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

207 matching releases

Top 10 longest wait for current outstanding FOIs: FOI release

The top 10 longest waits for currently outstanding FOIs, including information about the department handling it and subject of the FOI.

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence meetings spending

Published: 2023-07-20
Reference: FOI/202300363704
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Staffing information regarding independence work: FOI release

It was recently reported that there are 20 civil servant staff working on ‘independence’. This was confirmed by the Minister For Independence, Jamie Hepburn. https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/jamie-hepburn-confirms-20-civil-30034650 Can you please provide the job titles, departments they work in, a...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending

Published: 2023-06-15
Reference: FOI/202300358071
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector, Work and skills

FOI responses which included the release of WhatsApp messages: FOI release

This is a follow up request to a previous FOI response. Your ref: 202300348653 The response to the above referenced request includes this remark: “The Scottish Government has previously released messaging exchanges in response to Freedom of Information requests.” Please provide information held by the Scottish Gover...

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence whatsapp

Published: 2023-06-14
Reference: FOI/202300352882
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

FOIs submitted regarding Finance and Economy: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Finance and Economy from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Kate Forbes before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs cleared by John Swinney (as Kate Forbes on maternity leave) before release/publication. 4. The ...

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers

Published: 2023-01-31
Reference: FOI/202200335611
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

FOIs submitted regarding Justice and Veterans: FOI release

1.The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Justice and Veterans from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Keith Brown before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers

Published: 2023-01-31
Reference: FOI/202200335609
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

FOIs submitted regarding Rural Affairs and Islands: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Rural Affairs and Islands from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Mairi Gougeon before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers

Published: 2023-01-30
Reference: FOI/202200335635
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Angus Robertson before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers

Published: 2023-01-30
Reference: FOI/202200335631
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

FOIs submitted regarding Net Zero, Energy and Transport: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Net Zero, Energy and Transport from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Michael Matheson before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 3 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2023-01-30
Reference: FOI/202200335627
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

FOIs submitted regarding Education and Skills: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Education and Skills from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Shirley-Anne Somerville before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers

Published: 2023-01-30
Reference: FOI/202200335626
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

FOIs submitted regarding Health and Social Care: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Health and Social Care from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Humza Yousaf before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers

Published: 2023-01-30
Reference: FOI/202200335621
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

FOIs submitted regarding Social Justice, Housing and Local Government: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Social Justice, Housing and Local Government from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Shona Robison before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers

Published: 2023-01-30
Reference: FOI/202200335620
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Staff on Independence Prospectus: FOI release

If the number of civil servants currently working to develop the proposed Independence Prospectus has changed or remains one Senior Civil Servant and twenty-three other officials. Also, the grade pay of each staff member.

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

Published: 2022-11-30
Reference: FOI/202200327159
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Social media independence spend: FOI release

1. How much money has the Scottish Government spent on creating social media videos about independence? A breakdown of these figures. 2. How many videos has the Scottish Government created about independence in 2021 and 2022 and a list of these videos? 3. Who created the videos and how many people were involved in crea...

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.1 s.17(1)

Published: 2022-11-30
Reference: FOI/202200327588
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Discussions with the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) regarding Independence: FOI release

What discussions have the Scottish Government had with Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) regarding a referendum on Scottish independence and its potential impacts?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence

Published: 2022-10-19
Reference: FOI/202200313387
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Discussions with Universities Scotland regarding a referendum on Scottish Independence and its potential impact: FOI release

What discussions have the Scottish Government had with Universities Scotland regarding a referendum on Scottish independence and its potential impacts?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence

Published: 2022-10-19
Reference: FOI/202200313382
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Education, Public sector

Independence spending 2014 – June 2022: FOI release

Since the SNP have been in power in the Scottish Government how much money have they spent on their pursuit of independence? Departments/staff, the 2014 referendum, opinion polls, and the new campaign started this month. Has this money come from Scottish Government budget or out of the SNP own finances?

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2022-10-17
Reference: FOI/202200306332
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

The number of Cabinet meetings attended by Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater since their appointment as Ministers to the Scottish Government: FOI release

1. The number of Cabinet meetings attended by Patrick Harvie since his appointment as a Minister of the Scottish Government. Please provide the dates and reasons for his attendance. 2. The number of Cabinet meetings attended by Lorna Slater since her appointment as a Minister of the Scottish Government. Please provide...

FOI unclear 50 score 5 working days correspondence ministers meetings

Published: 2022-10-03
Reference: FOI/202200316256
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparation of independence prospectus papers: FOI release

I would like to request the following information please in relation to the Independence in the Modern wide world white paper along with any other documents produced to coincide with it. I understand 1 Senior official and 19 others worked on the project. Can you provide the following please. 1) The total accumulative a...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.6

Published: 2022-09-27
Reference: FOI/202200311764
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

2022 Census form statistics: FOI release

"Please can you provide me with the following: 1. The number of completed census forms for 2022. 2. The number of outstanding census forms as at this date. 3. The final date for census forms to be returned. 4. The number of fines (if any) issued for non-completion of a census form. 5. The number of these fines which ha...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2022-09-27
Reference: FOI/202200314131
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

MSP and Ministerial salary entitlements: FOI release

"The annual figure that N Sturgeon has drawn as her salary from 2008/09 till April 2022. ie has the full salary for her roll been taken and taxed or has she only been paid her 2008/09 salary each year. Also a breakdown of what public Ministers that have "made available £250k" from their pay packet, was it taxed before ...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2022-09-27
Reference: FOI/202200312722
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Money and tax, Public sector

Electoral Services in Scotland nationality choice option: FOI release

"If Electoral Services in Scotland allow the choice of "Scottish", as opposed to British, as an option when registering to vote for elections at all levels".

FOI unclear 50 score 6 working days correspondence

Published: 2022-09-22
Reference: FOI/202200317318
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Renewing Democracy through Independence: FOI release

1) The number of civil servants who worked on the Renewing Democracy through Independence paper from the Scottish Government published today. 2) The number of printed copies of this paper handed out at the launch event on 14 July 2022 and all costs to the Scottish Government associated with this launch event.

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

Published: 2022-08-16
Reference: FOI/202200311120
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

E-mails sent to and received from Sinn Fein: FOI release

"I request for each calendar or financial year for which records are held: 1 The number of emails sent to @sinnfein.ie (Sinn Fein party) email addresses 2. The number of emails received from @sinnfein.ie (Sinn Fein) email addresses"

FOI unclear 50 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence

Published: 2022-08-01
Reference: FOI/202200306586
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Questions regarding work on "Building a New Scotland" document: FOI release

1. How many civil servants worked on these documents and for how long and what the total cost of this was? 2. How many special advisers worked on these papers and what exactly their role was. I would also like to know if any of the special advisers have authority over civil servants. 3. Has the advice of the Permanen...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2022-07-27
Reference: FOI/202200306418
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information on FOI requests received by the Government: FOI release

1) The total number of FOI requests received by the Scottish Ministers from requesters named Conor Matchett since January 1, 2021; 2) The number of those FOI requests responded to within the 20 day legal requirement; 3) For those FOIs which were subject to an internal review request, how many were responded to within...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.3 s.4 s.5 s.25(1)

Published: 2022-07-25
Reference: FOI/202200305116
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector