UK Government's local growth fund correspondence: FOI release

Information requested

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about the UK Government's local growth fund, from the last two months.

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you 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 sections 38 1(b) Third Party Personal Information and 30(b) Substantial Inhibition to free and frank advice of FOISA applies to that information.

An exemption under section 38 1(b) Third Party Personal Information applies to some of the information you have requested. Names, email addresses and phone numbers have been redacted where appropriate. 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 under 30(b) Substantial Inhibition to free and frank advice applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to exchange views and provide free and frank advice before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank advice on the Local Growth Fund will substantially inhibit the provision of such advice in the future. 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 as part of open, transparent and accountable government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in allowing a private space within which officials can provide full and frank advice as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government’s policy position.

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 202600511103 - Information Released - Annex

File type

PDF

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2.9 MB