FOI/19/00060 · FOI · partially withheld
Job descriptions of Social Security Reserved Benefits Policy team: FOI release
Information requested
You asked for job descriptions of the staff employed in the Reserved Benefits Policy team within the Social Security Reserved Benefits and Strategic Engagement Division.
Response
I enclose a copy of most 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 an exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of government policy) applies to some of the information requested. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained in the Annex to this letter.
ANNEX REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION
An exemption applies.
An exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of government policy) applies to some of the information requested because it relates to the development of the Scottish Government’s policy on social security. This exemption is 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 a public interest in disclosing information as part of open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in high quality policy and decision-making, and in the properly considered implementation and development of policies and decisions. This means that Ministers and officials need to be able to consider all available options and to debate those rigorously, to fully understand their possible implications. Their candour in doing so will be affected by their assessment of whether the discussions on social security will be disclosed in the near future, when it may undermine or constrain the Government’s view on that policy while it is still under discussion and development.
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.
Detected exemption language
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 an exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of government policy) applies to some of the information requested. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained in the Annex to this letter. ANNEX REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION An exemption applies. An exemption under section 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of government policy) applies to some of the information requested because it relates to the development of the Scottish Government’s policy on social security. This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’.