Over-tourism correspondence and baby box distribution statistics: FOI release

Information requested

1. All briefing notes prepared for ministers, all correspondence, including internal, sent and received by the Scottish Government, in relation to overtourism in some parts of Scotland, between January 1 2023 and the date of this FOI.

2. How many baby boxes have been handed out in each of the years that they have been government policy?

Response

1. I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested. 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 30 of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained in the Annex to this letter.

2. Please see below table detailing the number of Baby Boxes distributed each year since the programme began on 15 August 2017.

Year	Boxes Delivered
2017 (Distribution of Baby Boxes began on 15 August 2017)	22,001
2018	48,524
2019	47,202
2020	42,636
2021	42,452
2022	40,936
2023 (Up to 27 October 2023)	35,563

ANNEX
REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION

An exemption applies

An exemption under section 30 30(b)(ii)(the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation). of FOISA applies to some the information you have requested.

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, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring that budget discussions are not prejudiced by the publication of internal discussions relating to Capital Funding and possible budgetary implications ahead of the Scottish Budget.

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 202300383349 - Information Released - Attachment

File type

48 page PDF

File size

1.3 MB