NHS funding social media message correspondence: FOI release

Information requested

This request concerns the following tweet/post on Twitter/X:

https://x.com/scotgov/status/1736370730051195272?s=46&t=y9v1mXDn2DQJqjCpgZcKXg

Please answer the following questions. In answers where the person or persons concerned cannot be named, please state their positions.

1. Who composed the post/tweet? And who prepared the accompanying graphic?

2. Who gave final approval for the tweet/post including the accompanying graphic?

3. Please disclose all internal Scottish Government correspondence on the above tweet/post and the accompanying graphic. In other words: all correspondence relating to the original idea, the composition, and the final approval for the tweet/post.

Response

1. Who composed the post/tweet? And who prepared the accompanying graphic?
The post copy and graphic were prepared by Communications staff working with Policy colleagues.

2. Who gave final approval for the tweet/post including the accompanying graphic?
As per usual practice for Scottish Government social media posts, this post and graphic were shared as a draft with relevant Policy colleagues and Special Advisors, seeking confirmation of factual accuracy and suitability, and confirming clearance to issue. It was then shared with the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance for final clearance.

3. Please disclose all internal Scottish Government correspondence on the above tweet/post and the accompanying graphic. In other words: all correspondence relating to the original idea, the composition, and the final approval for the tweet/post.

Please find attached in Annex 1, correspondence relating to the post and graphic.

The following exemptions have been applied to some of this information:

Section 38(1)(b) - Personal Information
An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to some of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, eg names/contact details of individuals below the Senior Civil Service, and disclosing it would contravene the data protection principles in Article 5(1) of the General Data Protection Regulation and in section 34(1) of the Data Protection Act 2018. 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.

Section 30(c) – Substantial prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs
An exemption under section 30(c) of FOISA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) applies to some of the information requested. It is essential for officials to be able to communicate often in confidence on a range of issues. This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. We have considered if the public interest in disclosing 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, allowing Ministers and officials a private space within which to consider materials being drafted for public communication.

Out of scope
Parts of the correspondence have been redacted where they relate to discussions that are out of scope of the request. Correspondence of this nature regularly covers a range of topics or wider package of communications products. Where correspondence did not relate to the subject of this request, we have removed it.

In all cases, we have identified where exempt content has been removed as [REDACTED].

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 202300390033 - Information Released - Annex 1

File type

12 page PDF

File size

4.0 MB