FOI/202600509753 · FOI · partially withheld
Permanent Secretary correspondence: FOI release
Information requested
Under FOI I would like to request all correspondence and notes of meetings between Joe Griffin and ministers in January 2026 to date.
Response
Please find attached requested documents. Annex B is an overview of the documents.
Some exemptions have been applied of which are outlined in Annex A.
Some documents which have been withheld in their entirety due to - Section 30(b)(i) – free and frank provision of advice (Annex A). These documents include policy advice from the Permanent Secretary to First Minister.
Annex A
The exemptions that apply in this instance are:
Section 30(b)(i) – free and frank provision of advice
Some information has been withheld as an exemption under section 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice) of FOISA applies to that information.
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 an open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing a private space for officials to provide free and frank advice to Ministers and officials in advance of internal government discussions on current issues and government priorities prior to any information being presented in the public domain.
Section 30(b)(ii) – free and frank exchange of views for the purpose of deliberation
Some information has been withheld under Section 30(b)(ii) of FOISA (free and frank exchange of views for the purpose of deliberation) because disclosure would, or would likely to, inhibit substantially the free and frank provision of advice for the purposes of deliberation.
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 disclosing the information as part of an open, transparent, and accountable government. However, there is a greater public interest in allowing a private space for officials to share their views for the purpose of deliberation.
Annex B
Correspondence 1 1. 24.02.26 - Meeting Agenda - Minister for Public Finance 2 2. 07.01. 26 - Meeting Agenda - Minister for Public Finance 3 3. 02.03.26 - CalMac settlement payment - review and learning - Cabinet Secretary for Transport 4 4. 27.02.26 - Cessation of Ministerial Appointment - Cabinet Secretary Finance & Local Government 5 5. 19.02.26 - Cessation of Ministerial Appointment - Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise 6 6. 05.03.26 - Cessation of Ministerial Appointment - Minister for Business and Employment 7 7. 23.02.26 - Cessation of Ministerial Appointment - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform & Islands 8 8. 09.02.26 - Meeting Request - Cabinet Secretary for Housing 9 9. 19.02.26 - Meeting Request - Minister for Public Finance 10 10. 23.02.26 - Meeting Request - Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills 11 11. 21.01.26 - Meeting with Perm Sec and Mr McKee on Culture in the PSR - Minister for Public Finance 12 12. 06.03.26 - Meeting Request - Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Care 13 13. 06.03.26 - Meeting with the Permanent Secretary early 2026 - Minister for Public Finance 14 14. 26.01.26 - Note of Meeting - Culture and PSR - Minister for Public Finance 15 15. 13.02.26 - Potential Exit Interview - Ms Hyslop - Cabinet Secretary for Transport 16 16. 15.01.26 - Process - Privy Council - security briefing requests - First Minister 17 17. 17.02.26 - Cessation of Ministerial Appointment - Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans 18 18. 05.03.26 - routine submission on class contact time reduction analysis - Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills 19 19. 02.03.26 - Assurance Note Mandelson - First Minister
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Detected exemption language
Some exemptions have been applied of which are outlined in Annex A. Some documents which have been withheld in their entirety due to - Section 30(b)(i) – free and frank provision of advice (Annex A). Annex A The exemptions that apply in this instance are: Section 30(b)(i) – free and frank provision of advice Some information has been withheld as an exemption under section 30(b)(i) (free and frank provision of advice) of FOISA applies to that information. 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.