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

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

Citizens’ Assembly for the purposes of FOISA correspondence: FOI release

You asked: I have been informed by the Citizens Assembly that they are outside the scope of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. This is an extremely concerning state of affairs. I will be obliged if you would provide all information held by the Scottish Government that discusses the status of the Citizens’...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2019-12-30
Reference: FOI/201900007851
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Citizens Assembly recruitment of members document questions: FOI release

Referring to the following Scottish Government document: "Recruitment of members to the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland: Specification of Requirements (schedule 1)." Revised Version (3 July 2019) and with regard to the following numbered sections of this document, I will be obliged if you will provide all information he...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence meetings s.27(1) s.38(1) 30 attachments

Published: 2019-12-23
Reference: FOI/201900007839
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence concerning what question should be used in a future independence referendum: FOI release

You asked for: A copy of all evidence and internal Scottish Government and Ministerial communications relating to the research and evidence that has been used to support the Cabinet Secretary's claim that the majority of people agree the same question should be used in a future independence referendum.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2019-12-06
Reference: FOI/201900006184
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, 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

Various questions concerning the Citizens’ Assembly: FOI release

Provide the following information (all information provided in this section must be pre-existing at the date of this request): 1. A copy of any / all documentation required to be signed by the citizens. 2. All instructions and guidance provided to Mark Diffley or his company regarding the selection of citizens. 3. All ...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts s.2 s.3 s.4 s.1 s.17(1) s.6 s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2019-11-26
Reference: FOI/201900005919
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Developers appealed planning decisions with local council questions: EIR release

1. How many times have developers appealed planning decisions by local councils to the Scottish Government, since 1999? Please break down your response by council area, and calendar year. 2. How many times, again broken down by council area and by year, has the Scottish Government ruled in favour of developers appeali...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2019-11-15
Reference: FOI/19/02196
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

Freedom of Information Unit staff details and publications: FOI release

You asked for; 1. Do you have a dedicated staff team or department to deal with FoI requests? 2. If yes, does this staff team also: a. Deal with environmental information requests? Yes/No b. Deal with data protection and GDPR? Yes/No 3. How many members of staff (Full/Whole Time Equivalent), currently (latest availa...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 17 working days correspondence spending s.5 s.7 s.38(1) s.11 s.17(1)

Published: 2019-11-15
Reference: FOI/201900005523
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

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

Meta data for FOI requests 19/00076,77,78,00118 and 00682: FOI release

Regarding all of my FOISA requests tabled since January 1 2019 and up to and including the date of request, please provide all examples of clearance, including emails and the content of attachments in emails.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.25(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2019-10-17
Reference: FOI/201900004219
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

FOI requests during 2018 and organisations: FOI release

You asked for "I would like to establish the volume of FOI Requests during 2018 and the source company, individual (if public record) or organisation of each request. Could this be provided in an Excel format? Related to this, I would like the Scottish Government to advise of the estimated cost of the resources to han...

FOI not held 70 score 14 working days correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2019-10-08
Reference: FOI/201900004261
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Documents provided to ministers on topic of second independence referendum: FOI appeal

Details of any briefings by civil servants or documents provided to ministers in 2017 or 2018 on the topic of a second independence referendum.

FOI released 95 score 215 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings 2 attachments

Published: 2019-09-25
Reference: FOI/18/02260 Appeal
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Information Commissioner decision 121/2019 and FoI/18/02260 correspondence: FOI release

You asked for “Any correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, documents or otherwise) since August 2018 on the topic of FoI/18/02260 and/or the Scottish Information Commissioner decision 121/2019 between any of the following people: Scottish Government Ministers, spec...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.47(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2019-09-20
Reference: FOI/201900003579
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

"Prerogative Powers" bestowed upon Scottish Ministers: FOI release

You asked the Scottish Government to confirm: What "Prerogative Powers" are bestowed upon Scottish Ministers? What "Prerogative Powers" have been used by Scottish Ministers in the previous ten fiscal periods? The exact date when the last "Prerogative Powers" were used by Scottish Ministers, and in what context was it ...

FOI transferred 75 score 10 working days correspondence ministers spending 2 attachments

Published: 2019-07-16
Reference: FOI/19/01567
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence with Scottish Parliament - potential breach of Scottish Ministerial Code: FOI release

You asked for: Written correspondence to the Scottish Executive/Scottish Government/First Minister from Members of the Scottish Parliament reporting concern of a potential breach of Section 3 of the Scottish Ministerial Code, relating to ‘Ministers and the Scottish Parliament’ from, 1999 – present; and Written corre...

FOI released 100 score 12 working days correspondence ministers s.3 2 attachments

Published: 2019-07-09
Reference: FOI/19/01560
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Material relating to FOI Appeal on request FOI/201900000117: FOI release

You asked for; all correspondence, information contained in discussions and all material supplied by Scottish Government to the Scottish Information Commissioner in relation to his relating to request “Independent Scrutiny of Inter Agency Decision Ref 092/2019.

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.47(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2019-07-04
Reference: FOI/201900001987
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

Hoolan Energy and Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) correspondence: EIR release

Under the Freedom of Information act, can you provide me with all documents/emails and records of correspondence between Lizzie Foot and Tom Campbell from Hoolan Energy and the DPEA, the case officer Scott Mackenzie and the reporter Malcolm Mahony please.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence s.20 s.39(2)

Published: 2019-05-21
Reference: FOI/19/01165
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

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

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 not held 70 score 7 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.1(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2019-04-09
Reference: FOI/19/00669 Review
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Meetings or communications regarding currency: FOI release

1. Any correspondence (letters, emails, minutes, call logs or otherwise) to/from Derek Mackay, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance that contain the terms: ‘new currency’; ‘Scottish pound’; ‘euro’; ‘currency union’, over a period from September 2018 to present. 2. Any correspondence (letters, emails, minutes, call logs o...

FOI cost limit 70 score 14 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.38(1) s.30 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2019-04-05
Reference: FOI/19/00752
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

First Minister’s correspondence regarding Sustainable Growth Commission: FOI release

Any correspondence received or sent by the First Minister regarding the SNP’s ‘Sustainable Growth Commission’ since May 2018.

FOI already published 80 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2019-04-05
Reference: FOI/19/00753
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

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

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

Public Interest Test used in Freedom of Information requests: FOI review

For the last 500 responses (see note 1) to Freedom of Information requests issued by the Scottish Government please: (A) State the total number of times the Public Interest Test was used. (B) Summarise in a table the total number of times the Public Interest Test was used by FOISA qualified exemption category (an exe...

FOI not held 45 score 7 working days correspondence s.30 s.17(1) s.15 s.15(1)

Published: 2019-03-20
Reference: FOI/19/00558 Review
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector