Scottish Government analysis on labour market participation: FOI release

Information requested

1. Could you supply all analysis undertaken for or by the Scottish Government about a potential brain drain of talent from Scotland to elsewhere in the UK/world due to high taxation and/or negative behavioural changes, written in the last two months ? If this analysis has not been done, why not? In addition to this, any briefings/internal correspondence about this topic from the last two months as well?.

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

Some of the information you have requested is available from the Scottish Government website: Scottish economic insights: October 2024 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) and International competitiveness: overview - gov.scot (www.gov.scot). Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. You may also be interested in the following publication at gov.uk: Labour market participation and intra-UK migration of taxpayers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). 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.

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 s.38(1)(b) (personal information) and s.27(1)(publication in 12 weeks) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained below/in the Annex to this letter.

Annex

An exemption applies, subject to the public interest test

1. An exemption under section 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Section 38(1)(b) applies to the personal data of a third party – it applies to the withholding of information which discloses people's names.

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 some public interest in release because of the Interest in open and transparent govt. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in disclosing personal information of individuals below SCS level when it is unlikely to enhance public scrutiny of decision making.

2. An exemption under Section 27(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.

Section 27(1) applies to Information intended for future publication – it applies to the withholding of information which will be released in the future via the normal course of Government publication.

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 some public interest in release now because of the Interest in open and transparent govt. However, this is outweighed by the fact that the finalised version of the document will be released in the future via the normal course of Government publication.

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 202400435833 - Information Released - Annex

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