Correspondence regarding Independence Referendum: FOI release

Information requested

1. Has the Scottish Government modelled how many embassies it would create in the event of independence and how much these would cost? If so, could you supply this modelling? If not, why?

2. All correspondence between the Scottish Government and European Council President Charles Michel between January 1 2023 and the date of this FOI?

3. All internal correspondence regarding the independence referendum date planned on October 19 2023 between January 1 2023 and the date of this FOI?

4. Has the Scottish Government undertaken any work getting ready for an independence referendum this year? If so, what work has been done and how much has been spent on it?

5. What is the Scottish Government policy on triple lock pensions in an independent Scotland? Could you supply all internal correspondence and briefings for ministers about this prepared between July 1 2023 and the date of this FOI?

6. Humza Yousaf said on Twitter on September 15: "More & more business people are being persuaded by our economic case for independence." Can you provide the evidence for this statement?

7. All internal correspondence from between August 1 2023 and the date of this FOI about Export Statistics Scotland (ESS) and the lack of publication of them.

Response

1. Has the Scottish Government modelled how many embassies it would create in the event of independence and how much these would cost? If so, could you supply this modelling? If not, why? 

Given the lack of time frame provided for this question, we have interpreted your question as pertaining to the same time frame as the other questions in this request. Meaning we have searched for information between January 1 2023 and the date of this FOI.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested because an exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of government policy) applies the information requested. The reason why this exemption applies is explained in Annex A of this letter.

2.All correspondence between the Scottish Government and European Council President Charles Michel between January 1 2023 and the date of this FOI?

Following a search of our records, I can confirm that no information is held. This is a formal notice under Section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested.

3.All internal correspondence regarding the independence referendum date planned on October 19 2023 between January 1 2023 and the date of this FOI?

Following a search of our records, I can confirm that no information is held. This is a formal notice under Section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested.

4. Has the Scottish Government undertaken any work getting ready for an independence referendum this year? If so, what work has been done and how much has been spent on it?

We have interpreted your question as concerning work conducted in 2023 in respect of holding a referendum on independence in 2023.

Following a search of our records, I can confirm that no information is held. This is a formal notice under Section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested.

5. What is the Scottish Government policy on triple lock pensions in an independent Scotland? Could you supply all internal correspondence and briefings for ministers about this prepared between July 1 2023 and the date of this FOI?

As to the second part of your request, while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested because an exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of government policy) applies the information requested. The reason why this exemption applies is explained in Annex A of this response.

6. Humza Yousaf said on Twitter on September 15: "More & more business people are being persuaded by our economic case for independence." Can you provide the evidence for this
statement?

It may first of all be helpful to explain that the social media post you refer to is from an account run by the First Minister in an entirely personal capacity, and the Scottish Government had no involvement with its content or output.

The First Minister meets many individuals and businesses from across Scotland and will hear views on a range of topics. Views expressed in relation to the economic case for independence are not routinely recorded by the Scottish Government. This is a formal notice under S.17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

7. All internal correspondence from between August 1 2023 and the date of this FOI about Export Statistics Scotland (ESS) and the lack of publication of them.

Some of the information you have requested is included in Annex B. Exemptions under s.38(1)(b), s.30(b)(i), s.30(b)(ii) and s.30(c) of FOISA apply to some of the information you have requested. The
reason why these exemptions applies is explained in Annex A of this response. 

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 - 202300377834 - Information released - Annex A & Annex B

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