Open Market Shared Equity scheme threshold modelling: FOI release

Information requested

• The source data it uses to update the OMSE price thresholds, i.e. that listed at https://www.gov.scot/publications/open-market-shared-equity-thresholds/.
• Any modelling information it uses to determine the OMSE thresholds, including that used in 2015-16, and applied from 2018 (per S6W-08965)  to conduct a comprehensive analysis of house prices where it linking price data with property characteristics data (i.e. bedroom number with lower quartile and median thresholds).
• The data that is collecting for any forthcoming comprehensive analysis.

Please also provide materials which brief or narrate the threshold modelling, the threshold pinning used since 2018, and papers that support the annual uprating of the thresholds used.

Response

For your request:

• The source data it uses to update the OMSE price thresholds, i.e. that listed at https://www.gov.scot/publications/open-market-shared-equity-thresholds/  
• Any modelling information it uses to determine the OMSE thresholds, including that used in 2015-16, and applied from 2018 (per S6W-08965)  to conduct a comprehensive analysis of house prices where it linking price data with property characteristics data (i.e. bedroom number with lower quartile and median thresholds).
• The data that is collecting for any forthcoming comprehensive analysis.

We have attached an Excel workbook containing information on the price calculations used for determining the Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) thresholds for each of the years 2018 to 2022. The workbook also contains a cover sheet that sets out the data and methodology used.

For your request:

Please also provide materials which brief or narrate the threshold modelling, the threshold pinning used since 2018, and papers that support the annual uprating of the thresholds used.

We have attached a PDF document containing four Ministerial briefings and two emails to Ministers regarding the OMSE threshold modelling.

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 under section s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

An exemption under section 30(b)(i) of FOISA (free and frank provision of advice) also applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to provide free and frank advice to Ministers and other officials before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of free and frank advice will substantially inhibit the provision of such advice in the future, particularly as the OMSE threshold prices are reviewed on an annual basis.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing a private space within which officials can provide full and frank advice to Ministers, as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government’s policy position on the OMSE threshold prices. This private thinking space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, based on the best available advice, so that good policy decisions can be taken. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between Ministers and officials, which in turn will undermine the quality of the policy making process, which would not be in the public interest.

We have also redacted parts in each Ministerial briefing that were deemed to be out of scope of your request.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202200316132 - Information Released - Annex A

File type

Excel document

File size

92.0 kB

FOI 202200316132 - Information Released - Annex B

File type

PDF

File size

797.4 kB