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

Use of Bute House for interviews by the First Ministers wife: FOI release

Can you confirm what the rules are in regards to the first ministers wife, who is not a member of the government, using the taxpayer funded bute house address to film media interviews with the BBC today? Can you also share the rules on the first minister taking his family to government work events (children and wife) w...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-27
Reference: FOI/202300380502
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister’s Christmas Media Reception: FOI release

Regarding the First Minister’s Christmas Media Reception, held at Bute House last night 14/12/23: A number of civil servants could be overheard discussing being "asked to go and buy booze at the last minute". Was alcohol or "booze" always going to be served at the Christmas Media Reception? If not, when was it decid...

FOI not held 45 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.17(1) s.7 s.10 s.4 s.27(1) s.17

Published: 2024-02-23
Reference: FOI/202300389912
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care use of governmental device: FOI release

1. Whether Michael Matheson informed anyone in the Scottish Government of his holiday to Morocco during December 2022/January 2023 in advance of it and if so when. 2. Whether Michael Matheson asked the Scottish Government to take a government device with him on this holiday, whether this request was accepted or rejecte...

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

Published: 2024-01-23
Reference: FOI/202300385115
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Number of FOI/EIR's received annually and costs incurred for responding: FOI release

Total cost, per calendar year, from Jan 1st 2015 to present date, incurred by the Scottish Government in answering FOI and EIR requests. Total number, per calendar year, from Jan 1st 2015 to present date, of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government. Total number, per calendar year, from Jan 1st 2015 to present ...

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

Published: 2024-01-16
Reference: FOI/202300383092
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ferry service queries (Corran/Ferguson Marine): FOI release

When was the use of an MOD vessel to replace the Corran Ferry service, while both vessels are out of action, discussed at a cabinet meeting. When was the A9 Tomatin to Moy dualling contract and the new procurement process (post February 2023 announcement to restart) discussed at a cabinet meeting. When was the delay of...

FOI unclear 55 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence meetings contracts s.17(1)

Published: 2024-01-05
Reference: 202300355968
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministers' private interests: FOI release

All the information in all the lists of interests (including spouse, partner and family interests) provided by each minister currently serving in the Scottish Government upon their appointment by Humza Yousaf, including the information provided by the First Minister himself. Any confirmation from ministers, at the time...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.11 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-01-03
Reference: 202300350930
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government expenditure on TikTok: FOI release

A breakdown of Scottish Government expenditure on TikTok, including a breakdown by subject matter, and whether it was used to promote a specific policy position to young people. Reasoning behind advertising on TikTok and a breakdown of what adverts were shown and how many people they reached. The cost/benefit analysis ...

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

Published: 2023-12-29
Reference: 202300356486
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Official letter sent to Royal Household for Crown consent: FOI release

Please for each of the following bills firstly: the official letter sent by Scottish ministers to the Royal Household notifying the monarch that these bills will, or are likely to, trigger the crown consent clauses of Scottish parliament standing orders, and which detail the parts of the bill which did so and why, and ...

FOI unclear 55 score 9 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2023-12-11
Reference: FOI/202300381740
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity government issued mobile handset: FOI release

1. Does Lorna Slater use a mobile phone handset issued to her by the Scottish Government? 2. If Lorna Slater does not use a mobile phone handset issued to her by the Scottish Government, does the Scottish Government pay the bill for any personal handsets used by Lorna Slater, either directly, or via expense claims? 3...

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

Published: 2023-12-06
Reference: FOI/202300382799
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Consultation Hub response statistics since 2015: FOI release

For each year that the consultation hub (http://consult.scotland.gov.uk) has been operating since October 2015, please provide: 1. The average length of time taken from the closure of a consultation to the publication of responses. 2. The average length of time taken from the closure of a consultation to the publicat...

FOI released 75 score 20 working days correspondence s.2 s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2023-12-04
Reference: FOI/202300379124
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Gifts handed out by the Scottish Government for 2023, 2022 and 2021: FOI release

Please provide me with a list of presents and gifts handed out by the Scottish Government for 2023, 2022 and 2021. Please advise what the gifts were, how much they cost, who the recipient was and when the gifts were handed out.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-29
Reference: FOI/202300369999
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Nicola Sturgeon’s visit to Dr Bell’s Family Centre: FOI release

The Scottish Government is included as one of the ‘Funders’ of ‘Dr Bell’s Family Centre’ in Leith (details included on their website). Please provide information of all funding and grants that have been awarded to ‘Dr Bell’s Family Centre’ during the period April 2015 until April 2023. On September 5th 2022 First Minis...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2023-11-23
Reference: 202300348494
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Salary and costs for the Cabinet Office assigned to the Minister for Independence: FOI release

The monthly/annual running costs for the Cabinet Office assigned to the Minister for Independence. Broke down into following. Minister’s salary. Staff(s) salary. Estimated office costs (office space and relevant office supplies, running costs for phones/postage and equipment).

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2023-11-21
Reference: 202300349523
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information (FOIs) cases discussed at Cabinet: FOI release

During the Scottish Parliament's Convener's Group meeting on September 27, 2023, Humza Yousaf said that certain FOIs had been brought to cabinet to discuss. Which FOIs were they, why were they brought to cabinet, and what was the resulting decision? Please also provide the responses to the FOIs that were brought to Cab...

FOI not held 45 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.17(1)

Published: 2023-11-21
Reference: FOI/202300378309
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Travel by Ministers for Party Political Occasions: FOI release

In Section 9.23 of the Ministerial Code, Travel by Ministers – Party Political Occasions, it states that; ‘Where a visit is a mix of political and official engagements, it is important that the Government and the party each meet a proper proportion of the actual cost’. Please provide information on whether or not the S...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.9 s.17(1) s.39(1)

Published: 2023-11-20
Reference: FOI/202300373939
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Social media and media advertising spend on COVID-19 vaccination programme: FOI release

The amount of money spent by the Scottish Government on social media and media advertising to encourage people to take the COVID-19 vaccinations, including paying or rewarding 'social media influencers', media personalities and public figures.

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

Published: 2023-11-16
Reference: FOI/202300375231
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence that mentions BBC journalist Sarah Smith: FOI release

Please provide all emails or correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon, her office, civil servants and James Dornan MSP and his office that mention BBC journalist Sarah Smith from January and February this year. Please provide any internal Scottish Government emails or correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon and other memb...

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

Published: 2023-11-13
Reference: 202200285489
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

List of all adverts funded by the Scottish Government hosted on YouTube: FOI release

A list of all adverts funded by the Scottish Government hosted on YouTube in December 2022 and January 2023. The amount spent on these adverts. All correspondence relating to the ‘visit Glasgow this winter’ advert that has appeared on YouTube with the Scottish Government’s branding. Whether or not the Scottish Governme...

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

Published: 2023-11-03
Reference: 202300338164
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence relating to devolved vs reserved matters: FOI release

1. Any correspondence held by the Scottish government between the permanent secretary John Paul Marks and the cabinet secretary Simon Case, in relation to devolved vs reserved matters. By this I mean things like the constitution and foreign affairs – potential examples would be the subject of a “minister for independen...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-02
Reference: FOI/202300367840
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Breakdown of food and takeaway deliveries received at Bute House: FOI release

Please provide me with a breakdown of food and takeaway deliveries received at Bute House over the last five years. Please specify which foods were ordered on each occasion, which business the food was ordered from, and what the cost was.

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

Published: 2023-11-02
Reference: 202200319167
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government's Twitter accounts: FOI release

For each member of the government, can you release details of the accounts they have blocked on Twitter? Can you release details of all accounts blocked by each of the Scottish Government's Twitter accounts? Clarification We wrote to you to clarify the scope of your request with regards to “each of the Scottish Gover...

FOI unclear 55 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2023-10-27
Reference: 202300337483
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Gifts received by First Minister: FOI release

Please provide me with a list of all gifts received by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon over her term in office. Please tell me what the items are, when they were gifted and by whom. If possible, please include a value. Please also tell us whether Ms Sturgeon was able to keep these gifts or not.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 9 working days correspondence ministers s.11 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.27(1)

Published: 2023-10-24
Reference: 202300348626
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial contact time: FOI release

Please supply the content of all documentation regarding the preferences of all current Scottish Government ministers for working on or being contacted on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and during anti-social hours, including preferences regarding a disinclination to work or be contacted during such days and time...

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

Published: 2023-10-19
Reference: 202300356735
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Royal Household handling of requests: FOI release

Accordingly, please provide any information held by the Scottish Government in relation to the following matters: How any request by the Royal Household for information in relation to a Bill for which consent is sought, or any objection to the Bill’s content, are to be handled, including any general policies or practi...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.20 s.30 s.36(1) s.41

Published: 2023-10-11
Reference: 202300359750
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Documentation regarding ministerial briefing preferences: FOI release

The content of all documentation regarding Ministerial preferences detailing how current Scottish Government Ministers prefer their briefings, speeches and correspondence to be prepared and handled.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-11
Reference: 202300360682
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector