Correspondence between the Scottish Government and LGBT Youth Scotland: FOI release

Information requested

All correspondence, including notes or minutes of meetings or phone calls, between the Scottish Government and LGBT Youth Scotland. This should cover the period from 1st April 2025 to date (29 August 2025).

Response

I enclose a copy of the correspondence and related attachments to the correspondence held by the Scottish Government.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information contained within the emails and attachments because an exemption under section 38(1)(a)(b) (personal information). The exemption under Section 38(a) and (b) of FOISA has been applied throughout the documents as there was personal information which is exempt from disclosure. This information included people's names, contact details, and information relating to those people which could allude to their identity. 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 section 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of government policy) applies to some of the information requested because it relates to the formulation and development of the Scottish Government’s work with LGBT Youth Scotland.

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 high quality policy and decision-making, and in the properly considered implementation and development of policies and decisions. This means that Ministers and officials need to be able to consider all available options and to debate those rigorously, to fully understand their possible implications. Their candour in doing so will be affected by their assessment of whether the discussions on upcoming work with LGBT Youth Scotland will be disclosed in the near future, when it may undermine or constrain the Government’s view on that policy while it is still under discussion and development.

An exemption under section 33(1)(b) of FOISA (commercial interests) applies some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure of this particular information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of LGBT Youth Scotland. Disclosing this information would be likely to give organisations an advantage in future similar tendering exercises, which would substantially prejudice LGBT Youth Scotland’s s ability to submit tenders for future work with the Scottish Government.

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 and transparent government, and to help account for the expenditure of public money. However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the commercial interests of LGBT Youth Scotland’s project currently in development to ensure that we are always able to obtain the best value for public money.

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 202500482415 - Information released - Annex

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