European Structural and Investment Funds: FOI release

Information requested

This request is about two statements made in the Scottish Parliament by the Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes. The statements are both about the Scottish Government’s utilisation of EU European Structural and Investment Funds.

On 4th June 2024, Kate Forbes said:

“We do not expect Scotland to be markedly different from the level that was achieved in previous schemes.”

And on 6th June 2024, Kate Forbes said:

“To have spent all the money a year in advance would itself raise questions. Secondly, we do not expect the final figures to be markedly different from those elsewhere in the United Kingdom or from those of previous programmes.”

Please answer the following questions:

(1.) Are the expectations mentioned by Kate Forbes in the Scottish Parliament based on Scottish Government forecasts of what the final outturn data will look like for Scotland and for the other nations of the United Kingdom?
(2.) If so, who compiled these forecasts? On what date were the forecasts compiled?
(3.) Please provide the forecasts on which Kate Forbes was relying (for both Scotland and the other nations of the United Kingdom).
(4.) If no such forecasts exist, please explain on what basis Kate Forbes’ statements in the Scottish Parliament on 4th and 6th June 2024 were true.

Response

1. It’s too soon to forecast final expenditure figures and reimbursements – these figures won’t be known until the second half of 2025 at the earliest.

2. The forecasts are based on money allocated from the funds to our Lead Partners and the money expected to be claimed and reimbursed from the EC to the Scottish Government. Final figures will be subject to numerous adjustments and variations including audit activity and exchange rates.

3. The forecasts are based on money allocated from the funds to our Lead Partners and the money expected to be claimed and reimbursed from the EC to the Scottish Government. Final figures will be subject to numerous adjustments and variations including audit activity and exchange rates.

4. The forecasts are based on money allocated from the funds to our Lead Partners and the money expected to be claimed and reimbursed from the EC to the Scottish Government. Final figures will be subject to numerous adjustments and variations including audit activity and exchange rates.

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