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

2,763 matching releases

Clarification on Scottish Government correspondence response times: FOI release

I refer to your letter of 11 July 2025 in connection with my FOI request (your reference: 202500470931). In that letter, you state: "Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, we are normally required to respond within 20 working days. However, due to the volume and complexity of the information requested a...

FOI clarification 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.10(1) s.1(3) s.10(2) s.10(3) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-19
Reference: FOI/202500475608
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Statutory Instruments and EU directives list: FOI release

1) A full list of Scottish Statutory Instruments that imposed an obligation on businesses operating in Scotland since 1 May 2007. As an example, The Alcohol (Minimum Price per Unit) (Scotland) Order 2018 placed an obligation regarding the minimum unit price of alcohol. Please provide a full list of the SSIs imposing an...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-18
Reference: FOI/202500474162
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Short Life Working Group queries: FOI release

1. How long does the Scottish Government expect the Short Life Working Group relating to the For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers judgement to be in operation for? 2. Can you confirm how many civil servants are involved in the working group? 3. What action has this group so far taken? 4. Any correspondenc...

FOI cost limit 45 score 14 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.12

Published: 2025-08-18
Reference: FOI/202500475508
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Rifle licenses issued in Scotland queries: FOI release

The number of rifle licenses issued in Scotland for the past five years with available data; the calibres of the rifles that were licensed in the same period; and the purpose for which each license was issued for.

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.15 s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-18
Reference: FOI/202500474054
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Meetings held regarding peak rail fares: FOI release

1. The number of meetings that were held by the Scottish Government specifically regarding the scrapping of peak rail fares before the announcement contained within the 6th May Programme for Government. 2. The number of meetings that were held by the Scottish Government specifically regarding the scrapping of peak rai...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.3 s.4 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-14
Reference: FOI/202500471590
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Caledonian System data: FOI release

How many men, as part of sentencing for a Domestic Abuse offence, or other offence with a Domestic Abuse aggravator, were ordered to work the Caledonian System? How many of these men completed their sentence with the system? Please break the response down by local authority area, collecting data from 2014 to 2025.

FOI not held 45 score 10 working days correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-14
Reference: FOI/202500473509
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Lothian Joint Valuation Board communications: FOI release

Please can you provide the number of and communication between yourselves and the Lothian Joint valuation Board on The number of people retiring from age 55: 2024 2025 Total amount of paid out tax free lump sums: 2024 2025 All pension paid to close eligible dependents: 2024 2025 And please can you provide the numbe...

FOI unclear 55 score 6 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-13
Reference: FOI/202500476618
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Public sector

UK Government documentation regarding the "High-level principles of Air Departure Tax" publication: FOI release

All correspondence, meeting minutes and documentation reflecting interactions between the Scottish Government and UK Government which substantiate the following statement of ongoing action: “We are working with the UK Government to design a new Highlands and Islands exemption which will comply with subsidy control requ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.28(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-12
Reference: FOI/202500473295
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence between Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Local Government and Tax Advisory Group regarding income tax decisions: FOI release

1. The time and date when members of the Tax Advisory Group were informed by the income tax decisions taken by the Scottish Government in the 2024-25 Scottish Budget as set out in the Draft Budget published on Tuesday 19th December 2023. 2. All correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Local Government, ...

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

Published: 2025-08-12
Reference: FOI/202500466797
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Non-domestic rates information for various retailers: FOI release

Information on non-domestic rates in relation to the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25 and for a range of specified retailers (ASDA, Scotmid, Keystore, Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Farmfoods, Costco): 1. Address of each retail unit within Aberdeen city limits. 2. Rateable value assigned to each property. 3. Poundage rate ap...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.2 s.11 s.12 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-11
Reference: FOI/202500472652
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Promotion of the Gaelic language costs: FOI release

The cost of promotion of the Gaelic language, including the schools signage on public vehicles and offcourse road signage.

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-11
Reference: FOI/202500472391
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Asylum seeker and refugee evictions from state-contracted housing providers: FOI release

1. Please provide the total number of people with any of the following immigration statuses who have been evicted from accommodation provided by state-contracted housing providers in Scotland from 1 January 2020 to the present: Asylum seeker. Refugee. Person granted humanitarian protection. Person granted leave to ...

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

Published: 2025-08-11
Reference: FOI/202500472266
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Benefit fraud statistics: FOI release

Your request for information 1: How many cases of benefit fraud have been reported to Social Security Scotland in the past five financial years? (Broken down by 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25). Your request for information 2: Of these cases, how much money did victims lose in total? (Broken down by same y...

FOI unclear 55 score 10 working days correspondence s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-06
Reference: FOI/202500473083
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Special Advisers and ChatGPT documentation: FOI release

Any recorded transcripts, logs, outputs, or other documentation of interactions between Scottish Government Special Advisers and ChatGPT or any other large language model (LLM) from January 1, 2025, to June 18, 2025. This includes any saved chats, screenshots, exported files, or other relevant records held by the Scot...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-06
Reference: FOI/202500471620
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister’s Scotland 2050 Conference speech information: FOI release

Any briefings, briefing notes or draft speeches prepared for the First Minister’s Scotland 2050 Conference speech on 17 June 2025. Any email correspondence related to the First Minister’s Scotland 2050 Conference speech on 17 June 2025. The evidence for the First Minister’s statement in his speech that “That is why, li...

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25 s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-08-06
Reference: FOI/202500471428
Directorate: Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Police Pension Scheme Remedy Arrangements and Remedial Service Statements: FOI Review

Original request 202500462587 This FOI request concerns the Scottish Government and SPPA responsibilities around the 2015 Remedy arrangements for police pension schemes, the issue of Remediable Service Statements (RSSs) and the fact that SPPA breached the 31st March statutory deadline to issue RSSs to thousands of pen...

FOI clarification 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500468754 Review of 202500462587
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government staff sick pay calculations: FOI release

1. Are individual's absences calculated using working days or calendar days for the purpose of monitoring against those thresholds? 2. If absences are recorded in working days, how is this reconciled with the use of calendar-day thresholds for entitlement? 3. Are the sick pay entitlement thresholds (6 months in 12 mo...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence s.30 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500469895
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector

McCloud Remedy case processing information: FOI release

1. Copies of any internal policies, guidance, meeting minutes, communications, or briefing notes that relate to the decision-making process on the order of processing cases under the McCloud remedy — particularly why members who retired on ill-health grounds are no longer being prioritised, and now appear to be among t...

FOI cost limit 45 score 14 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending s.12 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500471157
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Public investment and policy on alcohol industry and harm: FOI release

Question 1. Grants, Loans, and Other Financial Support to the Alcohol Industry (2010– Present) For all grants, loans, or financial incentives provided by the Scottish Government or its agencies to alcohol-related companies or trade bodies (e.g. whisky producers, brewers, distillers), please provide: Name of recipient...

FOI cost limit 45 score 8 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.12

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500472919
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Scottish Government building renovations: FOI release

Please provide the total amount that the Scottish Government has spent on renovations and interior decorations to the offices of Scottish Ministers in St Andrews House, Victoria Quay, and Atlantic Quay, broken down into a table to list the offices of each minister and to cover every financial year from 2021-22 to date.

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

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500461363
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

Islands Housing Fund: FOI release

In terms of the £5 million Islands Housing Fund 1. How many homes have been approved since 2016 to date? 2. How many of the total approved homes, found since 2016, have now been completed? 3. How many of those completed homes are currently being lived in? 4. How much of the £5 million Fund is still unused? 5. Can ...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500460703
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Recruitment agency information: FOI release

1. Could you provide the total amount the Scottish government has spent on recruitment agencies for temporary and permanent staff every year from 2019/20 to 2024/25 or to the latest annual figures? 2. Could you provide the total number of staff hired from recruitment agencies every year from 2019/20 to 2024/25 or to t...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500469889
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial employment date information: FOI release

Alasdair Allan MSP left his post as Minister for Energy on 15 June 2025 while Paul McLellan left his post as Minister for Housing on 11 June 2025 – what is the reason for the difference in end dates? Mr Allan’s resignation letter says “I was honoured to be asked to take this interim role, but that I only wanted it to b...

FOI not held 45 score 6 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-04
Reference: FOI/202500471446
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Forestry social media management and social listening platform queries: FOI release

1) Do you use a social media management platform? 2) If so, what tools do you use? 3) What is your annual spend on a Social media management tool? 4) What dates does your contract with your current supplier end (in the format of [month/year])? 5)Do you use a social listening / media monitoring platform? 6) If so, ...

FOI not held 45 score 11 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1) s.17

Published: 2025-08-04
Reference: FOI/202500470456
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Additional Support Needs (ASN) training and resources information: FOI release

1. ASN Training and Professional Learning Please provide details of any Additional Support Needs (ASN) training, professional learning programs, or guidance materials that the Scottish Government has developed, delivered, or endorsed in the past five years. This includes: In-person training sessions Online modules or...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.17(1) s.33(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2025-08-04
Reference: FOI/202500468381
Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector