FOI/202500476280 · FOI · unclear
Capital expenditure debt limit materials: FOI release
Information requested
1. Any internal reports, briefings, memos, emails, or other correspondence sent or received by Kate Forbes from 1 January 2024 to the present that relate to financial planning, forecasting, or contingency measures in the event that the Scottish Government reaches or approaches its legally defined capital expenditure debt limit.
2. Any correspondence between Kate Forbes and HM Treasury concerning debt limits, borrowing powers, or related fiscal constraints during the same time period.
3. Any risk assessments or scenario planning documents that examine the financial, economic, or policy implications of the Scottish Government reaching its legally defined capital expenditure debt limit.
Response
Regarding point 1 and 2: While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of the FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.
In answer to point 3: Total Scottish Government Capital debt limits are set out in the Scotland Act (2016). The Act also explains that any Scottish Government borrowing drawdown is subject to the consent of HM Treasury. Scottish Government analysis, risk assessments and policies are therefore built around ensuring debt is appropriately managed within the legal capital debt limits. For the latest Scottish Government policy position regarding capital borrowing, please find the Scottish Budget 2025 to 2026: Scottish Government borrowing, published 4 December 2024, which details this approach.- Link . Subsequent publications following the budget provide further detail, such as the Ninth Annual Report on the Implementation of the Scotland Act 2016 laid before the Scottish Parliament, chapter 6. Borrowing and Scotland Reserve - Link , and Scotland’s Fiscal Outlook: The Scottish Government’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy, published 25 June 2025, chapter 2.2.7 Capital borrowing, provides an update to Scottish Government borrowing policy and latest borrowing forecast- Link .
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.
Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Correspondence Unit Email: contactus@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Detected exemption language
This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of the FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.
Attachments
No attachments found.