Information regarding Redress Scotland: FOI release

Information requested

1. How much money has been raised for the Redress Scotland scheme from organisations with a history of abuse?

2. What organisations have contributed and how much has each contributed?

3. How many organisations have refused to contribute to the fund and who are these organisations?

4. Copies of all correspondence between the Scottish Government, including ministers and special advisers, and organisations with a history of abuse regarding Redress Scotland or the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill between August 1 2019 and August 1 2021.

Response

1. Please note that the Scottish Government cannot make any determination about which organisations fall into the category of “organisations with a history of abuse”. A contribution to the Redress Scheme does not establish legal liability in connection with historical abuse allegations.

On the basis that your request relates to public authorities, voluntary organisations and other persons (other than individuals) having agreed to make a fair and meaningful financial contribution towards the funding of redress payments under the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 (“the Act”) I can confirm that, to date, no final agreements have yet been reached. Section 14(7) of the Act requires Ministers to publish, among other things, the names of the organisations making a financial contribution to the Redress Scheme and the amounts they have contributed or have agreed to contribute. Information on all participating organisations and their financial contributions will be published in advance of the scheme launch.

You can find the Act in full here: Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 (legislation.gov.uk).

2. No money has been yet been contributed towards the funding of redress payments under the Act by any authority, organisation or person.

Section 14(7) of the Act requires Ministers to publish, among other things, the names of the organisations making a financial contribution to the Redress Scheme and the amounts they have contributed or have agreed to contribute. Information on all participating organisations and their financial contributions will be published in advance of the scheme launch.

You can find the Act in full here: Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 (legislation.gov.uk).

3. Public authorities, voluntary organisations and other persons (other than individuals) who exercise or have exercised functions in relation to the safeguarding or promotion of the welfare of children or the protection or furthering of their interests can contribute to the redress payment fund, subject to certain conditions being met.

The Scottish Government does not hold information in relation to the intentions of all potential contributors in terms of deciding not to contribute to the fund, but as set out in the financial memorandum which accompanied the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Bill: ‘Police Scotland does not intend to make a financial contribution to the redress scheme. Police Scotland will therefore not be included in the list of organisations subject to the waiver that survivors accepting a redress payment will sign.’

Further detail is provided in the financial memorandum which can be found here: revised-financialmemorandum.pdf (parliament.scot).

4. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, we are unable to provide the information requested, as the Scottish Government cannot make any determination about which organisations fall into the category of “organisations with a history of abuse”.

Accordingly, you may wish to consider clarifying and re-submitting your request. For example, you could give further specification about the organisations, subject of the correspondence, Bill provisions or aspect of Redress Scotland in which you have an interest.

You may wish to be aware when refining your request that under section 12 of FOISA public authorities are not required to comply with a request for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying would exceed the upper cost limit, which is currently set at £600 by Regulations made under section 12.

You may also find it helpful to look at the Scottish Information Commissioner’s ‘Tips for requesting information under FOI and the EIRs’ on his website at: http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/Tipsforrequesters.aspx.http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/Tipsforrequesters.aspx.

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.