Social Security ICT implementation lessons learned exercise: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/18/02988
Date received: 11 December 2017
Date responded: 11 January 2018

Information requested

The reports or documents produced as part of the "lessons learned" exercise, as referred to at /publications/social-security-ict-implementation/

Response

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 an exemption under section 29(1)(a) formulation or development of government policy of FOISA applies to that information. The exemption is subject to the "public interest test." Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in high quality policy and decision-making, and in the properly considered implementation and development of policies and decisions. This means that Ministers and officials need to be able to consider all available options and to debate those rigorously, to fully understand their possible implications. Their candour in doing so will be affected by their assessment of whether the lessons learned documentation the will be disclosed in the near future, when it may undermine or constrain the Government's view on that policy while it is still under discussion and development.

I have however provided the lessons learned register template which sets out the key headings considered and IDs for each lesson analysed and acted upon. This is attached to this letter. Please note this is a "live document" and subject to regular update and change.

About FOI

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

FoI-18-02988- the response table template.pdf

File type

11 page PDF

File size

25.0 kB