Summary of the Cabinet Secretary’s diary commitments relating to the teacher strikes: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Information requested
On Tuesday 7th February 2023 the Cabinet Secretary for Education said in Parliament:
“Every single day and every single week, we will continue to endeavour to ensure that the dispute is brought to an end”
Could you please provide a summary of the Cabinet Secretary’s diary commitments relating to this issue covering each day of November 2022, December 2022, January 2023 and as much of February 2023 as you are able to? This does not need to include any information that would breach GDPR or single out any individuals she has met but simply summarise what she has done every day in those months to bring the strike to an end. If there are days where this has not happened, please state which on your return.
Response
I enclose a copy of the information you requested.
You will wish to note that teachers’ pay is a matter for the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT). While the SNCT is a tripartite body, comprising members from teaching organisations, COSLA, and the Scottish Government, it is important to note that only local government, as the employer, can make a revised offer of pay.
From 1 November 2022 to 8 February 2023, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills had 40 diarised commitments on the subject of teachers’ pay and industrial action.
Diarised commitments include meetings and telephone calls specifically or predominantly to discuss these issues. They do not include commitments on other matters that may have touched upon these issues, or meetings or telephone calls undertaken by officials. Diarised commitments also do not include related activities undertaken to bring the dispute to an end (e.g., work on advice and submissions, ad hoc discussions with officials and advisors, ministerial correspondence, parliamentary questions or media business).
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Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
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