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

205 matching releases

Devolved Government COVID-19 strategy: FOI release

1. Could the Scottish Government have adopted a different strategy to that of the UK government for the initial management of the COVID-19 pandemic? 2. Would the existing devolved powers of the Scottish Government enable it to have adopted a different strategy had it so wished? 3. Was the Scottish Government obliged to...

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings

Published: 2020-09-28
Reference: FOI/202000069523
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Suspension of compliance with the Freedom of Information Scotland Act: FOI release

Can you advise what advice/instruction/guidance was provided by the Scottish Government to Scottish Local Authorities on their obligation to comply with the timescales in terms of responding to a request for information made in terms of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act during the COVID-19 pandemic. Were Scottish...

FOI unclear 80 score 3 working days correspondence s.25(1) s.17(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2020-09-24
Reference: FOI/202000079439
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Irish reunification correspondence: FOI release

Any documentation (including correspondence) you hold relating to a potential future referendum In Northern Ireland. I am particularly interested in lines to take, perceived risks, impacts, draft responses and contingencies in the event of a vote in favour of reunification.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings 2 attachments

Published: 2020-09-24
Reference: FOI/202000069569
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Government Minister question decision of Government Official: FOI release

1. Are there any circumstances where a government minister is prevented from querying the decision of a government official. 2. If so, what are they. 3. Is the civil service in Scotland legally independent from the Scottish Government

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.3

Published: 2020-07-22
Reference: FOI/202000046900
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Cabinet meetings, since 10 March 2020: FOI release

How many meetings of the Scottish Cabinet, chaired by the First Minister, have been held since 10 March 2020 and on what dates those meetings were held.

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings

Published: 2020-06-29
Reference: FOI/202000040710
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Genus and species of coronavirus disease 2019: FOI release

"In relation to Coronavirus disease 2019: Further to the Public Health etc (Scotland) Act 2008 and Freedom of Information Legislation please inform me of the genus and species of the condition causing the disease as defined in the Act for which there has been enacted "distancing measures".

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence

Published: 2020-05-27
Reference: FOI/202000034031
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public safety and emergencies, +1 more … Public sector

Coronavirus - private facilities for use as a temporary hospital: FOI release

Can you please advise whether the Scottish Government has any plans to to requisition any private facilities within Glasgow for use as a temporary hospital, amid the current coronavirus crisis. If so, can you please name said facility.

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence

Published: 2020-04-20
Reference: FOI/202000023040
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Publication of Freedom of Information requests: FOI release

"How many responses to Freedom of Information requests are currently awaiting publication? Over the past 12 months, how many FOI responses have been awaiting publication for (a) less than a month, (b) 1-6 months and (c) more than 6 months? Please provide a copy of communications discussing delays of greater than 3 mont...

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

Published: 2020-03-05
Reference: FOI/202000014692
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

'Scotland's right to choose: putting Scotland's future in Scotland's hands' related costs: FOI release

All costs associated with the Scottish Government's document 'Scotland's Right to Choose: Putting Scotland's Future in Scotland's Hands'. If possible please break this down into costs on staffing (or staffing hours spent on this), internal costs, external costs such as printing etc. The number of Scottish Government st...

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

Published: 2020-02-10
Reference: FOI/202000011414
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Various questions regarding Scotland's economy: FOI release

You asked: I have a number of requests for information, required in order to consider the future of our country and in relation to the competence of our executive. Can you supply answers that tell me who to contact for this information. 1. In the event at some time in the future Scotland should opt for independence w...

FOI unclear 55 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.9

Published: 2020-01-23
Reference: FOI/201900010515
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Brexit, Economy, Money and tax, +1 more … Public sector

Scottish Government view on the Barnett formula: FOI release

You asked for the Scottish Government’s view on "Barnett formula and Baseline calculation confirmed by Westminster as having no legal basis in law", as set out in https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/public_accounts_committee_fundin#incoming-1420573, and whether Scotland has a case in the Scottish highest courts to o...

FOI unclear 55 score 11 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2020-01-06
Reference: FOI/201900010646
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Citizens' Assembly for Scotland (CAfS) - information and setup: FOI release

You asked: I am interested in the Citizens' Assembly for Scotland (CAfS). Its website does not clearly set out its legal form. I have also been unable to locate it in the National Public Bodies Directory (https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-public-bodies- directory/pages/introduction/). Can you clarify - what...

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers contracts

Published: 2019-12-30
Reference: FOI/201900009076
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Orders under Section 30(2) of the Scotland Act 1998: FOI release

You asked how many times an Order under the procedure established in Section 30(2) of the Scotland Act 1998 has been used, and asked for information on the date orders were requested, requested by whom (Holyrood or Westminster), the date agreed or rejected, and subject matter of request.

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30(2) s.30

Published: 2019-12-02
Reference: FOI/201900005928
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Number of FOIs submitted to SG requesting FM correspondence: FOI review

"How many FOIs have been submitted to the Scottish Government in 2019 requesting Nicola Sturgeon's emails or correspondence as a whole i.e. including letters, phone calls, other types of communication? As an example, this could be done by searching for "Nicola Sturgeon" and "emails" within the Scottish Government's FOI...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.60

Published: 2019-10-28
Reference: FOI/201900004176
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Number of FOIs submitted to SG requesting FM correspondence: FOI release

You asked for: How many FOIs have been submitted to the Scottish Government in 2019 requesting Nicola Sturgeon's emails or correspondence as a whole i.e. including letters, phone calls, other types of communication? As an example, this could be done by searching for "Nicola Sturgeon" and "emails" within the Scottish G...

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2019-09-17
Reference: FOI/201900003415
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministers in acting ministerial posts in June 2019: FOI release

You asked the Scottish Government to confirm: How many Ministers are in Acting Minister Posts in June 2019? How many Ministers in Acting Posts were made permanent in those posts? How many Ministers remits have been extended in the past two years? How many Ministers remits have been changed in the last two years?

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

Published: 2019-07-04
Reference: FOI/19/01541
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Expenditure of Referendums (Scotland) Bill: FOI release

You asked: “I would like to know the cost of the 268 page document that was recently drawn up by the snp. I also would like to know who paid for the costs of this document, the research, the clerical, the copies and the distribution of the entire document.” Following a query about your request, you subsequently confir...

FOI unclear 50 score 10 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2019-06-18
Reference: FOI/19/01396
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministers and Special Advisers roles responding to FOI requests: FOI release

Please provide the following: (A) any and all procedures, guidance, emails that set out the current role of Ministers and Special Advisers in responding to FOI requests and requests for internal review. (B) a risk assessment that sets out the data protection compliance considerations associated with (A).

FOI unclear 80 score 12 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.8(1) s.1(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2019-03-27
Reference: FOI/19/00669
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Briefings/documents provided to ministers on a second independence referendum: FOI release

Details of any briefings by civil servants or documents provided to SG ministers on the topic of a second independence referendum from 21 September 2018 to 23 January 2019.

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30