FOI/202500449984 · FOI · partially withheld
Options appraisal for the mitigation of the two-child cap: FOI release
Information requested
A copy of an options appraisal that was referenced to by The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government at the Finance and Public Administration Committee relating to the Scottish Government’s announcement in the Draft Budget 2025-26 that it intended to mitigate the two-child cap.
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested. However, 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) Formulation of Scottish Government Policy of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) applies to that information.
An exemption under 29(1)(a) 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 this 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 discussions will be disclosed soon,. 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 https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Detected exemption language
However, 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) Formulation of Scottish Government Policy of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) applies to that information. An exemption under 29(1)(a) 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 this exemption.