Deputy First Minister and Blackrock meeting information: FOI release

Information requested

Copies of the briefing notes, minutes and any other recorded information about or produced as the result of the meeting between Kate Forbes MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic and Sandra Boss, Chair of BlackRock UK on 25/09/2025 at the Ethical Finance Global 2024 Edinburgh Castle Evening Reception.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested. Please see this information in the documents attached.

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 following sections of FOISA applies to that information:

• Section 27(1) - Information held with a view to publication
• Section 30(b)(i) – Free and frank provision of advice
• Section 38(1)(b) – Personal data relating to a third party

The reasons why those exemptions apply are explained below:

Section 27 (1) – Information held with a view to publication

An exemption under Section 27(1) of Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOISA) applies to some of the information you have requested. Information is exempt from disclosure under this exemption if an authority, or third party, plans to publish the information no later than 12 weeks after the date the request is made (i.e. the date the request was posted or emailed).

This exemption is 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 exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because disclosure would enhance public scrutiny of Government decision making. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring that this information is withheld until the work referenced can be finalised and published formally within the aforementioned timeframes.

Section 30(b)(i) – Free and frank provision of advice

An exemption under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Information is exempt under section 30(b)(i) if disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice.

This exemption is 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 exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because disclosure would enhance public scrutiny of Government decision making. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in preventing the inhibition of the free and frank provision of advice.

Section 38(1)(b) – Personal data relating to a third party

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Information is exempt under section 38(1)(b) if disclosure would contravene any of the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the UK GDPR.

The 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. Redactions have been made where this is the case.

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 202500461785 - Information released - Annex

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