· FOI · partially withheld
Student Loans Company: changes to student support: FOI release
Information requested
All correspondence between the Scottish Government(including officials) with the Student Loans Company regarding changes to student support outlined in the ministerial statement on 12/6/18.
Response
I enclose copies of most of the information you requested.
Reasons for not providing information
An exemption applies.
An exemption(s) under section(s) 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This relates to personal data of a third party.
This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.
An exemption applies, subject to the public interest test.
An exemption under section s.29(1)(a) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This relates to the formulation or development of Scottish Government policy.
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 some public interest in release because of the recent announcement made by the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science relating to student support changes. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in allowing continued discussions relating to an ongoing policy area.
Detected exemption language
Reasons for not providing information An exemption applies. An exemption(s) under section(s) 38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. An exemption applies, subject to the public interest test. An exemption under section s.29(1)(a) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.