COUNCIL workers and schoolchildren in East Lothian will be given an extra day’s holiday in May to mark the coronation of King Charles III.

Plans to introduce an additional public holiday to allow the county to celebrate were approved by the council’s Labour administration cabinet at a meeting on Tuesday.

And they were told that they had been given the go-ahead from the Scottish Government to close schools for the day, even though it would mean they were two days short of the 190 days of teaching days expected during the year.

The council estimated that the extra public holiday – on Monday, May 8 – would cost about £150,000 in additional higher rate payments to staff who worked on the day.

A report to cabinet said: “The UK Government announced that the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, and they have declared a national bank holiday on Monday, May 8, 2023, to celebrate.

“The Scottish Government has also declared its support for this additional national holiday, which will form part of a three-day 'Coronation Weekend' of celebration.

“Consultation has taken place with the joint trade unions, who are supportive of the council proposal.

“Schools are required to provide 190 days employee teaching per year and any reduction in this number must be approved by the Scottish Government. The council has sought and gained approval from the Scottish Government to reduce the pupil teaching days from 190 days to 188 days in 2023.

"The council previously secured a reduction from 190 to 189 days for the Queen's state funeral.”

Cabinet members approved the holiday unanimously.