Correspondence regarding meetings between Jewish groups and First Minister: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for all correspondence sent to and received by the Scottish Government from Jewish groups, and all minutes/notes from meetings between Jewish groups and John Swinney, from 2026 and all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, which mentions or is to/from For Women Scotland, between February 1 2026 and March 30 2026?

Response

All correspondence sent to and received by the Scottish Government from Jewish groups, and all minutes/notes from meetings between Jewish groups and John Swinney, from 2026

While we have identified relevant correspondence within the scope of your request, we are unable to disclose this information.

This information is being withheld under section 39(1) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, as disclosure would, or would be likely to, endanger the physical or mental health or safety of individuals. Given the sensitive nature of the subject matter and the current context affecting the Jewish community, releasing this material could increase risks to those involved.

This exemption is subject to the public interest test. While we recognise there is a public interest in transparency, we consider that this is outweighed by the public interest in protecting the safety and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

In addition, section 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views) applies, as disclosure would be likely to inhibit substantially the ability of stakeholders and officials to engage openly and constructively on sensitive issues in future.

There is a strong public interest in ensuring that the Scottish Government can receive candid input from affected communities.

Where relevant, section 38(1)(b) (personal data) also applies to any information that could identify individuals, as disclosure would contravene data protection principles.

I can confirm that there have been no meeting between Jewish Groups and the First Minister John Swinney in 2026.

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, which mentions or is to/from For Women Scotland, between February 1 2026 and March 30 2026

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the costs of locating, retrieving and providing the information requested would exceed the upper cost limit of £600. This is because a keyword search of the Scottish Government's electronic records returned a large number of emails and documents that could potentially be in scope of your request. Under section 12 of FOISA public authorities are not required to comply with a request for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying would exceed the upper cost limit, which is currently set at £600 by Regulations made under section 12.

You may wish to consider reducing the scope of your request in order that the costs can be brought below £600. You may find it helpful to look at the Scottish Information Commissioner's 'Tips for
requesting information under FOI and the EIRs' on his website at: How do I ask for information? |Scottish Information Commissioner.

 

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.