Scottish Government FOI Index

8,100releases indexed

12,778attachments found

26.3avg calendar days

3,233partially withheld

2024-04-15oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 3,233 unclear 2,138 not held 1,271 released 577 already published 335 cost limit 300 clarification 127 withheld 93 transferred 26

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 2197 s.20 1678 s.34(1) 1655 s.39(2) 1422 s.30 1343 s.17(1) 1138 s.25(1) 1033 s.10(4) 875 s.11(2) 707 s.29(1) 577 s.2 501 s.3 379

Timeline

2026-05 339 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263 2025-10 217

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 535 releases · 27.5 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 486 releases · 27.5 avg days Population Health Directorate 333 releases · 25.2 avg days Marine Directorate 321 releases · 26.4 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 311 releases · 25.6 avg days People Directorate 268 releases · 24.4 avg days Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate 247 releases · 31.4 avg days Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate 221 releases · 24.0 avg days

Clear

589 matching releases

Details of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs trip to Brussels: FOI release

1. The full ministerial diary entry / itinerary for Angela Constance MSP (Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs) for 19–21 November 2025 inclusive 2. All briefing packs, background notes, speaking notes, lines-to-take, or any other preparatory material provided to the Cabinet Secretary or her private office i...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.6 s.17(1) s.27(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495024
Directorate: EU Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Transport Scotland - Scrapping of peak rail fares information: FOI release

1. Confirmation of whether or not the amount of money that was required to deliver the permanent scrapping of peak rail fares came from an existing pot of money that was already in Transport Scotland’s budget. If it was, please reveal (i) which pot of money (name of fund and for which policy) (ii) how much was taken ...

FOI not held 45 score 13 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496724
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Scottish Forestry - East Netershield Woodland Creation Scheme correspondence: EIR relaese

We acknowledge receipt of your email and attached letter issued earlier today. We find ourselves yet again having to issuing further correspondence correcting serious misrepresentation of the facts from our Government representative. This time recording that our correspondence can in no way we referred to as "general"...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.11 s.11(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: EIR/202500495143
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Correspondence sent to former First Minister regarding child sexual exploitation and abuse: FOI release

You asked for any emails, letters, or other written correspondence sent by members of the public (constituents or non-constituents) to the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, or to her private office (nicolasturgeon.msp@parliament.scot or firstminister@gov.scot) between 1 January 2018 and 20th December 25th 2025 th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FO/202600499932
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

NHS Highland neurodevelopmental and mental health information: FOI release

Please provide the following recorded information for the period 01 January 2024 – present: 1. All Ministerial briefings, submissions, updates, or reports provided to: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health The Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.3 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495098
Directorate: Mental Health Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Health and social care, Public sector

Minutes from Serious Organised Crime Taskforce meetings: FOI release

You asked for copies of all minutes of meetings of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, excluding the minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2025.

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.35(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202600501737
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

2026 FIFA World Cup bank holiday proposal briefing documents: FOI release

All briefing documents prepared by officials and/or sent to Ministers regarding proposals to designate an additional bank holiday to celebrate Scotland's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Please include information such as: - the possible cost of creating an additional bank holiday, to the private and public s...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202600500185
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Football World Cup bank holiday proposal information: FOI release

The content of all emails, briefings and reports regarding the First Minister's proposal for a new bank holiday to commemorate Scotland's opening match in this year's football World Cup. Please provide any assessment of the economic impact of having another bank holiday and how many employers would give their staff th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202600500265
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Community Payback Orders (CPO) – Unpaid work statistics: FOI release

You asked if there are more up to date figures than those published in the report Community Payback Orders – Unpaid Work or Other Activity Requirements – February 2025 - gov.scot.

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496757
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Law and order, Public sector

Community Wind Power correspondence: FOI release

Could I please have sight of all correspondence between Kate Forbes/the office of Kate Forbes, as Cabinet Secretary and DFM, and the organisation Community Wind Power? Could I further have any correspondence from or to Ms Forbes that relates to Prestwick Airport? Finally, could I have sight of any correspondence betw...

FOI already published 80 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.12 8 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500494292
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Reduction of public sector workforce risks registers and progress: FOI release

“All risk registers and progress updates held by the Scottish Government, in relation to Shona Robison’s promise to reduce the public sector workforce by an average of 0.5% every year, from the last month.”

FOI already published 80 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496119
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Non- Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020: FOI release

You asked for copies of all recorded communications between Scottish Government Ministers and officials during August 2025 that relate to concerns about the legislative competence of the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020. This includes emails, submissions, briefings, notes of meetings, and any other recorded corre...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496157
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Plans for proactive publication of relevant data and ongoing communications plans information: FOI release

“Under The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, I request sight of;" 1. "All information held about 'plans for proactive publication of relevant data" 2. "All information held about 'ongoing comms plans"

FOI already published 80 score 17 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496088
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Non-Domestic Rates (Liability for Unoccupied Properties) (Scotland) Bill correspondence: FOI release

1. The correspondence that first informed the Scottish Government about the drafting error with the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020 which pointed out that the amendments made by the 2020 Act to devolve Empty Property Relief had not had the intended legal effect. 2. All correspondence between relevant Scottish G...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.33(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495336
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Agricultural payments computerised system information: FOI release

1. Could you outline what action has been taken in the last three months in relation to updating the computerised system which deals with agricultural payments? 2. Please can you share any correspondence sent to Jim Fairlie, in the last three months, relating to the computerised programme dealing with agricultural pay...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence briefings spending s.38(1) s.3 s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495822
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Recorded communications containing certain phrases: FOI release

Any recorded communications from 13 November 2025 to the present that contain any of the following phrases ‘performance gap’, ‘reconciliation’, or ‘lower growth’. This includes emails, briefings, letters, and any other recorded correspondence held on Scottish Government systems.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.33(2) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496330
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence from Oil and Gas organisations regarding engagement with Scottish Government: EIR release

“All correspondence received by the Scottish Government from oil and gas organisations, trade bodies, or companies since 1 January 2022 referencing: lack of Scottish Government engagement, cancelled or rearranged meetings, or unanswered correspondence. Please include emails, letters, meeting requests, and briefing note...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496792
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Deputy Director of Justice emails regarding Emergency Early Release (EER) scheme: FOI release

You initially requested: “Please provide copies of all emails sent by the Deputy Director responsible for the Emergency Early Release scheme during the week of Sept 1 -7 where the subject line or body contains any of the following terms: “early release” “EER” “release scheme””

FOI clarification 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495089
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Student Awards Agency Scotland policies, guidance and statistics: FOI release

SECTION A — POLICIES, PROCEDURES & GUIDANCE 1. Policies for DSA Travel Claims All internal policies and guidance relating to: verification of taxi journeys acceptable evidence for cash taxi payments use of private hire or independent taxi providers evidence assessment criteria contacting external parties during veri...

FOI not held 70 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.29 s.35(1) s.17(1) s.10 s.11 s.12 s.16 s.18 s.19 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500493969
Directorate
Topic: Education, Money and tax, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care meeting with Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited: FOI release

You asked for all information held relating to Neil Gray MSP's meeting with Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited on 30 January 2025 (Scottish lobbying register). This should include: Meeting agenda, attendee list, briefing materials, minutes/notes (including handwritten notes) All correspondence (emails, instant messages incl...

FOI already published 80 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.33 s.28 s.30 s.38 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495085
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Transport Scotland - Swallow Roundabout in Dundee correspondence: EIR release

“Can you please provide all correspondence between your organisation and any other stakeholders concerning the Swallow Roundabout in Dundee? This should include correspondence with, but not limited to: Transport Scotland Dundee City Council Perth and Kinross Council Springfield Properties Amey Northeast Scotland Any o...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495959
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fiscal Commission regarding the distribution of Scottish taxpayers by income bands: FOI release

The period 22nd October 2025 – 1st December 2025, all correspondence and notes of phone calls or meetings between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fiscal Commission which discussed the distribution of Scottish taxpayers by income bands in the financial years 2023-24, 2024-25, or 2025-26.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496238
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Policy on Deletion of Messages on Apps during Covid-19: FOI release

1. Provide full and transparent details on 'the government policy used to permit the deliberate deletion of public data, and evidence, from Whatsapp during COVID" expressed by Anas Sarwar during First Ministers Questions - 20th November 2025 in Hollyrood. First Minister John Swinney's response was, and I quote: "...To...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts whatsapp s.2 s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495382
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Meetings held with Dundee University in 2025: FOI release

How many meetings has a Scottish Government Minister held with Dundee University in 2025, and could you supply all minutes/notes from these meetings? Could you supply all meeting requests made by Dundee Uni as well in 2025, and whether these were accepted or rejected? Your request refers to meetings with ‘Dundee Unive...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.33(1) s.33 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495821
Directorate: Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

List of late Freedom of Information response cases: FOI release

From FOI 202500490388: For release PDF - List of late cases - August 2025 - Redacted.pdf For release PDF - List of late cases - August 21.08 - Redacted.pdf Under The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, I request sight of: 1. The LIST OF LATE CASES - September 2025

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496639
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector