May 2020 Bank Holiday date change: FOI release

Information requested

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I wish to request information relating to the change in the May Bank Holiday from 4 May to 8 May 2020.
1. I specifically want to know when the first discussions started, who instigated these discussions and who from Westminster were involved in these discussions?
2. What work was conducted to assess the impact on businesses that this change would have and when this assessment was conducted?
3. When was is first agreed by the Scottish Government that the Bank Holiday date could be moved.
Who in Westminster was notified of this decision and when?
4. What discussions were had between Westminster and the Scottish Government about delaying the announcement until June and who was involved in these discussions?

Response

The First Minister was notified about the change to the Bank Holiday on 7 June 2019 by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Rt Hon Gregg Clark MP. The First Minister responded that day. Mr Clark advised the First Minister that the UK Government would be making a public announcement the following day, 8 June. Due to the exceptionally late notice the Scottish Government received from the UK Government, there was no time for the Scottish Government to undertake any external engagement in regard to the UK Government’s decision.

In response to your request, I enclose a copy of the letter from the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy of 7 June 2019 and the First Minister’s response of the same day.

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-202000017459 Information released

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2 page PDF

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