BST.

Fife Council, which employs about 18,000 people, said there were costs around giving additional day of leave.

It estimated the extra public holiday would cost £275,000.

In a report, officials said lesser ceremonial events, such as royal weddings, jubilees and coronations, were managed through additional leave and only Queen Elizabeth's state funeral in 2022 justified a public holiday.

It stated cost was just one of the challenges, with the closure of schools cited as a factor.

The local authority said: "This option may be unpopular with trade unions but reflects the current budgetary position for the council and the general public mood around council employees benefitting while many other employees will not."