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

Information requested

I'm writing to request the following information in relation to the reported £400k charity donation made by the Scottish government to the appeal of mr Craig Ferguson, who I understand is raising money for charity by walking across America.

I would like to request the following:

1. Minutes of all meetings at which the proposed donation was discussed or approved

2. who originally proposed this donation and which officials/ministers were part of the decision making processs

3. minutes/official record of the meeting at which this expenditure was approved and who ultimately authorised the decision

4. From which department/budget will this £400k be supplied

5. copies of any emails/notes from data management system/due diligence/legal advice sought by ministers confirming it is within the powers of the Scottish govt to make such charitable donations

Response

You can find the response to your queries as below:

1. Minutes of all meetings at which the proposed donation was discussed or approved

Documents relating to your request can be found at Annex A.

2. who originally proposed this donation and which officials/ministers were part of the decision making processs

Documents relating to your request can be found at Annex A.

3. minutes/official record of the meeting at which this expenditure was approved and who ultimately authorised the decision

Documents relating to your request can be found at Annex A.

4. From which department/budget will this £400k be supplied

The money will be provided directly to SAMH via a grant assist them in delivering the Nook programme of walk-in mental wellbeing hubs.

The £400,000 will be provided and managed from within the existing health and care portfolio budget for 2026-27.

The money will be issued via a grant disbursed by ministerial authority under Section 16B of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 and will be subject to standard terms and conditions of a General Grant, including monitoring, reporting and auditing.

5. copies of any emails/notes from data management system/due diligence/legal advice sought by ministers confirming it is within the powers of the Scottish govt to make such charitable donations

Documents relating to your request can be found at Annex A.

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 202600521671 - Annex A and Annex B

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