Minutes and agendas for the Social Security Programme Board: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/18/02092
Date received: 3 August 2018 
Date responded: 3 September 2018
 
Information requested

The minutes and agendas for the Social Security Programme Board over the past year. That request was then refined to: the simple agenda, as opposed to the agenda and meeting papers.

Response 

I have attached the agendas that were provided to the Social Security Programme Board over the past year, however, an exemption does apply to some of the information requested (see Annex A).

Reasons for not providing information

An exemption under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption recognises the need for Ministers and officials to have a private space within which to discuss and explore options before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank discussions at the Social Security Programme Board will substantially inhibit such discussions in the future, particularly because these discussions are still ongoing and policy is still being formulated.
This 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 favour of 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 allowing Ministers and officials a private space within which to explore and refine the Government’s position on Social Security until the Government as a whole can adopt a position that is sound and likely to be effective. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, so that good decisions can be taken. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the decision making process, which would not be in the public interest.

About FOI

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FOI-18-02092 - Social Security Programme - Agendas

File type

6 page PDF

File size

226.4 kB