UK Government correspondence on the topic of the case of For Women Scotland versus the Scottish Government: FOI release

Information requested

1. Any correspondence sent to the UK Government from the Scottish Government on the topic of the case of For Women Scotland v the Scottish Government within the last six months.

2. Any correspondence sent from the UK Government to the Scottish Government on the topic of the case of For Women Scotland v the Scottish Government within the last six months. 

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested in pdf format. 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 exemptions under sections s.28(1) Relations with the UK and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained in the Annex to this letter.

• Annex to the standard response letter- Reasons for not providing information

An exemption under section s.38(1)(b)of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. because it is personal data of a third party, ie names, email addresses and phone numbers, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. 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 28(1) of FOISA (relations within the UK) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between the Scottish Government and the UK Government. It is essential for the effective administration of the UK as a whole that there should be regular, and often private, communications between the Scottish Government, the UK Government and the other devolved administrations. Disclosure of this information will mean that the UK Government are likely to be more reluctant to communicate as frequently and openly with the Scottish Government in future.

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 maintaining close working relationships between the Scottish Government and the UK Government, and in protecting the free exchange of information between the administrations to ensure that we keep each other fully and regularly informed about matters of mutual interest. There is no public interest in disclosing information when that will damage relationships and disrupt future communications.

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 202500490451 - Information released - Documents

File type

PDF

File size

1.9 MB