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

103 matching releases

Ministerial employment date information: FOI release

Alasdair Allan MSP left his post as Minister for Energy on 15 June 2025 while Paul McLellan left his post as Minister for Housing on 11 June 2025 – what is the reason for the difference in end dates? Mr Allan’s resignation letter says “I was honoured to be asked to take this interim role, but that I only wanted it to b...

FOI not held 45 score 6 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-04
Reference: FOI/202500471446
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial salary increase timing and messaging records: FOI Review

Original request 202500462016 Access to records related to the timing and public messaging of the recent ministerial salary increase. Specifically: 1. **Internal Communications:** - Emails, meeting minutes, and memos between the Office of the First Minister and the Public Relations teams discussing how the timing of ...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.2 s.25 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-30
Reference: FOI/202500466490 Review of 202500462016
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Information Commissioner investigations information: FOI release

1) Since January 1st 2020, 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 19 working days correspondence s.50(5) s.25(1) s.17(1) s.15(1)

Published: 2025-07-23
Reference: FOI/202500464684
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial salary increase timing and messaging records: FOI release

Access to records related to the timing and public messaging of the recent ministerial salary increase. Specifically: 1. **Internal Communications:** - Emails, meeting minutes, and memos between the Office of the First Minister and the Public Relations teams discussing how the timing of the announcement was chosen. - ...

FOI not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-21
Reference: FOI/202500462016
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government request responses and use of free & frank advice exception: FOI release

In this request, when I refer to ‘free and frank advice exceptions’ I mean to refer to the application of a exemption from disclosure of requested information from a public body as an FOI or EIR request on the grounds that disclosure would inhibit the free and frank provision of advice, inhibit the free and frank excha...

FOI clarification 80 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2A s.25(1) s.6(1) s.12 s.29(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-17
Reference: FOI/202500461547
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government Media Monitoring Unit annual outturn: FOI release

Please provide, from 2016-17 to present, the Scottish Government’s annual outturn on its Media Monitoring Unit. For years where you do not have outturn figures, please indicate this, and provide estimates and/or budgeted spend. If this unit has a budget for 2025-26, please provide this. Please break down these outturn ...

FOI unclear 80 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-17
Reference: FOI/202500460129
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Minister for Public Health and Women's Health's diary engagements: FOI release

1. A copy of the diary for the Minister for Public Health and Women's Health, Jenni Minto MSP, for Monday 28th April 2025, including but not limited to all meetings, engagements and any other commitments. 2. How much time Ms Minto spent at 'Holyrood Dog of the Year 2025' on Monday 28th April 2025, including travel tim...

FOI unclear 55 score 6 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.2 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-07-17
Reference: FOI/202500463649
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Supplementary question information regarding Portfolio Question sessions: FOI Review

Original request 202500455929 Pertaining to work done, communications made, and documentation produced and sent between 1 March 2024 and present, for all Deputy First Minister Responsibilities, Economy and Gaelic and Finance and Local Government Portfolio Questions sessions between 1 January and present date, please p...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-16
Reference: FOI/202500460415 Review of 202500455929
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister's agenda and communications from Monday 3rd March 2025: FOI release

Please provide all information held by the Scottish Government relating to the activities and communications of the First Minister on Monday 3 March 2025 (0:00AM to 24:00PM). This should include but not necessarily be limited to: 1. Copies of all written materials provided to and/or by the First Minister (FM) 2. Copie...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.4 s.6 s.39(1) s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-15
Reference: FOI/202500459057
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Breakdown of Scottish Government advertising and public notice spend: FOI release

You asked, for each of the last five financial years (2024/25, 2023/24, 2022/23, 2021/22, 2020/21), to provide the following information: The total budget spent on marketing and advertising (including promotional, statutory, jobs and other). The names of the print, digital and broadcast and other media where this was ...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.27(1) s.33 s.17(1) s.17 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-15
Reference: FOI/202500460124
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Deputy First Minister’s diary for Monday 3rd March 2025: FOI release

Please provide all information held by the Scottish Government relating to the activities and communications of the Deputy First Minister on Monday 3 March 2025 (0:00AM to 24:00PM). This should include but not necessarily be limited to: 1. Copies of all written materials provided to and/or by the Deputy First Minister...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.4 s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-14
Reference: FOI/202500459051
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information on Freedom of Information requests submitted to the Scottish Government: FOI release

How many FOI requests were submitted to the Scottish Government in 2024? How many requests were submitted by the requestor who submitted the most requests? Information held on how much staff time and overall cost to the Scottish Government of handling a) all requests and b) the most prolific requestor.

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

Published: 2025-07-02
Reference: FOI/202500469631
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Total annual expenditure on hospitality by the Scottish Government: FOI release

I would like to request the following information regarding hospitality spending by the Scottish Government and its quangos over the last five financial years (2019-20 to 2023-24): 1. The total annual expenditure on hospitality, including but not limited to: Official receptions and networking events Catering for meet...

FOI unclear 55 score 46 working days over deadline correspondence meetings spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-06-26
Reference: FOI/202500451959
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Spend on photography for the First Minister: FOI release

How much money has been spent on a photographer/photography for the First Minister in each of the last three years, with a breakdown per year and per payments.

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: FOI/202500451640
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Queries regarding information provided to the Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

1) Has or did the Scottish Government order any kind of internal review and/or investigation as a result of the discovery that it had misled the SIC? 2) I request a copy of any report or communications surrounding such internal review and/or investigation. 3) Has anyone within the Scottish Government been dismissed o...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452202
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information pertaining to Scottish Information Commissioner decision 004/2023: FOI release

In relation to the legal advice released by the Scottish Government in October 2024 in relation SIC decision notice 004/2023 and the court case XA10/23. The following passages exist: "It shows that Ministers failed to convey accurately the true position when making submissions to the Commissioner" and "Scottish Minist...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.3 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452221
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Access to Information Rights in Scotland: FOI release

You set your request in context by referencing the Scottish Government’s response to the Access to Information Rights in Scotland consultation: Access to Information Rights in Scotland Response to analysis of consultation responses published in November 2023, noting the following commitments made by the Scottish Govern...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.4 s.6 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.36(1) s.29(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-18
Reference: FOI/202500450915
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Specific Scottish Government electronic purchasing cards (ePC) charges: FOI Review

Original request: 202400437794 1) All the purchases on the Scottish Government electronic purchasing cards from September 2023 onwards which relates to expenditure directly for Scottish Ministers. For example, expenditure related to their personal travel, accommodation, food, items for their ministerial office etc. Pl...

FOI not held 70 score correspondence ministers spending s.3 s.4 s.5 s.6 s.21(4) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-12
Reference: FOI/202500450004 Review of 202400437795
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Parliamentary question costs: FOI release

How much does it cost in 2024-25 for Scottish Government officials to respond to one parliamentary question? How much did it cost in 2023-24 for Scottish Government officials to respond to one parliamentary question?

FOI unclear 55 score 11 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-04
Reference: FOI/202500452185
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Ministerial salary information: FOI release

I am responding to the following three of the your 17 questions: 9. For year 2023 - provide the salary breakdown of each Scottish Ministers and any increases that were allocated and to whom and the amount 10. For year 2024 - provide the salary breakdown of Scottish Ministers and any increases that were allocated and ...

FOI unclear 55 score 7 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500451978
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Media requests from broadcasters to interview Scottish Government Ministers: FOI release

A list of how many media requests were made by broadcasters to speak to Scottish Government Ministers between December 1 2024 and the date of this FOI, and whether they were rejected and accepted, the Minister wanted and the reasons for acceptance and rejection.

FOI released 100 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-21
Reference: FOI/202500449172
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Requests for First Minister to appear on podcasts: FOI release

A full list of requests for First Ministers to appear on podcasts in 2022, 2023, 2024, along with the name of the podcast and whether it was accepted or not, and reason why it was rejected.

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

Published: 2025-02-14
Reference: FOI/202500446688
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Legal costs incurred to challenge the release of information: FOI release

Any legal costs incurred over the last five years by the Scottish Government or other agencies to challenge the release of information requested via freedom of information requests. Costs may include those paid to lawyers and external barristers. Please provide details of every legal case.

FOI unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-01-31
Reference: FOI/202500446774
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Appointment of Independent Advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code: FOI release

1. Following the appointment of new independent ministerial code advisers, whether the Scottish Government opened up applications to the public for the position of independent adviser on the ministerial code. If so, how many applicants were there for the position? 2. If not, how many people were interviewed for the po...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-28
Reference: FOI/202400445249
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Engagements attended by Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity: FOI release

A list of Jim Fairlie’s engagements as Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity from 1 November 2024 and the minutes of those engagements.

FOI not held 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1) s.38(1) s.28 4 attachments

Published: 2025-01-27
Reference: FOI/202400444866
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills