Rough sleeping in Glasgow documentation: FOI release

Information requested

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about rough sleeping in Glasgow, from the last three months.

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested in electronic format (pdf file) at Annex A. Some of the information has been provided in the form of excerpts where information not relevant to your request has been omitted.

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 exemptions under section 25(1), section 38(1)(b) and section 30(b)(i) of FOISA apply to that information. The reasons why those exemptions apply are explained below.

An exemption applies

An exemption under section 25(1) of FOISA (information otherwise accessible) applies to some of the information you have requested. 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. The information, consisting of two attachments (press release and briefing) referred to in document 2 of Annex A can be accessed via the following websites:

BRIEFING-extreme-weather-provision-during-the-housing-emergency.pdf (homelessnetwork.scot)
https://homelessnetwork.scot/2025/06/20/ghift-highlight-risk-communal-night-shelters-homelessness/

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some of the information you have requested because it is personal data of a third party (i.e. names/contact details of individuals) and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Schedule 1 to the Data Protection Act 1998. 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.

Where personal details have been withheld, redactions have been applied at the minimum level necessary to remove the risk of identification. Non-identifiable details, including partial email addresses, have been retained to ensure transparency around where communications originated, or were sent.

Some information has been withheld because an exemption under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA (provision of free and frank advice) applies. This exemption applies to excerpts from FMQ briefs dated 2, 4, 10,11,16, 23 and 24 June, 4 July, 18 and 25 August and 1 and 2 September 2025 because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice in relation to political debate. The exemption recognises the need to protect the private space in which officials brief the First Minister to support the public function of First Minister Questions, which was also recognised by the ICO in their recent decision (021/2025.)

An exemption under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA has also been applied to two further documents: an email dated 17 June 2025 containing advice around an invitation extended to the Cabinet Secretary and an excerpt from a submission prepared for the Cabinet Secretary for Housing dated 20 August 2025. This exemption has been applied because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice for the purposes of deliberation. The exemption recognises the need for Ministers to have a private space within which to seek advice and views from officials before reaching a settled public position. Disclosing the content of free and frank briefing and the exchange of views will substantially inhibit the provision of such advice in the future.

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 that there is some public interest in disclosing information as part of an open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, this is outweighed by the greater public interest in allowing a private space within which officials can provide free and frank advice to Ministers to enable them to reach a decision. Disclosure of this type of information could lead to a reduction in the comprehensiveness and frankness of such advice and views in the future, which would not be in the public interest.

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FOI 202500482896 - Information released - Annex A

File type

PDF

File size

2.1 MB