Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Cop15 Trip Costs: FOI release

Information requested

How much did it , completely cost, to send Lorna Slater to COP15 in Montreal 2022?

1. 1. Break down of travel costs, and methods of travel - Start to Finish.
2. 2. Hotel costs.
3. 3. All other additional expenses.

Since this meeting has been completed their should be no security reasons for divulging the costs. If the Green Party paid fully for this trip then please disregard this request, but acknowledge if this is the case.

Response

Thank you for your request dated 27 January 2023, under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA). The 20 working day deadline for reply to your request was 24 February and I apologise for this delayed response, which is due to a combination of case handler illness and colleague availability in collating the information requested.

I enclose a copy of all of the information you have requested regarding the costs related to the Minister for Circular Economy, Green Skills and Biodiversity attendance at COP 15.

For parts 1 and 2 of your request, the Minister travelled between 9-17 December 2022, which necessitated air travel using scheduled, economy flights, and overnight hotel and breakfast accommodation. Total cost for flights, accommodation and additional expenses is £3936.85. A breakdown of those costs is described below. Canadian Dollar to GB Pound conversion rates are calculated using the rate of 20 December 2022, which is the invoice date for these costs;

Flight costs	£1661.63
Room and breakfast costs 9-17 Dec ($329 CAD per night excl. tax)	$2632 (excl. taxes) £1587.36*   $3470 (incl. taxes & luggage charge) *£2092.76
Additional Expenses (local travel, food and subsistence)	£182.46
Total cost	£3936.85

*20 Dec 2022 - $1 CAD = £0.6031 Canadian Dollar to British Pound Spot Exchange Rates for 2022

Regarding methods of travel, the Minister travelled using scheduled economy flights, walked between the hotel and the venue each day and used local buses for other journeys. One car-share journey was undertaken with the Welsh Minister on arrival in Montreal, in a vehicle provided by the Scottish Government Canada Hub.

Regarding Part 3 of your request, additional expenses incurred relate to meals, and local bus and tram travel to Montreal and Edinburgh airports respectively.

You might wish to be aware that information about Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts is released regularly by the Scottish Government on its website at Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). Information relating to the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity’s attendance at COP15 will be published as part of this proactive release of information.

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