Scottish Government International Offices food and drink spend: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Information requested
In each year since 2019/20, how much have Scottish Government International Offices spent on food and drink? Please provide data on both separately if possible.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 17(1) of FOISA in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. The reasons why we don't have the information are explained below.
Expenditure on hospitality including, food and drink is part of respective budgets for each international office and is incurred to support engagement at events with stakeholders, potential investors and wider partners as we seek to showcase all Scotland has to offer across a range of areas. The costs for many of these events through the respective suppliers are invoiced as packages, ie costed "per head" which would include food, costs for staffing and, where appropriate, alcohol. Therefore we are unable to disaggregate spend on food and drink specifically. I have however attached an annex for you, from a previous FOI, listing events broken down by each International office, from 2022, and where possible a breakdown is provided.
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.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
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