Hospitality and catering services spend: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for

• How much has the Scottish Government spent on employing ‘hospitality’ staff during the period January 2025 – present (October 2025).
• How much as the Scottish Government paid to private companies to provide catering services during the period January 2025 – present (October 2025).
• What is the overall Scottish Government spend on hospitality during the period January 2025 – present (October 2025).

Response

The following response and financial information is based on the ordinary meaning of the term hospitality defined as the friendly & generous reception and entertainment of guests/visitors/strangers. Therefore you will find below information pertaining to staff who have been hired by SG in service orientated roles such as chefs, front of house staff, servers, etc. who have responsibilities ranging from food & beverage services through to event management including those employed in the various canteens, cafes, etc. across the SG estate.

The total spent on employing ‘hospitality’ staff during the period January 2025 – present (October 2025) by Scottish Government is £3,462,231.79 of which staffing costs equate to £1,675,664.73.

The amount paid to private companies to provide catering services during the period January 2025 –present (October 2025) is £1040 to L’Chaims and £3,462,231.79 to our SG catering contractor for all “hospitality”

The overall Scottish Government spend on hospitality during the period January 2025 – present (October 2025) is £3,463,271.79, this is broken down as follows, SG Catering contractor £3,462,231.79 and L’Chaims £1040

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.