First Minister USA/Canada visit, aims, outcomes, budgeted and actual costs: FOI release

Information requested

 

1.    A full disclosure of the budgeted costs, and actual costs of the forthcoming visit by the First Minister and staff to the United States of America and Canada.

2.    The specific aims, and hoped for outcomes of the trip.

Response

 

The budget for the trip comes from the Department for External Affairs overall yearly funding, so there is no set figure, however all spending must fall in line with our policy and costs are kept to a minimum. The final published budget for the year 2018-19 as voted on by the Scottish Parliament is that in the Spring Budget Revision:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotlands-budget-documents-2018-19-spring-budget-revision-budget-scotland-act-year-ending-31-march-2019/

You may wish to note that the Scottish Government publishes the budget in the form of the Draft Budget once a year. Chapter 13, which begins on page 163, provides a narrative and spending plans for  External Affairs  I hope you find this  helpful.

https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-budget-draft-budget-2018-19/

 

Request 2

The aim of the visit was to build on the existing links between Scotland and the US and Canada and to provide innovative opportunities for us to work together. The Scottish Government's relationship in the US and Canada is strong and remains vitally important in promoting our economic growth, as well as enhancing Scotland's reputation as a place of innovation, skills, cultural excellence and world class education.

It was also an opportunity to learn from each other's expertise in areas including climate change, gender equality and information technology . More information can be found in the link below.

https://www.gov.scot/news/promoting-scotland-in-north-america/

 

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