Scottish Government FOI Index

21,792releases indexed

39,278attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

8,073partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,073 unclear 7,195 not held 3,052 released 1,533 already published 668 cost limit 605 clarification 348 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4905 s.20 4252 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3455 s.30 2866 s.17(1) 2763 s.25(1) 2372 s.10(4) 1971 s.11(2) 1559 s.29(1) 1168 s.2 1152 s.3 903

Timeline

2026-05 339 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263 2025-10 217

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,275 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 961 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 919 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 859 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 725 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 631 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

1,275 matching releases

Scottish Government's Freedom of Information (FOI) compliance statistics: FOI release

Statistics for the Scottish Government's Freedom of Information (FOI) compliance for January 2021 through December 2024, including the number of FOI requests received, the number responded to within statutory deadlines, and the number of those delayed beyond 20 working days.

FOI/EIR released 70 score 18 working days correspondence

Published: 2025-12-03
Reference: FOI/202500482087
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

World Media Awards 2025 information: FOI release

Information regarding any potential use of public funds (including Scottish taxpayer money) in relation to the "World Media Awards 2025," organized by the World Media Group (with ceremony on September 18, 2025, at the Ham Yard Hotel, London). 1. Any records, emails, memos, or correspondence (from January 1, 2024, to t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence briefings contracts spending s.3 s.38 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-03
Reference: FOI/202500481893
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence and meeting notes in relation to the handling of request 202500472911: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence and meeting notes etc. in relation to the preparation, handling and clearance of the response to FOI 202500472911. Notably, this should include FOI response clearance comments from the Scottish Government Executive Team, SG Communications, SpAds and Ministers.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.25(1) s.15 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-02
Reference: FOI/202500481037
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Consideration of Section 5 FOISA Designation of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and other bodies: FOI release

1. Has the Scottish Government considered, since 1 January 2020, the designation of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) as a Scottish public authority under section 5 of FOISA? Please provide any internal or external legal advice, ministerial submissions, policy papers, or correspondence on this subje...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.5 s.3 6 attachments

Published: 2025-12-02
Reference: FOI/202500481032
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister's government & political diary information: FOI release

First Minister’s full diary (government and political for the 11th to 13th August 2025 (date inclusive)).

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-18
Reference: FOI/202500479614
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Parliament Bureau correspondence regarding parliamentary business: FOI release

1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the First Minister and the Scottish Parliament Bureau regarding parliamentary business for the Scottish Parliament in September 2025. Information should include but not be li...

FOI not held 40 score 8 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp

Published: 2025-11-18
Reference: FOI/202500482332
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Events at Bute House residence: FOI release

“A list of all events held in Bute House from 29 March 2023 to date, how much they cost to hold, and who or what person/organisation paid these costs.”

FOI unclear 50 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending

Published: 2025-11-17
Reference: FOI/202500475367
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and the LINCO consultancy company: FOI release

“Copies of all correspondence between the Scottish Government and the LINCO consultancy company set up by Catriona Matheson.”

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

Published: 2025-11-13
Reference: FOI/202500479446
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Public sector

Ministerial conflict of interest declarations: FOI release

You asked "As a follow up request, can you advise if the existence of such relationships, of which I have evidence, should mean that an MSP and/or serving minister should declare a conflict of interest prior to agreeing to engaging on a constituent’s behalf, and then failing to make representations they offered to make...

FOI unclear 50 score 3 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2025-11-11
Reference: FOI/202500482360
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Ministerial media activity information: FOI release

For the six-month period in 2025 from January 1 to June 30, please disclose the following: The number of press conferences held. For each, please give its date; location; subject; and the minister(s) taking questions. The number of pressers held. For each, please give its date; location; and the minister(s) taking que...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.27(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-06
Reference: FOI/202500477986
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Citizen Engagement platform queries: FOI release

1) Do you use a Citizen Engagement platform? 2) If so, what tools do you use? 3) How much do you spend annually on a Citizen Engagement tool? 4) Which month & year does your contract with your supplier end?

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence contracts spending

Published: 2025-11-06
Reference: FOI/202500480407
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Communications staffing within the Scottish Government: FOI release

1. The number of press and communications staff. 2. A breakdown of these staff by job title (e.g. number of press officers, heads of press office, directors of communications, social media staff, etc). 3. The overall spend on salaries for these staff in the year 2024/25.

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending

Published: 2025-11-05
Reference: FOI/202500477988
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government spend on billboard advertising in last 5 years: FOI release

Total annual expenditure, from 2019 to present (covering the last five years), annually, on billboards and billboard advertising, including a breakdown per year what the money was spent on

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2025-11-05
Reference: FOI/202500478571
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

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