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

702 matching releases

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

State pension and benefit payment responsibilities: FOI release

1. The source content and date of the secret cabinet briefing paper from John Swinney Finance Secretary (at the time) that was subsequently leaked. 2. Since 1 January 2012, any briefing papers, communications etc that clarified or otherwise that Scotland, if independent, would be responsible for the payment of pensions...

FOI not held 70 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.3 s.29(1) s.30 s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2022-04-07
Reference: FOI/202200281407
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparations for a future independence referendum: FOI release

1. How many hours are being used each week/month by Scottish Government civil servants working on preparations for an independence referendum and on preparation for independence? 2. What is the cost in salaries per week/month of this work? 3. Which departments of the Scottish Government has each individual civil servan...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1)

Published: 2022-03-24
Reference: FOI/202200281545
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Independence referendum Section 30 order: FOI release

Since the independence referendum in 2014, the dates that the Scottish Government has formally requested a Section 30 order to allow them the power to hold an independence referendum on the subject of Scotland becoming an independent country.

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30

Published: 2022-03-23
Reference: FOI/202200280916
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding preparation of prospectus for an independent Scotland: FOI Review

Your original request asked for: 1) The number of full time equivalent staff in the Scottish Government who are currently, or are planned to begin work on the "prospectus for an independent Scotland", as mentioned in the Programme for Government on September 7. 2) Any internal correspondence sent from or to the First M...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.20(5) s.20(6) s.17 s.30 s.38 s.34(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-10
Reference: FOI/202200270532 Review of 202100239831
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparations for referendum on Scottish independence: FOI release

What level of resource is the Scottish Government providing for referendum and independence planning, communications and public engagement during 2022 and 2023? Please include specific information on: Number of Scottish Government officials (full-time equivalent), job grades and cost; Freelance, Legal and Consultancy ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2022-03-09
Reference: FOI/202200278056
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Lord Advocate Scottish Cabinet meetings attendance dates: FOI release

1. "Please list all the dates when the current Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain QC, attended Scottish Government Cabinet. Please provide this information from 6 May 2021 to the present date." 2. "When the Lord Advocate has attended Cabinet, the Cabinet’s agenda for that meeting as well as the reason the Lord Advocate was in...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30

Published: 2022-03-03
Reference: FOI/202200276393
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparations for a second independence referendum: FOI release

Please may you provide me with: The name of the unit within the Scottish Government working on preparations for a second independence referendum. The budget allocated to the unit for the rest of the parliamentary term, and if possible, could this be broken down by year. The date on which the unit was established. How ...

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

Published: 2022-03-01
Reference: FOI/202200275282
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet meeting attendance statistics: 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 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings

Published: 2022-03-01
Reference: FOI/202200276397
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector