There will be no changes to the school holidays over Christmas and New Year, John Swinney has said.

The Deputy First Minister said it had been discussed whether to close early before Christmas and extend further into January but he has decided not to.

Talks had taken place with councils about possible early closure on December 18 and not returning until January 11.

Mr Swinney wrote to the Scottish Parliament Education committee explaining the decision.

He said: “I have reached the decision not to make any changes to the planned Christmas and new year holiday dates."

He said on the grounds of controlling transmission of Covid-19 and protecting vulnerable children it was best to keep schools open as planned.

Mr Swinney added: “The Public Health advice that I received is to keep schools open as planned as the controlled school environment is more preferable to social mixing outside of school if schools are closed early. 

“In addition, vulnerable children may be at greater risk if they are out of school for an extended period.”

Mr Swinney said it was the view of the Chief Social Work Advisor that being in school is a “very significant protective factor” for the most vulnerable children and” the longer children are out of school the more chance there is of hidden harm”.  

Mr Swinney confirmed: “Public Health advice is, on balance, that there would be less transmission of COVID-19 through children and young people being in school than mixing out of school.”

Schools in Glasgow will close at 2.30 pm on Tuesday 22 December 2020.

Schools will return on Wednesday 6 January 2021.