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

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture work attendance information: FOI release

Could you supply me with how many working days Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has spent in Scotland and how many days he has spent outwith Scotland on government business in 2023.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600501566
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Staff feedback on election guidance: FOI release

1) Any correspondence including Teams messages, emails, or intranet posts or comments on or to the Election 2026 Internal Readiness Project Board. 2) Any actions note, agendas, meeting minutes, or documents prepared for or distributed by the board, including any summaries of findings or survey results. 3) Any respons...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings spending s.3 s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600509907
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture working days information: FOI release

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600501543
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture attendance on government business: FOI release

So far this month (January 2026) and up to the date of this FOI, could you supply me with how many working days Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has spent in Scotland and how many days he has spent outwith Scotland on government business.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600501541
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Ministers mobile phone and laptop query: FOI release

How many SNP Ministers have work phones, and how many don't? Could you supply a full list of Ministers and a full list of work devices they have?

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600502746
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Demographic proportionality in "We Are Scotland" campaign: FOI Review

Original request 202600502212 To understand the policy and decision-making process behind the We are Scotland campaign, you requested the following information: The Creative Brief: A copy of the creative brief provided to the advertising agency/agencies responsible for the "We Are Scotland" campaign, specifically any...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence meetings contracts spending s.33(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-11
Reference: FOI/202600505409 Review of 202600502212
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Emails sent from the Lord Advocate's work email on the 25 of February 2026: FOI release

I’d like to FOI all send emails of the Lord Advocate work email on the 25 of February 2026.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-11
Reference: FOI/202600508695
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Communications discussing the Scottish Information Commissioner's statement relating to Hamilton Inquiry: FOI release

All communications discussing the SIC's statement (published here - https://www.foi.scot/preposterous-excuses-given-latest-scottish-government-non-compliance).

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

Published: 2026-05-07
Reference: FOI/202600511015
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Expenses of artwork in Ministerial Offices: FOI release

The total cost involved in purchasing, selecting, moving, removing, and installing artwork in Minister’s offices in the Scottish Parliament and St Andrew’s House since 6 May 2024.

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending

Published: 2026-05-07
Reference: FOI/202500498533
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector, Work and skills

Freedom of Information vexatious or repeated requests data: FOI release

1) Please provide the number of Freedom of Information requests refused by the Scottish Government for being vexatious since John Swinney became First Minister. Also provide the same for the time Humza Yousaf was First Minister and the same for when Nicola Sturgeon was First Minister. 2) For each of the above provide ...

FOI transferred 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.14(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.14V 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-06
Reference: FOI/202600510718
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information regarding the diary and schedule of selected Ministers: FOI release

For each of the following individuals: Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Natalie Don, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety For each of the following dates: 2 April 2025 10 June 2025 14 July 2025 1 October 2025 8 O...

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

Published: 2026-05-06
Reference: FOI/202500495808
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Lord Carloway and Lord Justice Clerk Lady Dorrian retirement function information: FOI release

Information contained in documents, discussions meetings & communications held by & between the Scottish Government and any other organisation, including courts & judiciary, legal representative bodies & any other party and including information contained in any arrangements, preparations, costs, work & hire, supplies,...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-06
Reference: FOI/202600510775
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Independence in Scotland: FOI release

Could you supply all briefings written for John Swinney's interview with Laura Kuenssberg on March 8 as well as all correspondence setting up the interview. He said in the interview: "I think it's now pretty clear in opinion polls that there is a sustained majority support for independence in Scotland." Could you provi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-30
Reference: FOI/202600509980
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Freedom of Information department's correspondence that contains any reference to a “third intervention”: FOI release

Three requests summarised below with the relevant reference numbers we have used to process them: 202600509939 – “All correspondence sent or received (including internal correspondence) by members of the Scottish Government Freedom of Information department that contains any reference to a “third intervention” within ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-30
Reference: FOI/202600509939
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

First Minister’s 2025 Christmas card information: FOI release

1. The original image file The original, unedited photograph used on the First Minister’s 2025 Christmas card, including any available metadata (EXIF data). 2. Authorship and provenance Any documents, emails, or internal communications confirming who took the photograph. Any documents recording when and where the phot...

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

Published: 2026-04-29
Reference: FOI/202600509098
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Number of staff allocated to each Cabinet Secretary and Minister: FOI relaese

The total number of staff allocated to each Cabinet Minister and Minister. Please include how the composition of staff is arrived at- I.e what evidence informs staffing decisions for each Minister.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-29
Reference: FOI/202600509308
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence with the PCS union and the FDA unions in relation to the hybrid working policy: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence, unredacted, relating to the Scottish Government’s correspondence with the PCS union and the FDA unions in relation to the hybrid working policy. Please provide these details from October 22, 2025 until March 3, 2026. Please provide any correspondence relating to the hybrid working pol...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2026-04-29
Reference: FOI/202600509259
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence from Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise’s Private Office 26 November 2025 to Thursday 27 November 2025: FOI release

“For the period Wednesday 26 November 2025 to Thursday 27 November 2025, please provide: All sent email chains from the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise specifically the minister's @gov.scot email account”

FOI partially withheld 85 score 4 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-29
Reference: FOI/202600508761
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Emails sent from the Cabinet Secretary for Education’s official address on 25 February 2026: FOI release

I'd like to FOI all send emails of the Cabinet Secretary for Education sent from her address on the 25 of February 2026.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-28
Reference: FOI/202600508574
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Roles of ministerial private office staff: FOI Review

Original Request 202600504042 Copies of job descriptions and roles and responsibilities of all Scottish Government “ministerial private office” staff at pay scale grade C1, C2, C3 and SCS. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include what is expected of individuals at these grades in relation to “Ministerial engag...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers s.21(4) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-28
Reference: FOI/202600508829 - Review of 202600504042
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Direct communication between the First Minister and Permanent Secretary and their associated offices: FOI release

Under FOI, I would like to request all documentation exchanged between the (1) First Minister and his office, and (2) Joe griffin and his office from 01 December to the date of this FOI. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not where either party have been copied to a chain of emails. This is specifically about direct ...

FOI cost limit 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-28
Reference: FOI/202600508787
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Documents which mention section 52 of FOISA and First Minister to cease the effect of a Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC) decision: FOI release

All communications/documents which mention section 52 of FOISA/the ability of the FM to cease the effect of a SIC decision notice since January 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.52 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-24
Reference: FOI/202600506970
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence between the First Minister, Director General Economy relating to Global Counsel: FOI release

(1) Can you please send me copies of any and all correspondence, including texts, whatsapps, emails, deleted emails, voicenotes, minutes of meetings, exchanged between Gregor Irwin and Peter Mandelson, or any employee of the firm Global Counsel, or mentioning Global Counsel or Peter Mandelson/Lord Mandelson held by the...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.33(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-23
Reference: FOI/202600506640
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Cost of Deputy First Minister's 2026 trip to the United Arab Emirates: FOI release

The total cost, broken into a table that lists the different costs, of Kate Forbes' recent trip to the United Arab Emirates in January/February 2026.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-22
Reference: FOI/202600506185
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Senior Special Adviser communications: FOI release

Communications sent and received by Senior Special Adviser Jeanette Campbell during the week commencing Monday 2 February 2026.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.25 s.27(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-21
Reference: FOI/202600505102
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector