Youth Violence Summit information: FOI release

Information requested

1. The total cost of holding the Youth Violence Summit on 12 June 2025, broken down by the type of cost (e.g. room hire, catering, electronic equipment, transport etc).

2. The total cost of holding the previous two Youth Violence Summits in 2023 and 2025, broken down by the type of cost (e.g. room hire, catering, electronic equipment, transport etc).

3. The minutes and agenda of the Youth Violence Summit on 12 June 2025.

4. A list of outcomes that will be implemented as a result of the Youth Violence Summit on 12 June 2025.

5. A list of all attendees of the Youth Violence Summit on 12 June 2025.

6. Any email correspondence about the Youth Violence Summit on 12 June 2025 (including emails sent in advance of it) that were sent to or by the First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, and/or the Community Safety Minister since 16 May 2025.

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

The answers to your request are:

1. The total cost of holding the Youth Violence Summit on 12 June 2025, broken down by the type of cost (e.g. room hire, catering, electronic equipment, transport etc).

There were no costs associated with the meeting held on 12 June. It was held in a Scottish Government building and no catering was ordered.

2. The total cost of holding the previous two Youth Violence Summits in 2023 and 2025, broken down by the type of cost (e.g. room hire, catering, electronic equipment, transport etc).

Breakdown of the costs of the cross party summit on violence among young people held on 13 January 2025:

Cost	£
Catering	187.03
Travel expenses claimed	281.13
Care packages for young people	77.28
Total	545.44

The Scottish Government did not host a Youth Violence Summit in 2023. I have interpreted this part of your request to relate to the costs of the Relationships and Behaviour Summit on 5 September 2023. The Relationships and Behaviour Summit held on 5 September 2023 took place at Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, a Scottish Government building. As such, no costs were incurred for room hire. The Scottish Government does not hold a record of any other associated costs such as catering.

3. The minutes and agenda of the Youth Violence Summit on 12 June 2025.

I have provided some of the information your requested in relation to this request, specifically the Agenda for the meeting held on 12 June.

It is our intention to publish the minutes of the meeting on the Scottish Government website shortly. 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 27(1) – information held with a view to publication of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption applies are explained in the Annex to this letter.

4. A list of outcomes that will be implemented as a result of the Youth Violence Summit on 12 June 2025.

Following the meeting on 12 June, Scottish Ministers are considering what more we can do to strengthen support for young people and communities. This process is ongoing.

5. A list of all attendees of the Youth Violence Summit on 12 June 2025.

I have provided most of the information your requested in relation to this request as an attachment to this document.

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 s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained in the Annex to this letter.

6. Any email correspondence about the Youth Violence Summit on 12 June 2025 (including emails sent in advance of it) that were sent to or by the First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, and/or the Community Safety Minister since 16 May 2025.

I enclose most of the information you requested in relation to this request. 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 sections s.38(1)(b) (personal information) and section 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.

Please note that the documents released have had to be separated into 2 responses due to the size of the number of documents exceeding what can be sent in a singular response. This is part 1 of 2.

Annex

An exemption applies

Section s.38(1)(b) (personal information)

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. names and contact details, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018.

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.

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

An exemption under section 27(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested because we intend to publish the minute of the meeting on 12 June within 12 weeks.

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 it relates to discussions around what more can be done to reduce youth violence and this will be met by our publication. In the meantime, there is a greater public interest in taking the time necessary to ensure the information is accurate before it is published.

Section 30(b)(ii) – free and frank exchange of view.

An exemption under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption recognises the need for Ministers and officials to have a private space within which to discuss and explore options before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank discussions on violence prevention work will substantially inhibit such discussions in the future, particularly because these discussions are still ongoing and decisions have not been taken.

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 a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing Ministers and officials a private space within which to explore and refine the Government’s policy position on tackling violent crime, until the Government as a whole can adopt a policy that is sound and likely to be effective. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, so that good policy decisions can be taken. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between Ministers and officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the policy making process, which would not be in the public interest.

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 202500470994 - Information released - Annex

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