Cabinet Secretary for Housing documentation about measures to combat the housing emergency: FOI release

Information requested

All documentation sent and received by Mairi McAllan and/or her office, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings, minutes/notes from meetings, analysis, about measures to combat the housing emergency, between June 5 2025 and July 1 2025.

Response

I enclose a copy the information you requested attached to this correspondence as PDF attachments.

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(s) of FOISA applies to that information under section S38(1)(b) (personal information). The reasons why that exemption applies are explained below.

An exemption(s) under section(s) s.38(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. The Scottish Government withholds names (and other personal information) from documents released in response to an FOI request if those names are exempt from disclosure under the provisions set out in FOISA.

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.

An exemption under 30(b)(i) of FOISA -free and frank exchange of advice- also applies. The information exempted relates to advice provided to ministers during free and frank discussions in relation to the ongoing housing emergency response. This exemption protects the space in which ministers and officials can engage in candid discussions about policy and decision-making.  Disclosure if this information would inhibit the free and frank exchange of views.

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.

A further exemption is section S27(i) of FOISA applies where the information is scheduled for publication within the next 12 week.  In such cases, public authorities may refuse to disclose the information in advance of its planned release.

Again, 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.

As this information is due for publication within the next 12 weeks, we have decided not to release this information.  This information will be available at: https://www.gov.scot/collections/housing-statistics/

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 202500477393 - Information released - Documents

File type

PDF

File size

3.9 MB