Documentation related to tackling child poverty: FOI release

Information requested

1. Could you supply all minutes/notes from meetings and all briefings about combating child poverty between September 1 2024 and September 2024?

2. Could you supply all briefings and internal correspondence held by the Scottish Government about the Winter Fuel Payment being axed, between September 10 2024 and September 20 2024?

Response

With reference to part one of your request, i.e. "Could you supply all minutes/notes from meetings and all briefings about combating child poverty between September 1 2024 and September 2024", we have interpreted this to mean information that is directly related to tackling child poverty, including information relating to the Scottish Government's Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan. I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

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.25(1) (information otherwise accessible, s.29(1)(a) (policy formulation), s.30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice), s.30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views), and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information.

In respect of s.29(1)(a), s.30(b)(i) and s.30(b)(ii), these exemptions are 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 general public interest in tackling child poverty. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in allowing a private space for officials and ministers to exchange views, provide advice, and develop policy.

With reference to part two of your request, i.e. "Could you supply all briefings and internal correspondence held by the Scottish Government about the Winter Fuel Payment being axed, between September 10 2024 and September 20 2024", while our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the costs of locating, retrieving and providing the information requested would exceed the upper cost limit of £600. This is due to the volume of information within scope of your request. Under section 12 of FOISA public authorities are not required to comply with a request for information if the authority estimates that the cost of complying would exceed the upper cost limit, which is currently set at £600 by Regulations made under section 12.

You may, however, wish to consider reducing the scope of your request in order that the costs can be brought below £600. You may do this by, e.g. narrowing the timeframe of your request. You may also find it helpful to look at the Scottish Information Commissioner's 'Tips for requesting information under FOI and the EIRs' on his website at: http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/Tipsforrequesters.aspx.

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 2020400441728 - Information released

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PDF

File size

1.5 MB

FOI 2020400441728 - Information released - Schedule of documents

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PDF

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86.7 kB