Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
FOI reference: FOI/202300384044
Date received: 7 November 2023
Date responded: 30 November 2023
Information requested
Request for information 1:
The number of complaints received by Social Security Scotland regarding Authorised Officers visiting premises to “make inquiries, question people or collect evidence”.
Request for information 2:
The total number of visits to premises by Authorised Officers since 2019. If possible, please provide that figure broken down by calendar year (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 so far).
Request for information 3:
The number of instances in which a visit to premises was made by an authorised officer without giving prior notice.
Request for information 4:
The total number of times that Counter Fraud Officers have sought authorisation by the Chief Executive of Social Security Scotland to carry out directed surveillance since 2019. If possible, please also provide that figure broken down by calendar year (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023).
Response
Request for information 1:
Zero complaints have been received by Social Security Scotland regarding Authorised Officers visiting premises to “make inquiries, question people or collect evidence.”
Request for information 2, 3 and 4:
An exemption under section 35(1)(a) of FOISA applies to the information you have requested. This exemption applies where disclosure of information under the Act would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the prevention or detection of crime. To disclose the information requested would risk compromising counter fraud activities.
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 open, transparent and accountable government, and to inform public debate. However, there is a greater public interest in in maintaining the Agency’s ability to prevent and detect instances of fraud.
About FOI
Social Security Scotland is committed to publishing responses to requests. The Scottish Government also publishes responses to requests. You can view the responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.