First Minister’s Fair transition to net zero vital for Scotland’s economy keynote speech: FOI release

Information requested

You asked how many times has John Swinney met with the Just Transition Committee in the last 12 months, and if we could supply minutes/notes from these meetings, as well as any written feedback from after them.

Response

We have interpreted your request to refer to occasions/meetings where the First Minister has had direct engagement with the Just Transition Commission between 13th January 2025 and 13th January 2026. 

In relation to your request, the First Minister has not met with the Just Transition Commission between 13th January 2025 and 13th January 2026.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested therefore we are refusing your request under the exception at section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).

This exception 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 exception. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exception. While we recognise that there may be some public interest in meetings between the First Minister and the Just Transition Commission, we cannot provide information which we do not hold.

While Mr Swinney did not engage directly with the Just Transition Commission from 13th January 2025 to 13th January 2026, you may be interested to know that he did provide the keynote speech at the Commission’s summit in Edinburgh in October 2025. You can find comments which the First Minister made in advance of the event on the Scottish Government website using the following link - FM: “Fair transition to net zero vital for Scotland’s economy” - gov.scot

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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.