UK Government’s Household Support Fund consequentials: FOI release

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.


Information requested

1. Confirmation of whether or not the Scottish Government and UK Government had any communication regarding consequentials that would come as a result of the UK Government’s Household Support Fund.

If so, please provide a copy of that correspondence, and confirmation of the date that correspondence was had.

2. Confirmation of whether or not Scottish Government officials and Scottish Government Ministers have held internal meetings or discussions concerning the consequentials the Scottish Government will receive as a result of the UK Government’s Household Support Fund.

If so, then please provide a full copy of that correspondence. Free and frank advice may be redacted but decisions and actions and general information shouldn’t be redacted.

3. A list of any and all recorded actions or decisions regarding consequentials that the Scottish Government expect to come from the UK Government’s work on the Household Support Fund.

4. Confirmation of when (the date or time of year) the Scottish Government anticipates the consequentials, referred to in requests 1, 2 and 3, to come into the Scottish Government’s account.

In other words, when the Scottish Government expects to receive the consequentials and how much in total the consequentials are.

If they have already been received then please state the date the consequentials were transferred and how much.

Response

Request 1

An exemption under section 28(1) of FOISA (relations within the UK) applies to information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between the Scottish Government and the UK Government. It is essential for the effective administration of the UK as a whole that there should be regular, and often private, communications between the Scottish Government, the UK Government and the other devolved administrations. Disclosure of this information will mean that the UK Government are likely to be more reluctant to communicate as frequently and openly with the Scottish Government in future.

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 maintaining close working relationships between the Scottish Government and the UK Government, and in protecting the free exchange of information between the administrations. There is no public interest in disclosing information when that will damage relationships and disrupt future communications.

Request 2

An exemption under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank provision of advice) applies to the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views.

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 issues can be explored and refined to enable the Government as a whole to reach a decision that is sound and likely to be effective.

These exemptions are 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 exemptions. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemptions.

Request 3

Final decisions on the allocation of the additional consequentials will be made as part of the 2024-25 Spring Budget Revision which is due to be published in late January 2025. It should be noted that the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice announced on 28th November 2024 to Parliament, additional investment including within the Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme and the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Request 4

The consequentials received for the extension of the Household Support Fund were part of the additional £1.433 billion of resource consequentials confirmed in the UK Autumn Budget on 30 October.

At this stage we’ve not been provided with detailed breakdowns of the amounts received at the Autumn Budget. This information will be confirmed as part of the UK Government’s Supplementary Estimates which will take place in early 2025.

Previous six month extensions of the Household Support Fund generated c£41 million of consequentials for the Scottish Government.

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.

Contact

Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000

The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

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