Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) correspondence: FOI release

Information requested

• Any emails sent to Ministerial emails or SPAD emails between August 12, 2025, and August 13, 2025, which relate to GERS, or contain the word “GERS”.
• Any emails sent between officials within the Chief Economist Directorate between August 12, 2025, and August 13, 2025, which relate to GERS, or contained the word “GERS”.
• Any emails sent by individuals working within the media enquiries unit on behalf of the Finance, Local Government and Corporate portfolio between August 12, 2025, and August 13, 2025, which relate to GERS, or contain the word “GERS”.

Response

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

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 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation) or section 38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. Section 30(b)(ii) applies to the free and frank exchange of views where disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of views. Section 38(1)(b) applies to the personal data of a third party – it applies to the withholding of information which discloses people's names.

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 exemptions. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemptions. We recognise in the case of both exemptions that there is some public interest in release because of the interest in open and transparent Government. However, in the case of section 30(b) this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring officials and ministers are able to securely consider views before reaching a settled public view. In the case of section 38(1)(b) this is outweighed by the public interest in disclosing personal information of individuals below SCS level when it is unlikely to enhance public scrutiny of decision making.

Some of the information you have requested is available from the Scottish Government website: Government Expenditure & Revenue Scotland 2024-25 - gov.scot and Government expenditure & revenue Scotland 2024-25 - gov.scot. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the websites listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

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 202500480389 - Information released - Annex

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