Comments on European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) programme funding: FOI release

Information requested

In relation to statements made by a Scottish Government official and by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, "any information held by Scottish Government which explains how these two statements can both be true. In particular, how it can be possible that money “is being spent currently” when “all projects supported by European structural funds were completed by December 2023."

Response

The design of the European Structural and Investment Funds is such that payments are made directly to project partners by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government then seeks reimbursement of these payments from the European Commission (EC) following a rigorous audit process. In their quote published by the Times on 20th June 2024 the Scottish Government spokesperson was correct to state that projects supported by European Structural Funds ceased activity by December 2023, this is in compliance with the guidance set-out by the EC. In her statement in the Scottish Parliament on 4th June 2024 the Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, was correct in saying that we, the Scottish Government, have until 2025 to claim reimbursement from the Commission. This again is in line with the regulations put in place by the EC. The Programmes had until December 2023 to deliver projects. They then had up until the end of January to submit final claims for project expenditure to the Scottish Government.The Scottish Government has until 2025 to claim reimbursement of eligible expenditure paid to projects from the EC.

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