Costs of Scots language plays for schools initiative: FOI release

Information requested

1. The full costs associated with the production and distribution of the new series of Scots language plays for schools, as announced by the Depute First Minister at a Glasgow printworks.

2. A breakdown of any contracts awarded, including the name of suppliers/organisations involved in the printing, publishing, or distribution of the plays, and the amounts paid to each.

3. The number of schools receiving the plays free of charge and the projected cost of this distribution.

4. Any additional budget allocated for the wider measures to support and promote the Scots language announced alongside this initiative.

5. Travel and expenses costs for current and previous ministers to promote this

6. A copy of any impact statement on the Scottish public

Response

The Scottish Government does not hold all of the information you have asked for because the Scottish Government is not directly responsible for the subject. The details of the information requested are below.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

The Cost of Production and Distribution

The Scottish Government as part of funding Yaldi Books had been provided with projections for the cost of publication and distribution of 1000 copies of Auchtermichty Aw-Stars to cost £2,000. Further information surrounding the funding of Scots Hoose Yaldi was made publicly available by the Scottish Government in a press release on 28th August: Boost for Scots language - gov.scot.

The Auchtermichty Aw-Stars plays were previously published on the Scots Hoose and as such no additional funding was provided by the Scottish Government associated with its creation.

In the financial details regarding Yaldi Books held by the Scottish government, the exact costs are not held. Yaldi Books is an independent organisation from the Scottish Government. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

Breakdown of contracts

The Scottish Government does not hold information on any Contracts relating to the printing, publication and distribution as Yaldi Books is an independent organisation.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

Schools distribution

The Scottish Government does not hold the precise number of Schools receiving the “Auchtermichty Aw-Stars” plays materials free, but has been informed that it will be approximately 100 Schools.

The Scottish Government is not responsible for the distribution and has not been provided with actual spending, costs or contracts relating to the distribution of the plays to Schools.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

Scots Language Budget
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 website listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

This information was made publicly available by the Scottish Government in a press release on 28th August: Boost for Scots language - gov.scot.

Ministerial Expenses

Ministerial engagements, including travel, expenses and gifts received are proactively published in line with the Scottish Ministerial Code 3 months in arrears. 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 website listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy. Any information on travel and expenses for current and previous ministers up to April 2025 is available at:

Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Similarly for information on travel and expenses, from May to August 2025, will be published within the next 12 weeks. Therefore I am advising you that section 27(1) of FOISA applies to the information you have requested. This exemption allows public authorities to refuse to disclose information if they already plan to publish it within the next 12 weeks. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website listed (above), then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

Impact Statement

There is no requirement for impact assessments regarding the funding of Scots Hoose or Yaldi Books.

Copies of the Deputy First Minister's Statements regarding the plays and increased spending on Scots are publicly available in a press release issued by the Scottish Government on 28th August: Boost for Scots language - gov.scot.

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.