Scottish Government FOI Index

5,100releases indexed

7,880attachments found

25.5avg calendar days

2,063partially withheld

2025-01-20oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 2,063 unclear 1,290 not held 828 released 339 already published 242 cost limit 170 clarification 87 withheld 62 transferred 19

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 1471 s.34(1) 1108 s.20 1050 s.30 886 s.39(2) 882 s.17(1) 766 s.25(1) 651 s.10(4) 547 s.11(2) 450 s.29(1) 364 s.2 349 s.3 262

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 365 releases · 25.8 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 308 releases · 28.3 avg days Marine Directorate 194 releases · 26.7 avg days People Directorate 192 releases · 23.4 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 176 releases · 26.8 avg days Culture and External Affairs Directorate 173 releases · 27.7 avg days Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate 171 releases · 31.7 avg days Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate 157 releases · 23.9 avg days

Clear

77 matching releases

Advertising costs from the last 5 years on STV North: FOI release

How much a) the Scottish Government, and b) Scottish Government Executive Agencies, have spent in each of the last five financial years - a) 2024-2025, b) 2023-2024, c) 2022-2023, d) 2021-2022, and e) 2020-2021 - on advertising with STV North [described by STV Commercial as North (Aberdeen and Dundee)].

FOI withheld 55 score 6 working days correspondence contracts spending s.33 s.33(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2026-01-08
Reference: FOI/202500487213
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Information related to Scottish Information Commissioner decision notice: FOI release

1. What is the name of the individual whose role in the redaction process of the Hamilton Report was under investigation by the Scottish Information Commissioner and who wrote a signed statement to the Commissioner's office, as noted in Decision Notice 144/2025 and pages 15-18 of the below FOI release? 2. Why has this...

FOI transferred 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.6 4 attachments

Published: 2026-01-06
Reference: FOI/202500480860
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Former First Minister’s engagements and financial transactions with NEON (New Economy Organisers Network): FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I am requesting the following information regarding Nicola Sturgeon’s engagements and any financial transactions with NEON (New Economy Organisers Network) during her tenure as First Minister of Scotland (from November 20, 2014, to March 28, 2023) or in any official...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2026-01-06
Reference: FOI/202500482305
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Consultation queries: FOI release

Information relating to consultations over the last 5 years. In particular, information relating to: The average time taken over the last 5 years between closing a consultation and publishing an analysis of responses, as well as publishing the responses themselves The longest time taken, over the last 5 years, between...

FOI not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.12(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-24
Reference: FOI/202500483584
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence and meeting notes in relation to the handling of request 202500472911: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence and meeting notes etc. in relation to the preparation, handling and clearance of the response to FOI 202500472911. Notably, this should include FOI response clearance comments from the Scottish Government Executive Team, SG Communications, SpAds and Ministers.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.25(1) s.15 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-02
Reference: FOI/202500481037
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial media activity information: FOI release

For the six-month period in 2025 from January 1 to June 30, please disclose the following: The number of press conferences held. For each, please give its date; location; subject; and the minister(s) taking questions. The number of pressers held. For each, please give its date; location; and the minister(s) taking que...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.27(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-06
Reference: FOI/202500477986
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Use of third party file portals and future accessibility of Freedom of Information rights queries: FOI release

1. Has the Scottish Government issued any guidance on the use of third-party portals to issue FOI responses? 2. Is there any national policy position on whether public bodies should continue to accept FOI requests by email? 3. Has any cross-government coordination taken place on consolidating or standardising FOI res...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence s.60 s.61 s.9 s.17(1) s.4

Published: 2025-11-04
Reference: FOI/202500477785
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Costs incurred for visit to Trump International Scotland in Aberdeenshire: FOI release

“I am writing to request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 that the Scottish Government Disclose all information it holds detailing costs incurred by the council, or estimated costs incurred by the council, as a result of the visit to Scotland by the US president Donald Trump between July 25 2025 an...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-28
Reference: FOI/202500478121
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Costs of creating the new position of Cabinet Secretary for Housing: FOI release

The cost of creating the new position of Cabinet Secretary for Housing. Please break down all costs involved, including, for example, creating new office space, buying new stationery, hiring new staff or special advisers, purchasing new signage or business cards, etc.

FOI unclear 55 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-22
Reference: FOI/202500476510
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government hospitality spend: FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I would like to request the following information: The total amount spent by Scottish Government Cabinet Secretaries on coffee and other refreshments between 1 January 2023 and the present date of 18 July 2025. If available, please provide a breakdown by Cabinet Se...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-22
Reference: FOI/202500476453
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

New ministerial offices within Scottish Government estate: FOI release

Since 1 May 2021, the cost of creating new Ministerial offices within the Scottish Government. Note that I am referring to the physical space of an office that is used by a Minister. Costs could include but not be limited to purchasing new furniture, purchasing signage, taking out walls, relocating previous users of th...

