Review undertaken by Social Security Scotland to identify saving options: FOI release

Information requested

Request for information 1: The copy of communication received by Social Security Scotland from the Scottish Government that asked for the identification savings options. (Referred to by the Cabinet Secretary).

Request for information 2: A copy of the initial reply to the Scottish Government by Social Security Scotland that acknowledged the government’s request.

Request for information 3: A copy of the full review that Social Security Scotland undertook and sent back to Scottish Government. (The “review and reprofiling of recruitment” that the Cabinet Secretary referred to).

Request for information 4: A copy of any correspondence (in letter or email form) between the Social Security Scotland Chief Executive and the Cabinet Secretary that refers to the task of reviewing and reprofiling of recruitment.

Response

Request for information 1:

Please find some of the information you have requested within the attached document.

An exemption under section 30(c) of FOISA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) applies to some of the information requested, including the attachments referenced in the attached document. Disclosing this information would substantially prejudice our ability to conduct financial management effectively which is based on our ability to analyse and discuss the cause of over or underspends and assess the risk around making different decisions to ensure financial balance. This would constitute substantial prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs in terms of the exemption.

We have assessed this request against the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the 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. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government. However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the processes for financial management and ensuring that the Scottish Government is able to conduct this effectively. This means that we have not disclosed the plans or associated explanations of any variation against plan which is business judgement. The information which has been provided is in line with the disclosure in our Annual Report and Accounts.

An exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of government policy) applies to some of the information requested because it relates to the development of the Scottish Government’s policy on the Scottish Budget.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the 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. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in high quality policy and decision-making, and in the properly considered implementation and development of policies and decisions. This means that Ministers and officials need to be able to consider all available options and to debate those rigorously, to fully understand their possible implications.

An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA (personal information) applies to a small amount of the information requested because it is personal data of a third party, i.e. names of individuals, 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.

Request for information 2:

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Social Security Scotland does not have the information you have requested. For requests of this nature, it is normal practice not to send an acknowledgement on receipt of the commission. We take action internally and then submit our final return by the deadline.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that Social Security Scotland does not have the information you have requested.

Request for information 3:

As a result of reprofiling recruitment, Social Security Scotland had 260 less full-time equivalent staff in our plans than originally projected over a 6-month period. This equated to a saving in the 2024/25 financial year of £7m.

An exemption under section 30(c) of FOISA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs) applies to some of the information requested. Disclosing this information would substantially prejudice our ability to conduct financial management effectively which is based on our ability to analyse and discuss the cause of over or underspends and assess the risk around making different decisions to ensure financial balance. This would constitute substantial prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs in terms of the exemption.

We have assessed this request against the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the 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. We recognise that there is a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government. However, there is a greater public interest in protecting the processes for financial management and ensuring that the Scottish Government is able to conduct this effectively. This means that we have not disclosed the plans or associated explanations of any variation against plan which is business judgement. The information which has been provided is in line with the disclosure in our Annual Report and Accounts.

Request for information 4:

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Social Security Scotland does not have the information you have requested.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that Social Security Scotland does not have the information you have requested.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202400431699 - Information Released - Annex

File type

4 page PDF

File size

1.4 MB