Scottish Government’s “do not destroy” policy: FOI release

Information requested

All correspondence sent or received by by the Office of the First Minister which discusses the Scottish Government’s records management policy, 1st January 2020 - 29th March 2023.

All correspondence sent or received by the Office of the First Minister which discusses the Scottish Government’s “do not destroy” policy with respect to messages potentially relevant to the Scottish or UK Covid-19 Inquiries, 1st January 2020 - 29th March 2023.

Response

There is no correspondence which discusses the Scottish Government’s Records Management Policy between 1 January 2020 and 29 March 2023.

You may find this useful: on the Scottish Covid Inquiry website. Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry Issues "Do Not Destroy" Letters | Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry (covid19inquiry.scot).

In preparation for the Scottish and UK Covid-19 inquiries, the Scottish Government has ensured all staff are aware of their legal obligations to make certain that all information and records are appropriately retained in line with the Scottish Government records management policy. This policy states that information and records should be retained for as long as they are required to support the Scottish Government in its business requirements and legal obligations.

In addition to this preparation, Director General Corporate and Director General Strategy and External Affairs distributed an email regarding the retention of records and the Scottish Government’s obligations in providing a full and clear narrative of the Scottish Government’s decision making during the pandemic in relation to the Scottish and UK Covid-19 Inquiries.

Director General Corporate also sent a further email to colleagues highlighting the importance of record retention in relation to both Inquiries. Copies of both emails are being released as part of this response

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FOI 202300383537 - Information Released - emails

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