FOI/202200317490 · FOI · unclear
International offices in Europe: FOI release
Information requested
In relation to all information relating to the Scottish Embassies throughout Europe.
Why are these needed? What are they used for? Why are we wasting tax payer money on these? How much of tax payer money has been used to fund these useless Embassies?
Response
1 & 2. Scotland’s international network creates domestic opportunities, broadens our horizons, attracts investment and ultimately benefits the people of Scotland. Our international network and the people that work within it help further Scotland’s economic, cultural and policy visibility in key countries. The work of our offices includes:-
improving Scotland’s international profile attracting investment helping businesses to trade internationally promoting and securing research and innovation capability, partnerships and funding facilitating cultural exchanges and events protecting and enhancing Scotland’s interests in the EU and beyond
4. The budgets for the International Offices in Europe, since opening by year format, is listed below.
Location 2017-2018 £000 2018-2019 £000 2019-2020 £000 2020-2021 £000 2021-2022 £000 2022-2023 £000 Paris, France 500 545 558 556 659 Dublin, Ireland 350 541 572 596 593 Berlin, Germany 300 549 549 555 572 Brussels, Belgium 1,139 1,639 2,079 2,088 2,310 2,467 London, England 1,650 1,995 2,041 2,197 2,180 Copenhagen, Denmark 598
2017-18 was the first year in which the Brussels Office had a separate budget line, it was previously funded from within a larger budget and was not accounted for separately. Prior to 2018-19 the budgets for London, Dublin and Berlin (while these offices were being established) were not identified separately. They were funded from within a larger budget line and were not accounted for separately.
In 2022-23 our network of international offices will account for around 0.02% of the Scottish Government’s overall spending plans. About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Enquiry Unit Email: ceu@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrews House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
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