Freedom of Information requests received by the Deputy First Minister: FOI release

Information requested

How many FOI requests for info come in about Kate Forbes since she started as Deputy?  What were they about?

Response

I can confirm that a total of 9 FOI requests have been received relating to Kate Forbes since she assumed the position of Deputy First Minister on the 8 May 2024. Details of what these requests were about are noted below, together with direct links to their responses.

202400429509: All of Kate Forbes’s (The Deputy First Minister) correspondence with the National Strategy for Economic Transformation Delivery Board since becoming Deputy First Minister in May 2024.

Link- https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400429509/

202400421884: This request relates to the Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, and is only seeking information created since 8th May 2024. Please provide all correspondence sent or received by Kate Forbes (or her office) relating to the Scottish Government's management of European Structural and Investment Funds. Please also provide all documentation relating to phone calls or meetings (in person or virtual) involving Kate Forbes (or her office) which discussed the Scottish Government's management of European Structural and Investment Funds. This should include the dates on which calls or meetings occurred, a list of attendees, agendas, minutes, notes, presentation materials, and any other relevant documents."

This response was not published as no information was released.

202400436044: Freedom of information request for the minutes of any discussions on future welfare cuts in the 2024-25 budget between Kate Forbes and the Scottish Civil Service.

This response was not published as no information was released due to the use of exemption s17, information not held

202400433579: Any introductory briefing notes sent/provided to Kate Forbes in her capacity as Cabinet Secretary for Economy Energy on the following topics: Scottish Enterprise, Business Gateway, Scottish Development, International Scotland, Europa Scotland Can The Scottish Business Support Partnership

Link- https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400433579/

202400422240: Asks for ‘MSP Kate Forbes’ WhatsApp messages from her ministerial role during the COVID-19 pandemic’.

Link- https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400426539/

202400426539: A review of a request seeking ‘MSP Kate Forbes’ WhatsApp messages from her ministerial role during the COVID-19 pandemic’.

Link- https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400426539/

202400420717: Seeking clarification on the The Scottish Government’s 2018-19 consolidated accounts include the following statement:

“The European Social Fund programme within the ESF is currently in 'pre-suspension' status due to audit issues identified during a 2018 audit. As a result the Scottish Government is not yet in a position to have these claims refunded by the European Commission (EC) and in turn are also unable to pay out funding to lead partners who are affected by these audit issues, one of which is Skills Development Scotland.”

On 26th June 2024, the Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, said this in the Scottish Parliament: “On the first question, in relation to the minutes that she quotes, I say directly to her that at no point did the Scottish Government pause the payment to our partners of the funding that they had incurred. She is right to quote directly from the minutes, but I say unequivocally that the Scottish Government paid out the funding at our own risk. We recognised the costs that had been incurred, and the Scottish Government ensured that we paid out the funds to the partners.”

The information I am seeking is which of these two statements was true? The statement in the 2018-19 consolidated accounts, or Kate Forbes’ statement on 26th June 2024?

Link- https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400420717/

202400420604: On 25th June 2024, the Times published a story headlined “Kate Forbes urged to explain ‘inaccurate’ statement on EU funds”.

Please provide all internal Scottish Government discussion (involving ministers, civil servants, special advisors, and press officers) of the request from Kieran Andrews of The Times for comment on the story prior its publication. In particular, please include details of how the finally agreed line sent to Kieran Andrews was signed off.

This response was not published as no information was released.

202300389460: Kate Forbes flew to Denmark and Finlay on 26 April 2022 and returned 28 April 2022:

1. What airports did she fly from and fly into for the duration of her trip, including return flights?

Link- https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202300389460/

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.