Programme Plans paper submitted to Social Security Programme Board: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/18/02107
Date received: 3 August 2018 
Date responded: 3 September 2018
 
Information requested

The Programme Plans paper submitted to the Social Security Programme Board since September 2017.

Response 

We do endeavour to provide information whenever possible, please find attached a template Programme Plan. However, in this instance an exemption under section s.29(1)(a), s.30(b)(i) and s.30(b)(ii) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested.
Section 29(1)(a) applies to any information which relates to the formulation or development of Scottish Government policy. Section 30(b)(i) applies where disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. Section 30(b)(ii) applies where disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. The Social Security Programme Plan is used to enable the free and frank provision of advice for critical discussion to aid decision making. These deliberations are directly related to the development of Scottish Government policy.

As the exemption is conditional we have applied the ‘public interest test’. This means we have, in all the circumstances of this case, 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. While we recognise that there is some public interest in release as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate, this is outweighed by the vital public interest in ensuring that planning leads to high quality, fully considered decision making. Ministers and officials need to have a private space within which to consider the evidence, debate their findings, and explore all available options before reaching settled policy decisions.

Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between Ministers and officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the policy-making process or constrain the Government’s view on policy while it is under discussion and development.

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FOI-18-02107 - related documents

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