Scottish Government FOI Index

22,640releases indexed

40,478attachments found

29.5avg calendar days

8,386partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-09-02newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,386 unclear 7,405 not held 3,239 released 1,581 already published 700 cost limit 627 clarification 372 withheld 249 transferred 81

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5149 s.20 4430 s.34(1) 3727 s.39(2) 3593 s.30 2994 s.17(1) 2922 s.25(1) 2520 s.10(4) 2060 s.11(2) 1619 s.29(1) 1223 s.2 1222 s.3 958

Timeline

2026-09 1 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,312 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 978 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 961 releases · 30.9 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 737 releases · 39.7 avg days Constitution Directorate 702 releases · 35.9 avg days Population Health Directorate 665 releases · 28.5 avg days People Directorate 657 releases · 25.6 avg days

Clear

1,312 matching releases

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

Ministerial Diaries relating to internal meetings, parliamentary business and events: FOI release

“I am writing under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2000 to request the full diaries of the Ministers outlined below, accounting for the past three months (15/04/2025-15/07/2025). Please outline what type of engagement it is, alongside where/with whom the engagement took place, and broadly what the theme of ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.27(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500476126
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Overseas trips conducted by the First Minister: FOI release

1. Overseas trips conducted by the first minister since 01 January 2024 including all countries visited on each trip. 2. The number of officials who accompanied the first minister on each trip. 3. The total cost of flights and accommodation for each trip, including for officials. 4. The class of flight tickets purch...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.4 s.25(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1)

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500478455
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Home and hybrid working policies for Scottish Government staff: FOI release

"Please provide any documents and correspondence, including emails, relating to guidance on home working policies for civil servants." "Please ensure these include internal changes and documents published and discussions with trade unions.”

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.25(1) s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-30
Reference: FOI/202500484504
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

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

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs and Cabinet Secretary for Housing ministerial diaries: FOI release

I am writing under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2000 to request the full diaries of the Ministers outlined below, accounting for the past three months (15/04/2025-15/07/2025). Please outline what type of engagement it is, alongside where/with whom the engagement took place, and broadly what the theme of th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.27(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-23
Reference: FOI/202500476124
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care engagements: FOI release

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.27(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-23
Reference: FOI/202500476128
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, 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

Scottish Government spend on social media advertising: FOI release

Can I please request the following information under FOI: The amount of money the Scottish Government spent on social media advertising in 2021-22; 2022-23 and 2023-2024. Can you please break this down by platform type (Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and LinkedIn).

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2025-10-20
Reference: FOI/202500474810
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Building a New Scotland series website downloads: FOI release

Please provide the most recent available data on the number of views, downloads, and any public responses for each individual publication in the Building a New Scotland independence prospectus series. This is a follow-up to FOI-202400402847, but I am requesting the latest available figures for all published papers in ...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.17

Published: 2025-10-20
Reference: FOI/202500475997
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Building a new Scotland, Public sector

Scottish Government Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) hybrid working policy: FOI release

1. Please provide an unredacted version of the Scottish Government’s full equality impact assessment (EQIA) for its new hybrid working policy, where staff should spend 40% of their contracted hours working in an office or community. 2. Please provide any correspondence or documentation published about this on the Scot...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-14
Reference: FOI/202500484788
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Bute House energy supplier: EIR release

The name of the supplier who supplies gas to Bute House. For example, Scottish Power, Total Energies Gas & Power, etc. The name of the supplier who supplies electricity to Bute House. For example, Scottish Power, Total Energies Gas & Power, etc.

FOI/EIR unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence contracts

Published: 2025-10-14
Reference: EIR/202500473139
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Energy, 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's process of logging correspondence: FOI release

Explain the logging process for citizen, public body and private enterprise concerns across government departments, inclusive of different party leadership. (For example, whether data analytics are applied to identify themes in citizen concerns, and how this is communicated to ministers and parliamentary scrutiny panel...

FOI not held 40 score 10 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2025-10-13
Reference: FOI/202500474411
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence between Scottish Ministers and the Herald newspaper: FOI release

Copies of correspondence since 1 January 2025 between Scottish Ministers and The Herald newspaper, excluding requests for comment on stories for publication.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38 4 attachments

Published: 2025-10-13
Reference: FOI/202500472311
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Freedom of Information (FOI) statistics: FOI release

1) The total number of FOI responses issued by the Scottish Government. 2) The number of FOI responses that were referred to a Special Adviser for review or comment prior to release. 3) The number of FOI responses that were referred for Ministerial approval or sign-off prior to release. 4) If recorded, the number of...

FOI/EIR clarification 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.12

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500471350
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information regarding the resignation of former Minister for Housing and former Minister for Climate Action: FOI release

1) The official resignation dates from ministerial office of Paul McLennan and Alasdair Allan. 2) The dates on which these resignations were communicated to the First Minister or Permanent Secretary. 3) Any correspondence (including emails, memos, or briefings) discussing the timing of their resignations. 4) Any doc...

FOI not held 45 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.4 s.3 s.25(1) s.17

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500471470
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications related to Scottish Information Commissioner decision notice: FOI release

"For thoroughness, and to eliminate any need for any investigation of the Authority under section 65 of FOISA, the Authority was invited to assist the Commissioner by requesting a voluntary affidavit from the named Special Adviser. It was requested that this clarify the named Special Adviser’s role in the redaction pro...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.65 s.30 s.36(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500470557
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Ministerial engagements attended by relation or friend: FOI release

Please provide a list of all ministerial engagements, meetings or visits in 2025 to date where a minister has been accompanied by a spouse/partner, other family member or friend. In each case, please confirm: The relation of the guest to the minister. Whether the friend or family member travel using the ministerial c...

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500472116
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

Forwarded e-mails from ministerial e-mail addresses to personal email addresses: FOI release

Number of times government ministers have forwarded e-mails or documents from their ministerial e-mail addresses to their personal e-mail addresses in calendar years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 to date? Please provide the data broken down by the name, and role of the government minister for each year. If the same...

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2025-09-23
Reference: FOI/202500468575
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Engagements held in Bute House: FOI release

Any and all engagements hosted in Bute House between 5th to 9th May 2025. The First Ministers diary of engagements for the week of 5th to 9th May 2025. Any and all communication from or to the First Minister for the week of 5th to 9th May 2025. A list of attendees, visitors or other persons signed into Bute House for t...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.12 s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2025-09-23
Reference: FOI/202500466941
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector