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

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

Communications regarding Sinn Fein visit to Bute House: FOI release

I would like to see any email correspondence sent from May 6 2022 to May 20 from Bute House staff relating to the Sinn Fein visit to Bute House on May 20.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-28
Reference: FOI/202200302139
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

FOI response times: FOI release

“The mean, median and maximum response times for an FOI to the Scottish Government over the last 12 months. Also over the last 12 months, the mean, median and maximum response time for an FOI to the Scottish Government lodged by an email address with an @parliament.scot domain. Also over the last 12 months, the mean, m...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.12

Published: 2022-07-27
Reference: FOI/202200306900
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Updated version of Bill Handbook: FOI release

Does the Bill Handbook from 2011 remains the most recent version, and if not, please provide a copy of the most recent version of that document or the nearest equivalent.

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

Published: 2022-07-25
Reference: FOI/202200306018
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Referendum Budget: FOI release

The following information: (1) A breakdown of how that £20 million was calculated - including all documents which shows how the figure was calculated and all details of how the money would be predicted to be spent. In other words, all documents which show the rationale of the final figure. (2) All correspondence betw...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.25(1) s.29(1) s.17 s.17(1)

Published: 2022-07-25
Reference: FOI/202200303499
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, 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

FOI reviews: FOI release

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

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-22
Reference: FOI/202200306902
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Government staff dedicated to dealing with Freedom of Information requests: FOI release

The number of Scottish Government staff dedicated to dealing with freedom of information requests for the last five financial years. The total salary costs for Scottish Government staff dedicated to dealing with freedom of information requests for the last five financial years. The number of external consultants e.g. l...

FOI not held 40 score 20 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2022-07-21
Reference: FOI/202200303320
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Policy meetings regarding potential Independence Referendum: FOI release

I am looking for a list of meetings that the First Minister has attended with civil servants and external stakeholders regarding a) a potential Independence Referendum and b) policy issues relating to the case for Independence between August 2021 and the present day. Can you please provide a list of dates, the attendee...

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

Published: 2022-07-20
Reference: FOI/202200306028
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications regarding crown consent provisions in Scottish legislation discussions: FOI Review

1) Copies of any internal Scottish government memos, briefing papers or emails concerning the question of changing the handling of crown consent in legislation and/or the way the crown consent provisions are communicated to MSPs, including but not exclusively to and from the Scottish government ministers and their spec...

FOI already published 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.29(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-20
Reference: FOI/202200278004 Review of 202200270508
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information relating to the number of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests received by the Government and responses: FOI release

How many FOI requests were received by the Scottish Government, how many responses were published on the Scottish Government website and how many responses were published only via direct communication to the requester in the calendar year 2021.

FOI/EIR already published 55 score 14 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.12

Published: 2022-07-19
Reference: FOI/202200305330
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information pertaining to services of Ethics Advisor: FOI release

Does the Scottish Cabinet Ministers retain the services of an Ethics Advisor? If so, who is that person, and how much are they paid?

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2022-07-18
Reference: FOI/202200308037
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Independence in the Modern World costs: FOI release

1. How much did the independence in the modern world papers cost? 2. Breakdown of these costs? 3. How many civil servants worked on it and what is their salary?

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)

Published: 2022-07-18
Reference: FOI/202200305738
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the "Independence in the Modern World: Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland?" document: FOI release

The cost of producing the following document: “Independence in the Modern World: Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland?”. Please can you provide me with the total cost of producing this document. Please provide a breakdown and include the following information The number of FTE staff working on the report The c...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2022-07-18
Reference: FOI/202200305663
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

FOI late responses: 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/EIR not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence s.20 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-18
Reference: FOI/202200306899
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Slowest FOI responses: FOI release

The top 3 slowest FOI responses 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 released 100 score 19 working days correspondence s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-18
Reference: FOI/202200306901
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Independence in the Modern World white paper: FOI release

Independence in the Modern World White paper I note the above White Paper has this week been published. Earlier this year, I recall reading that a team of 11 civil servants were working on the independence blueprint. I presume this document is the first result of their work. Can you tell me please (a) the current size ...

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

Published: 2022-07-18
Reference: FOI/202200306420
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Breakdown of legal advice provided to Ministers: FOI release

The number of times [not the actual advice] that the Law Officers of the Scots Govt have published [i.e. made publicly available ] formal legal advice given to Ministers acting for the SCOTTISH GOVT on any particular matter that has arisen & publicly released since the inception of Devolved Govt in Scotland ? Corollary...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.36 s.29(1) s.12

Published: 2022-06-22
Reference: 202200300906
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministers and the Law Officers salary: FOI release

Information relating to Ministerial pay.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-06-22
Reference: FOI/202200276229
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Scottish Budget

The term ‘English Government’ within Scottish Government correspondence: FOI release

Any mention of the term ‘English Government’ within Scottish Government correspondence in the period 6 May 2021 to 3 May 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-06-22
Reference: FOI/202200298309
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Legal advice to Ministers or provided by the Civil Service on the topic of a second independence referendum in 2020: FoI Appeal

"any legal advice to Ministers or provided by the Civil Service on the topic of a second independence referendum in 2020"

FOI partially withheld 90 score 295 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-06-08
Reference: FOI/202100164143
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Resources used to validate potential referendum bill: FOI release

What resources within the government have been used to validate any potential referendum bill?

FOI unclear 50 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence spending

Published: 2022-05-19
Reference: FOI/202200292265
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Scottish Budget

FOI numbers regarding Education and Skills between 1 January to 28 February 2022: FOI release

The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Education and Skills from 1 to 31 January 2022. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Education and Skills from 1 to 28 February 2022. The number of those FOIs cleared by Shirley-Anne Somerville before release/publication. By ...

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2022-05-05
Reference: FOI/202200286790
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Education, Public sector

Preparations and costs of Independence Prospectus: FOI release

In September, the First Minister announced that Scottish Government civil servants would start work on a detailed prospectus for independence (as reported here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland politics-58478187). On 4th November 2021, I submitted a Freedom of Information request which asked for informat...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-05-05
Reference: FOI/202200283353
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector