Briefings to Ministers regarding children in poverty figures: FOI release

Information requested

Information relating to the use of the estimate that 100,000 children will be kept out of poverty in 2024-25 as a result of Scottish Government policies.

Response

I enclose a copy of the information you requested:

1. The most recent Scottish Government briefing/guidance provided to Ministers and the First Minister on how to use the 100,000 figures in public (in speeches and in debates for example). [Document 1]

2. A copy of any email sent to Ministers, the First Minister or departments regarding the UK Stats Authority Letter that talked about the 100,000 figure. [Documents 2A and 2B]

3. Any briefing material that refers to the UK Statistic Authority’s letter in relation to the 100,000 figure. 
[Document 3]

An exemption(s) under section 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested in Documents 1 and 2A. This exemption applies when disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. This exemption is subject to the public interest test, which means we must consider whether, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest is better served by disclosing the information or maintaining the exemption. While acknowledging that there would be some public interest in disclosing the information in terms of transparency, we have deemed that on balance the public interest lies in favour of maintaining the exemption to protect the freedom with which advice to Ministers can be given and ultimately the effective conduct of public affairs. We have not applied this exemption in a blanket fashion, but only to information the disclosure of which we deem would be against the public interest for these reasons.

An exemption(s) under section 38(1)(b) (third party data) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested in Documents 2A, 2B, and 3. This exemption applies to the disclosure of personal data, in this case when disclosure would contravene data protection laws, and is not subject to a public interest test. In terms of your request, I have applied this exemption by redacting the names and contact details of some individuals.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202400432525 - Information Released - Annex

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10 page PDF

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577.5 kB