Details of Deputy First Minister's trips to the United Arab Emirates: FOI release

Information requested

a) Could you supply the full costs of Kate Forbes' trips to the UAE in April 2025 and in January, including civil service costs, travel and accommodation, broken down by trip and what the money was spent on?

b) Could you also supply briefings and minute/notes from any meetings held by Ms Forbes during her January trip to UAE?

c) Did she raise human rights concerns during her visit?

Response

I enclose a copy of some of th e information you requested – please see attached and below.

a) Regarding your query about full costs of the Deputy First Minister’s visits to the UAE in April 2025 and January 2026, please find details below.

April 2025 – The Deputy First Minister was accompanied by a member of her Private Office and one policy official. Total costs incurred and claimed for duration of the visit were:

Flights – £4,435.46
Accommodation - £1,418.38
Travel - £50.02
Subsistence - £57.76

Overall for visit - £5961.62

January 2026 – The Deputy First Minister was accompanied by a member of her Private Office and two policy officials. Total costs incurred and claimed for duration of the visit were:

Flights – £3,853.44
Accommodation - £5,914.92
Travel - £99.25
Subsistence - £190

Overall for visit - £10,057.61

In response to points b) and c) of your query, I enclose some of the information you requested in the attached documents.

Document one – Briefing for the Deputy First Minister – Redacted [ATTACHED]
Document two – Meeting notes – Redacted [ATTACHED]

Information behind the Redactions:

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 various sections of FOISA.

These sections apply to some of the information you have requested:

Section 27(1) - Information intended for future publication

• Where the information is already scheduled for publication within 12 weeks of the request.

Section 28 (1) – Relations within the UK

• Where disclosure would be likely to prejudice confidential exchanges or working relationships between UK administrations

Section 30(b)(i) - Free and frank provision of advice or exchange of views

• Where the information contains free and frank advice or views provided to Ministers for their consideration.

Section 32(1)(a)(i) – Relations between the UK and any other state

• Where disclosure would be likely to prejudice the UK’s ability to maintain effective relations or conduct its business with another state.

Section(32)(1)(a)(iv) – Promotion or protection by the UK of its interests abroad

• Where disclosure would be likely to substantially prejudice the UK’s ability to promote or protect its interests internationally.

Section 33(1)(b) - Commercial interests

• Where releasing the information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of an organisation or individual. Certain aspects of the information are considered sensitive and cannot be released publicly.

These exemptions are 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 some public interest in disclosure to promote open, transparent and accountable government, and to support informed public debate about Scottish Government decision‑making and policy development.

However, we have concluded that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemptions. In this case, releasing the information would be likely to prejudice sensitive policy discussions, harm confidential exchanges between administrations or international partners, undermine the UK’s ability to conduct its business abroad, or adversely affect commercial interests. Protecting the space for officials and Ministers to receive free and frank advice, maintaining trusted relationships within the UK and internationally, and safeguarding commercially sensitive material is considered to be of greater public interest in this instance.

Section 38(1)(b) - Personal data relating to third party

• Where the information contains personal data relating to an identifiable third party, and disclosure would breach data protection principles. All names of Civil Servants below SCS level and contact details have been redacted.

This exemption is NOT subject to the 'public interest test'.

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FOI 202600505188 - Information released - Documents

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