Correspondence and briefings and the costs of Deputy First Minister of Scotland trip to Stornoway on November 5: FOI release

Information requested

“Correspondence sent and received, analysis and briefings and the full costs of Kate Forbes trip to Stornoway on November 5”.

Response

I enclose a copy of the information you requested.

The answer to your question on the total cost of Kate Forbes’ visit to Stornoway on 4 and 5 November 2025, including travel and accommodation for supporting officials, was £2,447.98.

Some of the information you have requested is available from Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts: November 2025 - gov.scot. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

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 sections s.30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice), s.33(1)(b) (commercial interests) and s.38(1)(b) (personal data relating to a third party) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained in the Annex to this letter.

ANNEX

An exemption applies
An exemption under section s.38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Section s.38(1)(b) regarding the release of personal data relating to a third party where disclosure would contravene UK GDPR data protection principles.
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.

An exemption applies, subject to the public interest test
An exemption under section s.33(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Section s.33(1)(b) around Commercial interests means that information which may substantially prejudice the commercial interests of any person may be exempt from disclosure and can relate to a person or organisation’s trading activity.
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 and transparent government, and to help account for the expenditure of public money. However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the commercial interests of companies we engage with, to avoid releasing information which could inadvertently undermine their competitiveness or which could impact our ability to obtain information from them for the purposes of growing Scotland’s economy.
An exemption under section s.30(b)(i) of FOISA also applies to some of the information you have requested. Section 30(b)(i) on the free and frank provision of advice exempts disclosure of information which inhibits the provision of advice to ministers.
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 allowing a private space within which officials can provide full and frank advice to Ministers, as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government’s position on several key issues affecting the Outer Hebrides in November 2025, until the Government as a whole can adopt a decision that is sound and likely to be effective. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, based on the best available advice, so that good decisions can be taken. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between Ministers and officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of decision-making, which would not be in the public interest.

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FOI 202600511063 - Information Released - Annex

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