Production company funding and BBC Scotland documentation: FOI release

Information requested

1. Any government funding agreements, payments, or sponsorships given to TV and movie production companies in the last five years, and a breakdown per year and per payment, I.e what was it for?

2. All documentation held, including correspondence sent and received, minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, between Angus Robertson and/or his office and BBC Scotland, from the last three months?

Response

For question one, I can advise that no funding has been provided by the Scottish Government to TV or film production companies in the last five years.

Screen Scotland drive development of all aspects of our film and television industry through funding and strategic support. In this instance, I would suggest engaging with Screen Scotland through their contact form on the Creative Scotland website, or through: enquiries@creativescotland.com.

For question two, I enclose a copy of most 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 exemptions under sections 33(1)(b) (prejudice to commercial interests), 38(1)(b) (personal information of a third party) and section 39(1) (health and safety) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained below.

Section 33(1)(b) (prejudice to commercial interests): This exemption applies to some of the information requested because disclosure of this would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of a person or company. 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 public interest in release because there is a general public interest in transparent government and information held by the Scottish Government. We recognise that there is an interest into how decisions are reached in this sector and how money is spent by commercial entities operating, or seeking to operate, in Scotland. However on balance, there is a greater public interest in protecting the integrity of these conversations and decision-making process, so that individuals and companies are not unduly prejudiced in the future and that companies operating within this sector continue to invest in Scotland.

Section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information of a third party): applies to a small amount of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party i.e. the names of individuals, 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.

Section 39(1) (health and safety): applies to a small amount of third party information, and disclosing this information may impact on the health and safety of individuals or organisations. 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.

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 202500491142 - Information released - Documents

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