Autumn Budget Revision information: FOI release
- Published
- 20 January 2025
- Directorate
- Financial Management Directorate
- Topic
- Economy, Public sector
- FOI reference
- FOI/202400440986
- Date received
- 15 November 2024
- Date responded
- 16 December 2024
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Information requested
1. All documentation, briefing packs, and communications provided to the Minister for Public Finance for preparation for his appearance in front of the Finance and Public Administration committee on the week beginning 11 November 2024.
2. From January 2024 to present, all ministerial communications to and from the Minister for Public Finance and the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Finance regarding the Autumn Budget revision, and a list of decision made by these two and/or the First Minister regarding the Autumn Budget revision for 2024-25.
Response
Part 1:
Briefing packs
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.
Communications
Included within the Annex are the following email communications relating to the Ministers appearance at the Finance and Public Administration Committee session to discuss the ABR
- 25th October – ‘Guide to the Autumn Budget Revision 2024-25’ requesting approval of the Guide to the ABR.
- 2nd November – ‘FPAC update on the Financial position following the UK Autumn Budget’ requesting approval of the finance update to the FPAC following the UK Budget
- 5th November – ‘Briefing for ABR session’ email with draft briefing pack ahead of call on 6th November with Minister to discuss
- 8th November – ‘Briefing for ABR session’ email with final briefing pack
- 11th November – Updates to briefing pack
Documentation
In addition to the briefing pack the Minister for Public Finance was provided with the following documentation ahead of his appearance at the Finance and Public Administration Committee.
- The 2024-25 Autumn Budget Revision – Supporting Document
- Finance Update for the FPAC 2024-25 – Guide to the ABR 2024-25
- FPAC Update on funding position post-Budget
Versions of these documents have been published online here and here
Part 2:
Ministerial communications
There were no ministerial communications to and from the Minister for Public Finance and the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Finance regarding the Autumn Budget Revision.
Decisions made in relation to the Autumn Budget Revision
First Minister
No decisions were made by the First Minister in relation to the Autumn Budget Revision
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government
The Cabinet Secretary made the following decisions relating to the Autumn Budget Revision.
- Agreement on allocation of Spring Statement consequentials and funding changes since the 2024-25 Scottish Budget was set.
- Agreement on allocation of 2024-25 Main Estimates consequentials
- Confirming the timing of laying the draft SSI for the Autumn Budget Revision on 30 September
Minister for Public Finance
The Minister for Public Finance made the following decisions relating to the Autumn Budget Revision.
- Approving ‘The 2024-25 Autumn Budget Revision – Supporting Document’
- Approving the ‘Finance Update for the FPAC 2024-25 – Guide to the ABR 2024-25’
- Approving the ‘FPAC Update on funding position post-Budget’
As well reflecting the approved funding changes discussed above, the ABR also gives effect to the savings decisions taken by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government as part of the Statement to parliament on 3 September 2024. The document also shows the impact of agreed transfers of funding between portfolio.
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.
- File type
- File size
- 256.0 kB
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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