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-14
Reference: FOI/202500473946
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information pertaining to catering, staffing and menus for official events: FOI Review

Original Request - 202500462429 1. How many official events (state dinners, lunches, cocktail receptions) have been held at Bute House since the 1st of April 2024? Please provide a brief description of each event as well as notable guests. 2. How much money has been spent on catering, staffing, and organising these ...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.21(4) s.25(1) s.27(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-13
Reference: FOI/202500471460 - Review of 202500462429
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government Ministers interactions with Large Language Models (LLM): FOI release

Can I request the following information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002: Any recorded transcripts, logs, outputs, or other documentation of interactions between Scottish Government Ministers and ChatGPT or any other large language model (LLM) from January 1, 2025, to June 18, 2025. This includes ...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500471617
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Costs of Scottish Government's media room: FOI release

Full breakdown of costs for the Scottish Government's media room from the last five years, broken down per year.

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

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500471222
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government exercising Section 50 (5) of the FOISA act: FOI release

1) Since January 1st 2002, how many times has the Scottish Government not handed over information to the Scottish Information Commissioner for investigations due to exercising section 50(5) of the FOISA act? 2) Can you please cite the SIC decision number and FOI reference number concerning these?

FOI already published 55 score 16 working days correspondence briefings s.50(5) s.14(2) s.14 s.17(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2025-09-23
Reference: FOI/202500468778
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Diary engagements: FOI release

Can you provide a copy of the ministerial diary for Jenny Gilruth on April 24, 2025? Can you provide a copy of any amendments made in regards to this document? Can you provide a list of ministerial engagements scheduled for Ms Gilruth on that date? Can you also provide any emails related to Ms Gilruth's diary schedulin...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-17
Reference: FOI/202500463953
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Ministerial engagements: FOI release

Could you provide Jenny Gilruth's ministerial diary for Thursday April 24, including any drafts of it from the last three months?

FOI released 100 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-17
Reference: FOI/202500464265
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Communication costs for Constitution, Culture and External Affairs: FOI release

You asked for how much money has been spent on press and communication support for the Constitution, external affairs and culture portfolio in each of the last five years, with a breakdown per year and what the staff were assigned to, i.e. culture or independence. You also asked us to supply the number of press officer...

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

Published: 2025-09-17
Reference: FOI/202500466051
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial code investigation into former First Minister: FOI release

All 14 pieces of correspondence" involved in the "ministerial code investigation into former FM Salmond that was conducted by Sir David Bell and published in 2013". You requested this correspondence because the links to the documents on the Scottish Government/NRS website archive are not working.

FOI not held 70 score 1 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-09
Reference: FOI/202500461414
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

FOI qualified exemption responses where public interest favours publication: FOI release

1) In March 2025, how many qualified exemption responses have the Scottish Government decided that the public interest lies in favour of publication compared to the public interest upholding the exemption to not release?

FOI partially withheld 65 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings s.17(1)

Published: 2025-09-04
Reference: FOI/202500459419
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Permission for the Health Secretary to take a guest to an event: FOI release

In line with the ministerial code, please provide me with the written permission obtained by Neil Gray and/or staff asking the First Minister for written permission to take his child to the football with him.

FOI unclear 80 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-04
Reference: FOI/202500475371
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Details of Deputy First Minister's visit to City Holdings Ltd Housing Development: FOI release

A previous FOI response (202500472116) showed that Kate Forbes attended a ministerial visit to City Holdings Ltd Housing Development on 29 January 2025 with a friend. Please provide more details about the name of this friend, what role they played in the visit, and what sector they work in.

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-09-04
Reference: FOI/202500475609
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government hybrid working policy: FOI release

1. The number of civil servants who have refused requests from line managers to return to the office after previously agreeing a hybrid or work-from-home contract. 2. The number of official complaints to HR made by staff about the proposed two-days-a-week in-office mandate.

FOI not held 45 score 11 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-09-03
Reference: FOI/202500474782
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Special Advisers and ChatGPT documentation: FOI release

Any recorded transcripts, logs, outputs, or other documentation of interactions between Scottish Government Special Advisers and ChatGPT or any other large language model (LLM) from January 1, 2025, to June 18, 2025. This includes any saved chats, screenshots, exported files, or other relevant records held by the Scot...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-06
Reference: FOI/202500471620
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government building renovations: FOI release

Please provide the total amount that the Scottish Government has spent on renovations and interior decorations to the offices of Scottish Ministers in St Andrews House, Victoria Quay, and Atlantic Quay, broken down into a table to list the offices of each minister and to cover every financial year from 2021-22 to date.

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500461363
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector