Permanent Secretary correspondence: FOI release

Information requested

Under FOI I would like to request all correspondence and notes of meetings between Joe Griffin and ministers in January 2026 to date.

Response

Please find attached requested documents. Annex B is an overview of the documents.

Some exemptions have been applied of which are outlined in Annex A.

Some documents which have been withheld in their entirety due to - Section 30(b)(i) – free and frank provision of advice (Annex A). These documents include policy advice from the Permanent Secretary to First Minister.

Annex A

The exemptions that apply in this instance are:

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

Some information has been withheld as an exemption under section 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice) of FOISA applies to that information.

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 an open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing a private space for officials to provide free and frank advice to Ministers and officials in advance of internal government discussions on current issues and government priorities prior to any information being presented in the public domain.

Section 30(b)(ii) – free and frank exchange of views for the purpose of deliberation

Some information has been withheld under Section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views for the purpose of deliberation) because disclosure would, or would likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice for the purposes of deliberation.

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 disclosing the information as part of an open, transparent, and accountable government. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing a private space for officials to share their views for the purpose of deliberation.

Annex B

	Correspondence
1	1. 24.02.26 - Meeting Agenda - Minister for Public Finance
2	2. 07.01. 26 - Meeting Agenda - Minister for Public Finance
3	3. 02.03.26 - CalMac settlement payment - review and learning - Cabinet Secretary for Transport
4	4. 27.02.26 - Cessation of Ministerial Appointment - Cabinet Secretary Finance & Local Government
5	5. 19.02.26 - Cessation of Ministerial Appointment - Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise
6	6. 05.03.26 - Cessation of Ministerial Appointment - Minister for Business and Employment
7	7. 23.02.26 - Cessation of Ministerial Appointment - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform & Islands
8	8. 09.02.26 - Meeting Request - Cabinet Secretary for Housing
9	9. 19.02.26 - Meeting Request - Minister for Public Finance
10	10. 23.02.26 - Meeting Request - Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills
11	11. 21.01.26 - Meeting with Perm Sec and Mr McKee on Culture in the PSR - Minister for Public Finance
12	12. 06.03.26 - Meeting Request - Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Care
13	13. 06.03.26 - Meeting with the Permanent Secretary early 2026 - Minister for Public Finance
14	14. 26.01.26 - Note of Meeting - Culture and PSR - Minister for Public Finance
15	15. 13.02.26 - Potential Exit Interview - Ms Hyslop - Cabinet Secretary for Transport
16	16. 15.01.26 - Process - Privy Council - security briefing requests - First Minister
17	17. 17.02.26 - Cessation of Ministerial Appointment - Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans
18	18. 05.03.26 - routine submission on class contact time reduction analysis - Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills
19	19. 02.03.26 - Assurance Note Mandelson - First Minister

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FOI 202600509753 - Information Released - Documents 1 - 19

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