Scottish Government FOI Index

22,874releases indexed

40,876attachments found

29.5avg calendar days

8,493partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-10-28newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,493 unclear 7,447 not held 3,283 released 1,596 already published 712 cost limit 634 clarification 376 withheld 250 transferred 83

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5215 s.20 4475 s.34(1) 3779 s.39(2) 3631 s.30 3032 s.17(1) 2975 s.25(1) 2550 s.10(4) 2085 s.11(2) 1634 s.29(1) 1244 s.2 1242 s.3 977

Timeline

2026-10 227 2026-09 8 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,334 releases · 27.8 avg days Marine Directorate 990 releases · 29.7 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 969 releases · 30.8 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 741 releases · 39.6 avg days Constitution Directorate 710 releases · 35.8 avg days Population Health Directorate 676 releases · 28.6 avg days People Directorate 663 releases · 25.5 avg days

Clear

240 matching releases

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

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