Correspondence on the topic of unisex toilets in schools: FOI release

Information requested

1. The number of complaints received by the Scottish Government regarding unisex toilets in schools.

2. Copies of emails sent or received by the Scottish Government ministers about this topic.

3. Details of any meetings held to discuss unisex toilets in schools, including dates, participants, and any meeting minutes or notes.

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested in the documents in the Annex.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested as it relates to personal data. This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

We have also removed some information that was not relevant to your request.

Some of the information you have requested is available from the Scottish Government website as part of a published Freedom of Information request. 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.

As previously mentioned, our aim is to provide information whenever possible. However, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

You may be aware that it is the statutory responsibility of all local authorities to manage and maintain their school estate and this includes the provision of toilets in schools. Therefore, you may also wish to contact local authorities directly regarding this matter.

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 202500447592 - Information Released - Annex

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