Appointment of Janey Godley in recent Covid-19 advertisement campaign: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Information requested
1. All communications (email, telephone, written) relating to the appointment and arrangement of Janey Godley to the recent NHSS marketing campaign.
2. How much Janey Godley was compensated for said campaign.
Response
Ms Godley received a fee of £10,000 + VAT for participation in the campaign. This payment is in-line with the industry standard for such a high-profile campaign. Ms Godley has now agreed to donate her fee to charity.
Please find attached documents relating to the development of the campaign featuring Ms Godley.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption under section S.30(b)(ii) – formulation or development of government policy of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption applies are explained below.
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 officials to have a private space within which to discuss issues and options before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of these discussions will substantially inhibit such discussions in the future, because there will be a reluctance to provide views fully and frankly if those views are likely to be made public, particularly while these discussions are still ongoing and decisions have not been taken.
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 communicate. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues, 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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Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
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