Freedom of Information coverage extension: consultation

Scottish Government consultation process

58. Consultation is an essential part of the policy-making process. We will consider the views expressed in response to this consultation along with other available evidence to help inform the Scottish Government's decisions. You can find Scottish Government consultations online: https://consult.gov.scot. Each consultation details the issues under consideration, as well as a way for you to give us your views.

59. Consultation may also involve seeking views in other ways, such as public meetings.

60. Responses will be analysed and used as part of the decision making process, along with a range of other available information and evidence. We will publish a report of this analysis for every consultation.

61. Depending on the nature of the consultation exercise, the responses received may:

(a) indicate the need for policy development or review;

(b) inform the development of a particular policy;

(c) help decisions to be made between alternative policy proposals; or

(d) be used to finalise legislation before it is implemented.

62. While details of particular circumstances described in a response to a consultation exercise may usefully inform the policy process, consultation exercises cannot address individual concerns and comments, which should be directed to the relevant public body.