Publication - FOI/EIR release

Senior Officials Travel between Edinburgh and London: FOI release

Published: 17 October 2019
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector
FOI reference: FOI/19/02145
Date received: 17 September 2019
Date responded: 10 October 2019

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Information requested

1) Summary details of costs, frequency and methods of travel for the Scottish Government’s Permanent Secretary and Directors-General between Edinburgh and London since 1 January 2018.
2) Drafts, revisions and final copies of any internal policies, guidelines or advice relating to methods of travel to London for senior Scottish Government officials since 1 January 2018.

Response

I have enclosed a summary of costs, frequency and methods of travel undertaken by senior Scottish Government officials to London since 1 January 2018, as requested.
Travel is an essential part of Government business, especially between delegates in both the Scottish and UK Governments. Our policy emphasises travelling sustainably and using video/telephone conferencing. We also introduced Director level agreement for UK mainland flights. I have enclosed the Scottish Government’s Sustainable Travel Strategy Policy (2015 – 2020). Drafts and revisions are not held.

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