Social Security Programme Gateway Review information: FOI release

Information requested

On 20 November 2025, the Scottish Government released a list of the Gateway Reviews completed in calendar years 2024 and 2025.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202500480983/

Please supply all items of information in the Gateway Review completed in 2024 on the 'Social Security Programme' which is named on this list.

In order to fulfil this request as cheaply and efficiently as possible, it is suggested that copies of original files are released in PDF format.

Response

I have interpreted your request as you are asking for the review and the information contained within it. I have, therefore, not included any correspondence relating to the gateway review as part of this response. Please find attached a PDF of the final report of the Social Security Programme's Gateway Review.

An exemption under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA (free and frank provision of advice) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to provide free and frank advice to Ministers and other officials before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank advice of this subject matter will substantially inhibit the provision of such advice in the future, particularly because these discussions relate to a sensitive or controversial issue.

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 allowing a private space within which officials can provide full and frank advice to Ministers and other officials, as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government’s position, until the Government as a whole can adopt a decision that is sound and likely to be effective. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered so informed decisions can be made. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of this subject matter between Ministers and officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the decision making process, which would not be in the public interest.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. names and contact details, 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.

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 202500494979 - Information released - Annex

File type

PDF

File size

303.7 kB