Assessments of economic impact of granting World Cup public holiday: FOI release

Information requested

What assessment was carried out by the Scottish Government or by agencies on their behalf to understand the economic impact of their decision to grant an additional public holiday on 15th June 2026 to mark Scotland’s participation in the men's football World Cup finals? Please share any assessments.

What is the estimated cost of the additional holiday given to public sector staff?
What is the estimated cost to the NHS of the additional holiday given to NHS staff?
What is the estimated cost to the NHS of operations and appointments that cannot take place on that day and that have to be postponed or cancelled?
What is the estimated cost to the NHS of paying public holiday rates to NHS workers who have to work on 15th June 2026?

Response

All assessments and advice given to the First Minister in advance of the Proclamation of the 15th of June Bank Holiday have been published in response to a previous Freedom of Information request. The information can be found at this link: FOI+202600500185+ +Information+released+-+Document.pdf

The Public Sector in Scotland is a broad term that encompasses many different bodies, not all of which operate under the financial responsibility of the Scottish Government. As with all bank holidays in Scotland, there is no statutory requirement for employers, including local authorities and other public bodies, to close. Entitlements for staff depend on contractual arrangements. The Scottish Government has not made any estimate of the cost of the Bank Holiday to the wider Public Sector in Scotland and section 17 (1) of FOISA applies. See Annex A for further information.

It may be helpful to note that previous national events have also been marked with one-off bank holidays in Scotland, such as the Platinum Jubilee in 2022 and Coronation 2023. The Scottish Government did not provide additional funding to public bodies on those occasions. Public bodies will manage local staffing and operational arrangements within established processes, should they choose to grant the holiday.

The Scottish Government estimates that the cost of honouring an additional public holiday for NHS Scotland would be approximately £60 million. This figure is an estimate of the overall financial impact across NHS Scotland, including staffing costs associated with maintaining essential services. Actual costs may vary depending on local arrangements and service requirements. This figure represents an overall estimate of the financial impact.

The Scottish Government does not hold information providing a more detailed breakdown of costs for NHS Scotland specifically relating to the additional bank holiday, and section 17 (1) of FOISA applies. See Annex A for further information.

Annex A

The Scottish Government does not hold the information requested

The Scottish Government does not have the information you have asked for because no estimate of the cost of the Bank Holiday on the 15th June 2026 to the wider Public Sector in Scotland has been undertaken.

The Scottish Government has not made specific estimates in relation to the information you have requested regarding the costs to NHS Scotland incurred as a result of the Bank Holiday on 15 June 2026.

As such, I hereby provide you with formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.