Cost of First Minister’s trips to London: FOI release

Information requested

How many times has John Swinney visited London on government business since May 2024?

Could you supply full costs from John Swinney's trip to London on January 26, including costs of civil servants and special adviser travel, accommodation and other expenses? Could you also supply briefings and minute/notes from any meetings held by Mr Swinney during his trip?

Response

In response to the first part of your request - How many times has John Swinney visited London on government business since May 2024?

The First Minister John Swinney MSP has visited London 9 times on government business since May 2024. You may wish to be aware that detail on these visits, as well as all Ministerial engagements, overseas travel, car journeys, domestic travel and gifts is available here - Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot

In response to the second part of your request - Could you supply full costs from John Swinney's trip to London on January 26, including costs of civil servants and special adviser travel, accommodation and other expenses? Could you also supply briefings and minute/notes from any meetings held by Mr Swinney during his trip?

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested in the attached annexes.

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 exemptions under the following sections.

• Section 38(1)(b) – Personal data relating to a third party
• Section 27 (1) – Information held with a view to future publication
• Section 39 (1) – Health and Safety
• Section 30 (b)(i) – Free and frank provision of advice
• Section 28(1) – Relations within the UK
• Section 32 (1)(a)(i) – Relations between the UK and any other state
• Section 32(1)(a)(ii) – relations between the UK and any international organisation
• Section 41 (a) Communications with the Royal Household

The reasons why each of those exemptions apply are explained below.

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

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.

Information is exempt under section 38(1)(b) if disclosure would contravene any of the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the UK GDPR.

The 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.

Redactions have been made where this is the case.

Section 27 (1) – Information held with a view to future publication

Please be aware that this release does not include information relating to the cost of travel for the First Minister and Special Adviser. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide this information because an exemption under section 27(1) Information intended for future publication of FOISA applies to that information. This exemption applies as details of ministerial and special adviser engagements, travel and gifts will be published within the next 12 weeks and will be available when published at the links below: Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot.

If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from Scottish Ministers, special advisers and the Permanent Secretary are covered by the terms of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016.

See www.lobbying.scot St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG www.gov.scot the website listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

Section 39 (1) – Health and Safety

Some of the costs incurred for this trip were in relation to security matters for the First Minister. The Scottish Government does not comment on the First Minister’s security matters. An exemption under section 39(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This is because disclosure would, or would be likely to, endanger the physical or mental health or safety of an individual.

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 some public interest in the arrangements for the First Minister’s security. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in the safety of the First Minister.

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

An exemption under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.

Information is exempt under section 30(b)(i) if disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice.

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 some public interest in release, however this is outweighed by the public interest in preventing the inhibition of the free and frank provision of advice.

Section 28(1) – Relations within the UK

An exemption under section 28(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.

Information is exempt under section 28 (1) if disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between administrations in the UK.

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 some public interest in release because disclosure would enhance public scrutiny of Government decision making. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring that advice provided by officials around matters concerns relations between institutions within the UK remains free and frank and that discussions between UK institutions remain free and frank.

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

An exemption under section 32(1)(a)(i) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Information is exempt under section 32(1)(a)(i) if disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between the UK and any other State.

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 some public interest in release because disclosure would enhance public scrutiny of Government decision making. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in avoiding substantial prejudice to UK-China relations.

Section 32(1)(a)(ii) – Relations between the UK and any international organisation

An exemption under section 32(1)(a)(ii) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Information is exempt under section 32(1)(a)(ii) if disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially relations between the UK and any international organisation.

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 some public interest in release because disclosure would enhance public scrutiny of advice provided to Ministers. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in avoiding substantial prejudice to Scotland/UK and EU relations.

Section 41 (a)(i) Communications with the Royal Household

An exemption under section 41(a)(i) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.

Information is exempt under section 41 (a)(i) if it relates to communications with the Royal Family or with the Royal Household.

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 some public interest in release because disclosure would enhance public understanding and scrutiny of discussions between the First Minister and members of the Royal Household. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in avoiding the inhibition of free and frank discussion between the First Minister and Members of the Royal Household.

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 202600505192 - Information Released - Annexes

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