Documentation and advice sent to Scottish Government ministers by civil servants about Cameron Barracks in 2025: FOI release

Information requested

All documentation, including briefings, analysis and advice sent to Scottish Government ministers by civil servants about Cameron Barracks in 2025.

Response

In response to your request, I enclose some of the information you have requested.

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 Section 38 (personal information), Section 28 (UK relations) and Section 30 (free and frank provision of advice) of FOISA applies to that information.
In terms of Section 28 this is because there is a significant risk that releasing sensitive information could damage the Scottish Government’s relationship with the Home Office and this would likely result in the Scottish Government being excluded from information sharing in the future.

In terms of Section 30, it is important to ensure that free and frank provision of advice between officials and ministers, especially on sensitive matters, are not prohibited.

Both Section 28 and Section 30 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 all the information requested 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 of the extent of interest in Cameron Barracks. However, this is outweighed by the fact that releasing all documentation in full would damage the Scottish Government’s relationship with the UK government. This could potentially result in the Scottish Government being excluded from future information sharing at meetings and inhibit the provision of free and frank advice to Ministers, impacting the effective conduct of public affairs.

A number of documents have been provided, with information redacted where exemptions have been applied (as outlined above). Please find attached the following documents:

1. A Scottish Cabinet paper on Cameron Barracks provided by officials to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice on 24 October 2025.
2. A briefing document provided by officials to Ministers on Cameron Barracks on 27 October 2025.
3. An email update provided to Ministers on Cameron Barracks on 28 October 2025.
4. A briefing note provided by officials to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice ahead of a meeting with The Highland Council on 31 October 2025.
5. A note from a meeting with The Highland Council provided to Ministers on 3 November 2025.
6. A meeting note provided by officials to Ministers following a meeting between the UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum, and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice on 4 November 2025.
7. An update provided by officials to Ministers on the Scottish Affairs Committee on 5 November 2025.
8. A briefing document on Cameron Barracks provided to Ministers on 17 December 2025.
9. A briefing pack provided to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice ahead of a meeting with the UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum on 15 December 2025.

The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice has also written to the UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum on four occasions during the time period of your request.

1.  Letter to Home Secretary on 26 September 2025: Immigration and asylum: Letter to UK Government  - gov.scot
2.  Letter to the Home Secretary on 29 October 2025: Accommodation for people seeking asylum:  Letter to UK Government - gov.scot
3.  Letter to the UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum on 4 November 2025: Clarification on housing people seeking asylum: Letter to UK Government - gov.scot
4.  Letter to the UK Minister for Border Security and Asylum on 27 November  2025 https://www.gov.scot/publications/cameron-barracks-letter-to-uk-government/
You many also wish to note that on Documents 4, 6 and 9, the Cabinet Secretary’s name is incorrectly noted. The correct spelling is Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP.

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 202600506202 - Information Released - Annex

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