FOI/202600513757 · FOI · partially withheld
Information regarding NHS Scotland staff receiving a day off for the World Cup: FOI release
Information requested
The following information regarding the announcement that NHS Scotland staff will receive a day off on 15th June 2026 due to the Scottish Men’s Football team playing in the World Cup:
1. The total estimated financial cost to the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland of granting this additional public holiday to NHS staff, including any payments for overtime, agency staff, or disruption to services.
2. Any meeting minutes or internal communications that detail how this decision was made, including consideration of potential impacts on NHS services, given existing waiting lists and ongoing pressures on hospital operations.
3. Any assessment or analysis undertaken to consider whether this decision could be seen as biased in favour of men’s football, compared with other sports where Scotland has had success, including women’s sports.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested in the format you asked for. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because the following exemptions under FOISA apply to that information:
1. 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. A corresponding reduction in elective patient activity is estimated at approximately 15–20% compared to a standard week, in addition to the potential closure of GP and dental practices for that day.
2. While the Scottish Government holds information relating to the potential impacts on NHS services of observing an additional public holiday, this information is exempt from disclosure under section 30(b) (i) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, which concerns the free and frank provision of advice and Section 30(b)(ii) which concerns free and frank exchanges of views.
Section 30(b)(i) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - the free and frank provision of advice
The information comprises internal advice and assessments provided to Ministers and officials on the likely operational impacts of an additional public holiday. Disclosure of this information would be likely to substantially inhibit the provision of free and frank advice in the future, as officials may be less willing to provide candid assessments on sensitive and operationally complex matters. This would undermine effective policy development and informed decision‑making.
The Scottish Government has considered the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in maintaining the exemption. While there is a recognised public interest in transparency, particularly in relation to how Ministers are advised on high‑profile issues, this is outweighed by the strong public interest in protecting a private space for officials to provide full, frank, and candid advice to Ministers on sensitive and ongoing matters. On balance, the public interest lies in maintaining the exemption, and it has therefore been applied.
Section 30(b)(ii) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 – the free and frank exchanges of views
The information withheld under this exemption relates to internal exchanges between Scottish Government officials as part of the process of developing briefing and advice for Ministers on the implementation of the World Cup Bank Holiday for NHS Scotland staff and related considerations.
Disclosure of this information would be likely to substantially inhibit the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. Officials must be able to explore options, discuss risks, and express candid views when developing advice on sensitive and evolving policy matters. If such internal discussions were routinely disclosed, officials would be more likely to exercise restraint in expressing views, which would diminish the quality and effectiveness of internal deliberation and decision‑making.
This exemption is subject to the public interest test. While there is a public interest in transparency around how the Scottish Government considers high‑profile issues, this is outweighed by the strong public interest in ensuring that officials can engage in open and candid internal discussions when formulating advice and briefing for Ministers on sensitive matters. On balance, the public interest lies in maintaining the exemption, and it has therefore been applied.
Section 38(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 – personal data relating to third party
This information constitutes personal data relating to identifiable individuals acting below Senior Civil Service level, including names and contact details. Disclosure of this information would contravene the data protection principles set out in data protection legislation. This exemption is not subject to the public interest test.
3. This is a formal notice under Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 – Information not held, 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.
Detected exemption language
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because the following exemptions under FOISA apply to that information: 1. While the Scottish Government holds information relating to the potential impacts on NHS services of observing an additional public holiday, this information is exempt from disclosure under section 30(b) (i) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, which concerns the free and frank provision of advice and Section 30(b)(ii) which concerns free and frank exchanges of views. Section 30(b)(i) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - the free and frank provision of advice The information comprises internal advice and assessments provided to Ministers and officials on the likely operational impacts of an additional public holiday. The Scottish Government has considered the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in maintaining the exemption. On balance, the public interest lies in maintaining the exemption, and it has therefore been applied.