Correspondence with Scottish Fiscal Commission regarding mitigation of the two-child cap: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Information requested
Correspondence sent and received between Scottish Government and the Scottish Fiscal Commission regarding the mitigation of the two-child cap between 28th November 2024 and 7th January 2025.
Response
Some of the information you have requested has already been published by the Scottish Fiscal Commission and is available here:
Mitigating the two-child limit and the Scottish Budget | Scottish Fiscal Commission.
Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested. This is in the attached PDF document.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some the information you have requested because exemptions under the following sections of FOISA apply to the information: 29(1)(a), Formulation of Government Policy; 30(b)(i), Free and Frank Provision of Advice; and 38(1)(b), Personal Data of a Third Party.
The exemptions 29(1)(a) and 30(b)(i) 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. Although we recognise that it is important for government to be open and transparent, and release information where they can it is also important to preserve the ability for officials to develop policy freely. In particular, the mitigation of the two-child cap is a policy that is currently being developed and comments on this relate to intent and expectation as the policy progresses. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemptions. Therefore these documents contain some redactions.
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