Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme documentation: FOI release

Information requested

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government about The Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme including all correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings, minutes/notes from meetings, between November 15 2024 and January 15 2025?

Response

I have interpreted your request to include all correspondence about the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme sent and received within in the specified timeframe and enclosed a copy of the information you requested in the attached document ANNEX A.

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 exemptions under the FOISA applies to that information under the following sections:

• Section 28 - Relations within the United Kingdom
• Section 29(1)(a) –formulation/development of government policy
• Section 29 (1)(b) – Ministerial communications
• Section 30(b)(i)– free and frank provision of advice
• Section 30(b)(ii)– free and frank exchange of views
• Section 38(1)(b) – third party personal data

Most of 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 exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemptions. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of interest in an open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in maintaining space for officials to be able to have a private space to discuss policy development.

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 202500457190 - Information released - Annex A

File type

PDF

File size

995.6 kB