Allocation of funding to Long COVID Support Fund: FOI release

Information requested

1. Methodology and Decision-Making:

• A) Any documentation, reports, or correspondence that detail the methodology used to determine the allocation of £10 million to the Long COVID Support Fund and its subsequent extension over five years.
• B) Information on who was involved in the decision-making process and which individuals or departments were consulted or advised in determining this amount.

2. Cost/Benefit Analysis:

• Any cost/benefit analyses or financial models conducted prior to or following the decision to allocate £10 million to the Long COVID Support Fund.

3. Recommendations and Effectiveness:

• A) Any internal or external recommendations regarding the funding allocation, as well as any assessments or advice on the anticipated impact of the fund on those affected by Long COVID.
• B) Details of any measures or metrics currently in place to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the Long COVID Support Fund.

4. Review Timetable:

• Documentation or correspondence detailing any planned or ongoing reviews of the Long COVID Support Fund, including the dates and scope of such reviews.

This information for the period from 1st January 2021 to the date of your request (8 October 2024).

Response

1A.
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested, in documents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 38.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption under section 38(1)(b) (Personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reason why that exemption applies is explained in the Annex to this letter.

1B.
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested, in documents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 38.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption under section 38(1)(b) (Personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reason why that exemption applies is explained in the Annex to this letter.

2.
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested, in documents 8, 11, 15, 16, 19, 20, 22 and 23.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption under section 38(1)(b) (Personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reason why that exemption applies is explained in the Annex to this letter.

3A.
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested, in documents 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption under section 38(1)(b) (Personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reason why that exemption applies is explained in the Annex to this letter.

3B.
All of the information you have requested is available from the Scottish Parliament website at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/questions-and-answers/question?ref=S6W-26001. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

4.
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested, in documents 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under sections 30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation) and 38(1)(b) (Personal information) of FOISA apply to that information. The reasons why those exemptions apply are explained in the Annex to this letter.

Annex

Section 30(b)(ii) – free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation.

An exemption under section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure would, or would be likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to discuss issues and options with external stakeholders before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view. Disclosing the content of these discussions with the long COVID Strategic Network facilitated by NHS National Services Scotland will substantially inhibit such discussions in the future, because these stakeholders will be reluctant to provide their views fully and frankly if they believe that those views are likely to be made public, particularly while these discussions are still ongoing and decisions have not been taken.

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 allowing officials a private space within which to communicate with appropriate external stakeholders as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government’s policy position on the future of the long COVID Support Fund, until the Government as a whole can adopt a decision that is sound and likely to be effective.

This private space is essential to enable all options to be properly considered, so that good policy decisions can be taken based on fully informed advice and evidence, such as that provided by the long COVID Strategic Network facilitated by NHS National Services Scotland. Premature disclosure is likely to undermine the full and frank discussion of issues between the Scottish Government and these stakeholders, which in turn will undermine the quality of the decision making process, which would not be in the public interest. There is also an important public interest in avoiding the loss of stakeholder confidence in cases where they thought they were providing comments in confidence, which would be inevitable if an individual’s contribution was released against their wishes.

38(1)(b) (personal data relating to a third party)

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, ie names, contact details, 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.

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 202400435489 - Information Released - Annex

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