FOI requests rejected due to exceeding the cost limit and Section 29(1)(a) exemption: FOI release

Information requested

1) the number of FOI requests made to the Scottish Government and its agencies which have been rejected due to exceeding the cost limit of £600
2) the number of FOI requests made to the Scottish Government and its agencies which have been rejected under the guise of the application of the Section 29(1)(a) exemption.

Response

1.  The number of requests that were refused under S12 (1) of FOISA ( the cost limit) between 1 April 2023 and 1 April 2024 is 162. You may wish to note that when we apply S12(1) to refuse a request for information, we first conduct searches and based on the volume of information identified, we conduct a cost calculation based on the time taken to search, sift and redact.

2.  The number of requests where all of the information requested was withheld solely under 29(1)(a) of FOISA (formulation or development of policy) between 1 April 2023 and 1 April 2024 is 3. It may be helpful if I explain that when we receive a request we conduct searches to identify in scope information, we review information on a line by line basis and apply exemptions to sensitive information within the in scope information identified not to requests themselves. So, if the all the information requested is withheld, that means that all of the information identified in scope is sensitive and 29(1)(a) is the only exemption applicable. This number is low because it is not routine that all of the information requested would be withheld entirely under 29(1)(a). If it interests you the number of requests where 29(1)(a) is applied to at least some information requested but have either one or more other exemptions applied to some information and/or information is partially released is 112.

These figures are based on data inputted by individual case handlers in our casehandling service that we use to draft and issues responses and as such may not be the exact figure of requests refused as there may be human error and some requests for various reasons need to be issued via email.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.