Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy visit to University of Glasgow: FOI release

Information requested

To mark the publication of the 30th Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) statistics, the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, Neil Gray, visited the University of Glasgow's Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (August 16th). Please provide the briefing notes associated with this visit, which were prepared for the Cabinet Secretary. 

The post-visit statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, Neil Gray MSP, published in the News Section of the Scottish Government’s website (16th August 2023) included the following, “I’m grateful to the University of Glasgow for showing me their world-leading quantum technology research, which could be worth £1 billion to our economy within seven years, highlighting just how bright Scotland’s future could be outside of the UK.” Please provide information/correspondence on whether or not the University of Glasgow was consulted on, or informed of, the Cabinet Secretary’s intention to use this visit to promote Scottish independence and to advocate breaking up the United Kingdom. 

The following is a post from the official social media account (X) of the Scottish Government’s Finance, Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy department (August 17th), ‘As figures show Scotland's revenue has increased by £15 billion, innovation like quantum technology demonstrates how we can grow a strong economy outside of the UK. Experts say it could bring £1 billion to Scotland by 2030.’ Please provide information on whether Scottish Government civil servants preparing social media posts, such as the one highlighted which is promoting Scotland breaking away from the UK, are working in line with the UK-wide Civil Service Code or are potentially in breach of the Civil Service Code.

Response

1. Please provide the briefing notes associated with this visit, which were prepared for the Cabinet Secretary.

This includes:

• Submission to Cabinet Secretary associated with the GERS publication.
• Speaking notes for the Cabinet Secretary for the GERS launch.
• Briefing material associated with the Visit to the Advanced Research Centre.
• A summary note of the key figures in the GERS publication.

In addition, the Cabinet Secretary was copied the Statistical News Release. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy. This is available here: Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland 2022-23 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Also attached is a copy of the Summary of the Discussion held between officials and the Cabinet Secretariat prior to the launch.

Names of officials, where appropriate, have been redacted.

2. Please provide information/correspondence on whether or not the University of Glasgow was consulted on, or informed of, the Cabinet Secretary’s intention to use this visit to promote Scottish independence and to advocate breaking up the United Kingdom.

There is no correspondence on whether or not the University of Glasgow was consulted on, or informed of, the Cabinet Secretary’s intention to use this visit to promote Scottish independence.

3. Please provide information on whether Scottish Government civil servants preparing social media posts, such as the one highlighted which is promoting Scotland breaking away from the UK, are working in line with the UK-wide Civil Service Code or are potentially in breach of the Civil Service Code.

It is the role of the Civil Service to support the elected government of the day in developing and implementing its policies, including in relation to the policy of independence.

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FOI 202300372362 - Information Released - Annex

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