Reduction of public sector workforce risks registers and progress: FOI release

Information requested

“All risk registers and progress updates held by the Scottish Government, in relation to Shona Robison’s promise to reduce the public sector workforce by an average of 0.5% every year, from the last month.”

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested for the period 02/11/25 to 01/12/25.
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 the following exemption(s) apply to that information:

• Section 25(1) – Information otherwise accessible
• Section 29(1)(a) – Development or formulation of government policy
• Section 30(b)(i) – Free and frank provision of advice
• Section 30(b)(ii) – Free and frank exchange of views
• Section 38(1)(b) – Personal data relating to third party

The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex A contained in this letter.

Annex A

REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION

An exemption applies

Section 38(1) – personal data of a third party

An exemption under section 38(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption applies because the information is personal data of a third party (e.g., 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. At several points in the Annex, names and other personal data have been marked as redacted.

Section 25 – information is reasonably available elsewhere

An exemption under section 25 of FOISA applies to some of the information you requested. This exemption applies where the information is reasonably available elsewhere. In this case, you can access the information here Public sector: economic overview - gov.scot and Public Sector Employment in Scotland Statistics for 2nd Quarter 2025 - gov.scot

This exemption is not subject to the ‘public interest test’, so we are not required to consider whether the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

An exemption applies subject to the public interest test

Section 29(1)(a) – formulation or development of government policy

An exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of government policy) applies to some of the information requested because it relates to the development of the Scottish Government’s policy on the reduction of the public sector workforce.

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 high quality policy and decision-making, and in the properly considered implementation and development of policies and decisions. This means that Ministers and officials need to be able to consider all available options and to debate those rigorously, to fully understand their possible implications. Their candour in doing so will be affected by their assessment of whether the discussions on the reduction of the public sector workforce will be disclosed in the near future, when it may undermine or constrain the Government’s view on that policy while it is still under discussion and development. At several points, this information has been marked as redacted.

Section 30(b)(i) – free and frank provision of advice

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 other officials before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank advice on the reduction of the public sector workforce will substantially inhibit the provision of such advice in the future, particularly because these discussions are still ongoing and decisions have not been taken.

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 other officials, as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government’s policy position on the reduction of the public sector workforce, until the Government as a whole can adopt a policy that is sound and likely to be effective. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, based on the best available advice, so that good policy decisions can be taken.

Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between Ministers and officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the policy making process, which would not be in the public interest. At several points, this information has been marked as redacted.

Section 30(b)(ii) – free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation

An exemption under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption recognises the need for Ministers and officials to have a private space within which to discuss and explore options before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank discussions on the reduction of the public sector workforce would significantly undermine the ability to conduct such discussions in the future, particularly given the sensitivity and complexity of the issues involved.

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 Ministers and officials a private space within which to explore and refine the Government’s policy position on the reduction of the public sector workforce until the Government as a whole can adopt a policy that is sound and likely to be effective. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, allowing good policy decisions to be taken.

Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between Ministers and officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the policy making process, which would not be in the public interest. At several points, this information has been marked as redacted.

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 202500496119 - Information Released - Annex

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