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

685 matching releases

Breakdown of FOI reviews submitted to Scottish Government: FOI release

1) For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government are reviewed. 2) For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI reviews to the Scottish Government are partially or fully upheld.

FOI/EIR already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence s.20 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-05-25
Reference: FOI/202300352494
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Average response times for an FOI request: FOI release

1) The mean, median and maximum response times for an FOI to the Scottish Government over the last 12 months. 2) The number and percentage of FOIs that were referred to Special Advisers for each month of the last five years. 3) The mean, median and maximum response times for all FOIs referred to Special Advisers over t...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.3 s.20 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-05-25
Reference: FOI/202300352495
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Breakdown of FOI late responses in past five years: FOI release

For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government receive a late response (based on timescales set out on FOISA). For each month of the last 5 years, the number of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government that receive a late response.

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-05-25
Reference: FOI/202300352496
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Slowest Freedom of Information (FOI) responses in last 5 years: FOI release

The top 3 slowest FOI responses in each of the last 5 years, including the total length of time it took to respond to each FOI and a short description of the subject of the FOI.

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence s.20 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-05-24
Reference: FOI/202300352490
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Communications with external economists and consultants discussing Building a new Scotland: FOI release

Please provide all Scottish Government communications with external economists and consultants, discussing Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence – published by the Scottish Government on 17th October 2022.

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

Published: 2023-04-17
Reference: FOI/202200325994
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence mentioning “euro” and “currency”: FOI release

All email correspondence sent or received by the Scottish Government Special Adviser Ewan Crawford, 1st May 2021 - date, mentioning “euro” and “currency”. Your clarification sent on 26 February 2023 confirmed that you are looking for email correspondence sent or received from 1 May 2021 to the date of your request, rat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-03-30
Reference: FOI/202300344511
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

George Adam's (SNP) meeting: FOI release

1) All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to the following meeting: 1a) George Adam's meeting with Daren F...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-02-15
Reference: FOI/202200331316
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence on Sustainable Growth Commission report informing contents of Building a New Scotland publication: FOI release

Please provide all Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) correspondence and documents discussing how the SNP’s Sustainable Growth Commission report (published in 2018) would inform the contents of Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence – published by the...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.29(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-02-07
Reference: FOI/202200333877
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

Proposed Independence Prospectus: FOI release

Information on the number of civil servants currently working to develop the proposed Independence Prospectus, for their remit, and timetable for publication.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.3 s.30

Published: 2023-01-18
Reference: FOI/202200321527
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence with Scottish Fiscal Commission regarding independence paper: FOI release

All correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fiscal Commission regarding the recent paper "A Stronger Economy with Independence", published by the Scottish Government. This includes any analysis provided by the Scottish Fiscal Commission and any analysis requested by the Scottish Government on th...

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

Published: 2023-01-12
Reference: FOI/202200329337
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Total number of FOIs submitted by the media not answered: FOI release

How many foi requests by the media have not been provided over past two years? I.e. how many exempted due to cost or otherwise?

FOI partially withheld 60 score 18 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2023-01-06
Reference: FOI/202200331919
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Mayor of Greater Manchester correspondence between specific dates - FoI release

"copies of all emails, letters, text and any other communication between the Scottish Government (including the First Minister, her office and all government officials) and Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, his team and that local authority. The time frame would be from the first such communication in 2022...

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

Published: 2022-12-28
Reference: FOI/202200317025
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Office of Mayor of Greater Manchester correspondence - FoI Release

"Electronic copies of all communication from within the Scottish Government between ministers, special advisors, civil servants, government officials – including the First Minister’s email account, her office, and her chief of staff Colin McAllister - regarding meeting Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, and...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 71 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp 2 attachments

Published: 2022-12-28
Reference: FOI/202200320940
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Referendums Scotland Bill Team staffing details: FOI release

“How many civil servants does the Scottish Government use for work towards a second independence referendum please? Can this number be provided from 2014 to 2022 too please? In which Scottish Government buildings are the civil servants working towards an independence referendum based please? Ie, Bute House, for example...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence contracts s.17 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1)

Published: 2022-12-15
Reference: FOI/202200319524
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

£20 million budget for independence: FOI release

1. How many free school dinners for poor families would the £20 m buy 2. How many food banks would the robbed sum provide for 3. How many domestic fuel costs would that buy for low income families in Scotland 4. What was the cost of the Government chauffeur car service for you and your 38 Ministers in the last 12 month...

FOI released 75 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.39(1)

Published: 2022-11-30
Reference: FOI/202200322780
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