Correspondence regarding Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) funding: FOI release

Information requested

All recorded information held by the Scottish Government relating to the decision to provide (or pledge) £400,000 in support of a Scottish football fan's charity fundraising effort, specifically the initiative  involving Craig Ferguson’s walk across the United States (often referred to as the “Tartan Trek”) to raise funds for Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH). In particular, I request the following:

• Any minutes, notes, briefings, or records of discussions or meetings (including those involving the First Minister or other Ministers/officials) concerning the proposal or approval of this £400,000 funding.
• Internal and external correspondence (emails, letters, memos) relating to the decision to award this funding.
• Any assessments, business cases, cost-benefit analyses, or due diligence carried out regarding the proposed donation, including value for money considerations and the rationale for using public funds.
• Details of the funding mechanism (e.g., which budget or fund the money was allocated from, any conditions attached to the donation, and confirmation of whether the funds have been transferred).
• Any equality impact assessments, risk assessments, or other supporting documentation prepared in relation to this decision.
• Any records of communications with Craig Ferguson, SAMH, or other parties involved in the fundraising effort regarding the Scottish Government’s support.

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested. This can be found at Annex A.

In response to question 4, the money will be provided directly to SAMH via a grant assist them in delivering the Nook programme of walk-in mental wellbeing hubs. It forms part of our commitment to expand access to mental health support in communities across Scotland, including through communitybased mental health hubs - like the Nook. The £400,000 will be provided and managed from within the existing health and care portfolio budget for 2026-27.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some the information you have requested because of the following exemptions under FOISA:

• Section 25(1) – information is available elsewhere
• Section 29(1)(a) – formulation or development of Scottish Government policy;
• Section 29(1)(b) – communications between Ministers
• Sections 30(b)(i) and (ii) - free and frank advice and exchanges of views;
• Section 36(1) - legal advice;
• Section 38(1)(b) – personal identifiable information.

We have provided more information regarding these exemptions within Annex B, including explanations of which exemptions are subject to the public interest test.

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 202600521515 - Information Released - Annex A and Annex B

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