Scottish Government budget and Barnett consequential meetings: FOI release

Information requested

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about the UK Budget, specifically about Barnett Consequentials, between 21 November 2025 and 11 December 2025.

Response

We enclose a copy of some of the information you have requested. We have compiled the extracts, related to your request, from the relevant documents identified in our search. These have been compiled together in the attached document with this response.

While our aim is to provide the requested information wherever possible, in this instance, we are unable to provide all the information you have requested because exemptions under section 28(1) (relations within the United Kingdom), section 29(1)(a) (formulation or development of government policy) and section 38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA apply. Further details about these exemptions have been noted below.

Exemption under Section 28(1) of FOISA
An exemption under section 28(1) of FOISA (relations within the UK) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between the Scottish Government and the UK Government. This is due to the fact the information relates to the formulation of Scottish Government and contains candid internal discussion about other administration’s policies. It is essential for the effective administration of the UK as a whole that there should be regular, and often private, communications between the Scottish Government, the UK Government and the other devolved administrations. Disclosure of this information will mean that the UK Government are likely to be more reluctant to communicate as frequently and openly with the Scottish Government in future. 

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 maintaining close working relationships between the Scottish Government and the UK Government, and in protecting the free exchange of information between the administrations to ensure that we keep each other fully and regularly informed about matters of mutual interest. There is no public interest in disclosing information when that will damage relationships and disrupt future communications as that may impact on the effectiveness of future policy development and implementation work.

Exemption under Section 29(1)(a) of FOISA
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 funding. 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, before taking a public position. Their candour in doing so will be affected by their assessment of whether discussions on funding will be disclosed in the near future, which may undermine or constrain the Government’s view on the policy while it is still under discussion and development.

Exemption under Section 38(1)(b) of FOISA
An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. names and email addresses of individuals, 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 202600501644 - Information Released - Annex

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