Scottish Government internal warnings and escalations on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) implementation: FOI release

Information requested

1. All internal briefings, emails, risk escalations, warnings, or concerns raised by Scottish Government officials in the last 12 months relating to:

• risks associated with FGM in Scotland,
• gaps in FGM services or implementation, or
• failures or delays in meeting Scottish Government commitments on FGM.

2. Any documents, minutes, correspondence, or submissions that were escalated to Deputy Director or Director level regarding FGM implementation during the same period.
3. Any internal assessments or commentary identifying risks, issues, or areas requiring urgent action linked to FGM policy, safeguarding, or multi-agency cooperation.
4. The Action log, the most up to date and recent

Response

I enclose a copy of some 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 an exemption under s30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice), s29(1)(a) (Formulation or development of Scottish Government policy) and s.38(1)(b) (personal information)] of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained below.

Some of 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 exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because this of the need for a open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in allowing officials to have a private space to provide Ministers with advice.

The answers to your questions are as following:

1. Please see the attached documents relating to your question. Some of the material which was found in relation to this question has been exempted due to s30 (b)(i) the free and frank provision of advice, s29(1)(a) (Formulation or development of Scottish Government policy) and s38(1)(b) personal information.
2. Deputy Director and Directors have been sighted on the progress of the 2020 Act. These documents have not been released as they relate to s30(b)(i) or s29(1)(a).
3. Please see the attached documents.
4. Please see attached the most up to date Action log for the FGM Act implementation. This action tracker was created for internal purposes and for use by officials.

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 202500494455 - Information Released - Annex

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