Welcome to School Bag scheme: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Information requested
"1. A copy of any email sent from or to the Cabinet Secretary’s inbox containing the words ‘Welcome to school bag’. The time range for this request would is from 10th May 2026 to 25th June 2026.
2. A copy of any correspondence sent from the Cabinet Secretary or her team regarding the welcome to school bag. More specifically, any letters or briefing materials on the issue. The time range for this request would is from 10th May 2026 to 25th June 2026.
3. The number of meetings in which this policy has already been discussed. Please confirm the number and specify if these meetings were between officials or included Cabinet Secretary.
4. Confirmation of when the Scottish Government hopes to deliver the school bags. In other words if the Scottish Government has a provisional date of delivery.
5. Confirmation of whether or not the Scottish Government has begun work on costing this policy. Of course I am asking if any costing has been done up until 25th June.
6. Confirmation of whether or not the Scottish Government has identified and allocated funds to pay for this policy."
Response
I enclose a copy of all of the information you requested within the above time frame. For the purposes of this request, we have interpreted the Cabinet Secretary's team to mean her Private Office, Special Advisers, and policy officials.
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 an exemption(s) under section(s) s.29(1)(a) (policy formulation), s.30(b)(i), free and frank provision of advice and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information.
In answer to Question 3, there have been 16 meetings of only Scottish Government Officials, two further meetings with external attendees, and one engagement attended by the Cabinet Secretary have taken place.
In answer to Question 4, the Scottish Government has not yet agreed a provisional delivery date for this commitment as work is still on going.
In answer to question 5, by 25th June the policy had not been costed as officials developed options for the design, contents, procurement and delivery options for the commitment.
In answer to question 6, by 25th June the Scottish Government had not confirmed the allocation of funds to this policy commitment.
About FOI
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Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG