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

Censorship of consultation responses: FOI release

Responses to the following Government consultation have blocks of text replaced with "Redacted text": https://consult.gov.scot/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/scottish-climate- adaptationplan/consultation/published_select_respondentshow_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=redacted 1) Policie...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence s.4 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-09
Reference: FOI/202400430514
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Gifts that Scottish Ministers received as part of international visits: FOI release

A breakdown of the gifts, and the cost of these gifts, that Scottish Ministers presented as part of international visits during the financial years: 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24.

FOI already published 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-04
Reference: FOI/202400426838
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Gifts given by Scottish Government Ministers: FOI release

1. A list of gifts given by Scottish Government Ministers during external meetings and overseas travel to, for example, other Ministers etc over the last five years. 2. Please include (i) the Scottish Government Minister who gave the gift, (ii) the individual who received the gift, and (iii) the price of this gift.

FOI already published 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-04
Reference: FOI/202400426991
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Angus Robertson's working days: FOI release

2. Could you provide all correspondence/minutes and notes from meetings, between Alex Salmond and Humza Yousaf and Alex Salmond and John Swinney, from the last six months? 4. How many working days has Angus Robertson spent in Scotland and how many working days has he spent abroad so far in 2024, with a list of where h...

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

Published: 2024-10-03
Reference: FOI/202400425415
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Emails sent and received by the Former First Minister: FOI Review

Original request - 202400411476 1. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf sent as First Minister from his First Minister email account. 2. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf received as First Minister from his First Minister email account. 3. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf sent as First Minister to em...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 283 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-18
Reference: FOI/202400416176 Review of 202400411476
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Former First Minister's tweet on the 35th anniversary of the Lockerbie air disaster: FOI release

1. Could you provide all receipts and expenses claims from Humza Yousaf's trip to New York for Climate Week from September 17 to 21. 2. Could you provide all drafts of Humza Yousaf's official FM account's tweet on the 35th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing, plus any notes held about why the wording changed etc: htt...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-17
Reference: FOI/202400393771
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Former First Minister’s engagements in London in March 2023: FOI Review

Original request 202400412363 Information relating to the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon’s engagements in London in March 2023.

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

Published: 2024-09-12
Reference: FOI/202400417846 Review of 202400412363
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Spring Budget communications campaign: FOI Review

Original request (202400403341) You recently engaged in a communications campaign, e.g. https://x.com/scotgov/status/1766116922909692407 The text reads: “The UK Spring Budget has failed to deliver the funding Scotland needs for public services. National Insurance cuts in the Spring Budget and Autumn Statement have ...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38 s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-11
Reference: FOI/202400413228 Review of 202400403341
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Scottish Budget

Scottish Government’s travel and subsistence policy information: FOI release

At last week's First Minister's Questions, The First Minister repeatedly said that Mr Matheson had paid back every penny of the expenses claimed (for roaming charges), so there was no cost to the taxpayer. Given this statement I wish to understand the total cost incurred for all investigations, parliamentary time, res...

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400415817
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Parliamentary Portfolio Questions session of 20th March 2024 on Constitution, External Affairs and Culture: FOI release

1. The date on which the Parliamentary Portfolio Questions session of 20th March 2024 on Constitution, External Affairs and Culture was entered into the Ministerial Diary of the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture 2. Any other engagements in the Cabinet Secretary's diary on 20th March 2024...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.27(1)

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400412097
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Freedom of Information guidance, monitoring the social media profiles of journalists and sex offender name changing: FOI release

1. Could you supply the full internal guidance/guidebook for dealing with FOIs which the Scottish Government abide by, including whether Special Advisers are given first look at them, and what details they are provided with? 2. Could you supply details about whether the Scottish Government monitor the social media pro...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-02
Reference: FOI/202400408156
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Law and order, Public sector

Freedom of Information (FoI) requests for consideration by Special Advisers: FOI release

1) Since the start of 2024, please provide a list of the FOI's which have been subject to consideration by the FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot email address and/or Special Adviser emails. 2) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot and the FOI Unit since January 1, 2024. 3) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400406282
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Holocaust Memorial Day Saltire article: FOI release

I understand that the article on the Scottish Government's intranet, Saltire, to make Holocaust Memorial Day was this year published without the ability for Scottish Government civil servants to comment on it. Under FOI legislation, I request: (1) all communications, in whatever form (email, Teams, WhatsApp, etc) abou...

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

Published: 2024-08-29
Reference: FOI/202400396399
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care's trip to UAE: FOI release

1. All briefings, notes prepared for ministers, and correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internally, about the UK Government proposing a ban on smoking for those who are 14 and younger, between October 1 and the date of this FOI. 2. Full cost of Neil Gray's trip to UAE between October...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.12 s.27(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300385956
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Freedom of Information Unit resourcing and staffing numbers: FOI release

(1) The staffing of the central FOI team; (2) The number of civil servants across the Scottish Government responsible for dealing with FOIs? specialist teams or staff devoted to this work? Central records of specialists kept? How many civil servants in Scottish Government have 'FOI' or 'Freedom of Information' or 'EIR...

FOI not held 70 score 10 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.14(1) s.12(1) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300388436
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information policy proposals and reform: FOI release

1. How much money has been spent on the Scottish Government looking into FOI reform over the last five years, with a breakdown of each year and what the money has been spent on? 2. How many consultations has the government published about this topic and similar FOI reform over the last ten years, with a list of these?...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.17(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300386939
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

UK Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee: FOI release

All correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) relating to the Minister for Transport’s invitation to give evidence to the UK Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee on Monday 11 Septem...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 59 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.17(1) s.1 s.38 s.29(1) s.27(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2024-08-14
Reference: FOI/202300377285
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Freedom of Information (FOI) training materials: FOI release

Documentation provided to Government employees for the purpose of training to deal with FOI requests.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-12
Reference: FOI/202300374455
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Various meetings and correspondence relating to former First Ministers: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government to Back Off Scotland and all briefings written for ministers about the group between March 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. Did Humza Yousaf issue an instruction to his cabinet to support Nicola Sturgeon in June after her arrest and all written minist...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.38(1) 8 attachments

Published: 2024-08-12
Reference: FOI/202300374275
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Salaries and number of ministers, special advisors and civil servants in 2003, 2013 and 2023: FOI release

For each of the years 2003, 2013 and 2023 can you provide please the following information: 1. The total number of Ministers in post at The Scottish Government/The Scottish Executive. 2. The total salaries for these Ministers for the year in question. 3. The total number of civil servants dedicated to the Private Of...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.4 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.27(1)

Published: 2024-08-01
Reference: FOI/202400421758
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public Sector

Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

1. Over the past five years how many FoI requests have been submitted? Please can I have this broken down by year? (So for the years of 2019, 20, 21, 22, 23. If financial years are used, please may I have the data for this financial year to the date this has been submitted.) 2. Over the past five years how many FoI re...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.20 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-04-10
Reference: FOI/202400397701
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government and Executive Agency policy regarding social media posts: FOI release

Does the Scottish Government and related agencies have a policy of removing comments from social media? If so, what is this policy? Regardless if a policy exists or not, what criteria does the Scottish Government and related agencies use to remove comments from social media posts?

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.5 s.8 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-03-27
Reference: FOI/202400394165
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Social Media Monitoring Tools across departments: FOI release

1. A list of each social media listening/social media monitoring tool the Scottish Government pays for across all departments or directorates. Please include the annual fee/cost of each. 2. The document for each social media monitoring tool which states the terms, topics, issues, names or subjects that each social med...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-20
Reference: FOI/202400392556
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care communications during December 2022 - January 2023: FOI release

Any and all communications (including WhatsApps +private emails about government business) from Michael Matheson during December 2022 and January 2023. Any documents relating to the decision to pay for Michael Matheson's iPad bill from the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Any documents relating to the decision-ma...

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

Published: 2024-03-07
Reference: FOI/202300384476
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

1. How many requests for information made under FOISA has the Scottish Government received between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023? 2. Of those requests, how many received a full response within the 20 working day limit as set out in FOISA? 3. Of those requests, how many were either fully or partially refused by ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.29 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-03-04
Reference: FOI/202400392833
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector