Information on civil servants working in the Constitutional Futures Division: FOI release

Information requested

1. Please confirm the number of civil servants currently on the unit’s payroll.

2. Please also confirm, in list form, what material has gone from any civil servants on the units payroll to Special Advisors or Ministers since 1 July 2024. I do not want copies of documents, I just require a list of what has been sent to Advisors and Ministers in order to get a sense of what these officials are now spending their time on.

Response

Part 1:

At 4 September 2024, the Constitutional Futures Division comprised of 17 civil servants.

Part 2:

Please find below a list of all material which has been sent from civil servants working in the Constitutional Futures Division to Ministers and/or Special Advisers from 1 July 2024 – 4 September 2024:

• Briefing document sent to the First Minister
• Email to Special Advisers
• Email to Special Advisers
• Minute of meeting to the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Minute of meeting to the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Briefing document sent to the First Minister
• Briefing document sent to Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Email to First Minister
• Draft paper sent to Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Briefing document sent to the First Minister
• Briefing document sent to the First Minister
• Briefing document sent to the First Minister
• Briefing document sent to Special Advisers
• Parliamentary question sent to Special Advisers
• Parliamentary question sent to Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Briefing document sent to Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
• Copy of response to Freedom of information request sent to Special Advisers and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

Outwith FOISA, it may be helpful to explain that the Civil Service serves the government of the day and supports them to develop and implement its policies as effectively as possible. Although sending material to Ministers and Special Advisers is an important part of the role, civil servants also undertake a wide variety of further activities to support the work of the Scottish Government. This includes, but is not limited to, analysing and developing policy options, managing government contracts, responding to correspondence from members of the public, liaising with external stakeholders and providing in-person Ministerial support.

I should also make you aware that the Scottish Parliament summer recess took place earlier this year from 29 June 2024 – 1 September 2024, which covers most of the time period specified in your request. Parliament business happens throughout the year, with periods of "recess" (breaks). During recess, there are normally no meetings in the Chamber and no committee meetings. MSPs are usually in their local areas where they carry on work with constituents.

Due to this reduction in Parliamentary activity, Ministers will not require the same briefing and advice as during a Parliamentary session.

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.