FOI/202600521203 · FOI · partially withheld
Correspondence regarding the UK Government's local growth fund: FOI release
Information requested
You asked for all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefing and analysis, about the UK Government's local growth fund, from the last month.
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 exemptions under sections s.38(1)(b) (personal information), s.33(1)(b) (commercial interests), s.30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views) and s.27(1) (information intended for future publication) of FOISA apply to that information. The reasons why those exemptions apply are explained below.
Exemption under section s.38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Names, email addresses and phone numbers have been redacted where appropriate. 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.
Exemption under sections s.30(b)(i) and s.30(b)(ii) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. This exemption recognises the need for officials to have a private space within which to exchange views and to provide advice to Ministers before the Scottish Government reaches a settled public view.
Disclosing the content of free and frank exchanges on the Local Growth Fund will substantially inhibit such exchanges in the future. 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 as part of open, transparent and accountable government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in allowing a private space within which officials can provide open views as part of the process of exploring and refining the Government’s policy position.
The emails which are labelled as documents 12 and 39 had 12 attachments in total. These attachments were draft investment plans for the Local Growth Fund written by the Regional Economic Partnerships receiving the fund. They were shared with the UK Government's Scotland Office, who in turn shared them with Scottish Government officials. They have been withheld as they are exempt from release under FOISA legislation.
Exemption under section s.27(1) applies to five of these documents. The Local Growth Fund investment plans will be published around the end of September 2026 and will be publicly accessible through the UK Government's Scotland Office at that point. 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 knowing what the Local Growth Fund could be used for, however as the investment plans are still in draft form disclosing them at this stage could present an inaccurate picture. Furthermore the information will become publicly available within a reasonable time frame.
Exemption under section s.33(1)(b) of FOISA applies to the remainder of the attached documents. It also applies to sections within other documents. This is where disclosure would be likely to prejudice substantially the commercial interests of the organisation(s) involved. 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. Again we recognise that there is some public interest in knowing what the Local Growth Fund could be used for. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in protecting the commercial interests of the local authorities involved and preventing harm to their ability to maintain value for public money.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://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 exemptions under sections s.38(1)(b) (personal information), s.33(1)(b) (commercial interests), s.30(b)(ii) (free and frank exchange of views) and s.27(1) (information intended for future publication) of FOISA apply to that information. The reasons why those exemptions apply are explained below. Exemption 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. Exemption under sections s.30(b)(i) and s.30(b)(ii) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested.