Rural Support Plan correspondence: EIR release

Information requested

1. Please can you provide an update as to when the Scottish Government intends to publish its rural support plan.

2. Any briefing provided to Jim Fairlie on the subject of the rural support plan since August 2025.

3. Any correspondence sent to or from Jim Fairlie, on the topic of the rural support plan, since August 2025.

Response

1. The answer to your first question is as soon as practicable.

2. There was no briefing provided on the subject of the Rural Support Plan since August 2025 only correspondence which is covered the answer to Question 3.

3. In answer to Question 3 we have provided all correspondence sent to or from Jim Fairlie, on the topic of the rural support plan, since August 2025.

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 of exemptions under; S10(4)(e) – Internal communications, S29(1)(a) – Formulation or development of Scottish Government policy, S30(b)(i) and (ii) – Free and frank provision of advice / views, and S38(1)(b) – Personal information, of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why those exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.

Annex A

An exemption applies, subject to the public interest test

Exemptions under S10(4)(e) – Internal communications, S29(1)(a) – Formulation or development of Scottish Government policy, S30(b)(i) and (ii) – Free and frank provision of advice / views, and S38(1) (b) – Personal information, of FOISA applies to that information.

S10(4)(e) – Internal communications allows you to refuse to disclose internal communications.
S29(1)(a) – formulation or development of Scottish Government policy applies to exempt information that relates to the development of policy.
S30(b)(i) and (ii) – free and frank provision of advice / views applies if disclosure would otherwise prejudice substantially the effective conduct of public affairs.
S38(1)(b) – personal information applies to protect personal data.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’.

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. The Rural Support Plan is being drafted and is subject to live Ministerial decisions. It is not in the public interest to disclose incomplete or unapproved drafts.

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 202500495203 - Information Released - Documents

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