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

2,922 matching releases

Shoplifting cases recorded in Scotland since 2019: FOI release

You asked for the total number of shoplifting cases recorded in Scotland, broken down by i) regional policing division, ii) the number of those cases that were closed without a suspect being identified, and iii) the number of cases that resulted in a charge or summons, for each year since 2019.

FOI released 75 score 17 working days correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2025-04-22
Reference: FOI/202500454372
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Social Security Scotland cost on translation and interpreting services: FOI release

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 regarding the awarded contract https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx? ID=JUL510747. I would appreciate information on the following points: Request for information 1: Could you provide a breakdow...

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

Published: 2025-04-22
Reference: FOI/202500454410
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government Internal Audit information: FOI release

How many internal audits/reviews were conducted on the efficiency of spending in each government directorate in each year from 2007-2025? How much wasteful spending was identified in each government directorate by those internal audits/reviews in each of those years?

FOI unclear 55 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-04-16
Reference: FOI/202500452861
Directorate: Internal Audit and Assurance Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information regarding handling of Freedom of Information response 202400443239: FOI release

1) On page 15 Ashleigh Gray emails someone whose name is redacted. Given that the information in the email clearly indicates that the person Ms Gray emailed is Leslie Evans, former permanent secretary to the Scottish Government, why did the Scottish Government redact Ms Evan's name in the email given that she was the f...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-04-16
Reference: FOI/202500453205
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Social Security Scotland and Secretary of State (DWP) information sharing agreements: FOI release

Section 34 of the Scotland Act 2016 does give Social Security Scotland the power to request information from the DWP. This section deals with the sharing of information between the UK government and the Scottish government in relation to social security functions. Specifically, it states that: Information held by the...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.34 s.30 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-04-16
Reference: FOI/202500453728
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Council tax relief funding information: FOI release

Information regarding council tax relief funding for the 2025 - 2026 financial year: 1. Allocation Breakdown: A detailed breakdown of the exact amount allocated by the Scottish Government to each of Scotland's 32 local authorities for council tax relief. 2. Supporting Documentation: Copies of any official documentati...

FOI already published 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.4 s.25(1) s.5 s.1 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-04-10
Reference: FOI/202500453366
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Short term lets licensing documentation and affordable housing funding pledge: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government about the changes to the shortterm lets licensing rules in October 2023, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings, minutes/notes from meetings, analysis, from the last three months? 2. Could you supply all analysis ...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.25 6 attachments

Published: 2025-04-09
Reference: FOI/202500453114
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Measurement of staff performance used by Scottish Ministers: FOI release

1. An account of the measures available to Scottish Ministers if they are unsatisfied with the performance, conduct, or capacity of officials. 2. For each of these measures, by year from 2015 to present, a count of the number of times they were used.

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.21(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-04-09
Reference: FOI/202500453638
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government remote working information: FOI release

1. Does the Scottish Government make any assessment of the number of employees that work from home? Please provide this for each year since 2019-20. 2. In each year since 2019-20, how much has the Scottish Government spent on remote working equipment. (e.g. monitors, keyboards, chairs etc)?

FOI not held 45 score 8 working days correspondence s.17(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2025-04-09
Reference: FOI/202500455970
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Details of First Minister's meeting with the Speaker of Lok Sabha, India: FOI release

Your request relates to the meeting between John Swinney, the First Minister of Scotland and Om Birla, Speaker of Lok Sabha, India on 8 January 2025. In your request you specifically asked for the following: - A full list of attendees, including the full names and titles of each attendee, as well as who each attendee ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.32(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.27(1) s.3 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-04-09
Reference: FOI/202500453156
Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Horizon Post Office system: FOI release

1. All briefings prepared ahead of Angela Constance's appearance at Holyrood on Tuesday 9 January to discuss the Horizon Post Office scandal? 2. Why did Lord Advocate not speak about Horizon that day? 3. All correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Crown Office/Lord Advocate regarding Horizon between De...

FOI withheld 80 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.2 s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-04-08
Reference: FOI/202400393692
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Health care for transgender individuals queries: FOI release

1 - a copy of all equality impact assessments related to any policies or strategies related to or impacting health care for transgender individuals in the last 10 years. If there are not EQIAs available for all these policies, please provide any explanations as to why it was not carried out for any policies that are av...

FOI cost limit 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.12 s.17(1) s.25(1) s.30

Published: 2025-03-28
Reference: FOI/202500453110
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Chief Executive of Social Security Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice correspondence: FOI release

1. All correspondence between Shirley-Anne Sommerville and David Wallace – Chief Executive of Social Security Scotland since July 2024. 2. All correspondence between Shirley-Anne Sommerville and David Wallace – Chief Executive of Social Security Scotland mention the “the two child cap” since July 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-28
Reference: FOI/202500455135
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government hybrid working policy: FOI release

How many days are Scottish Government employees mandated to work in the office per week? I think that U.K. civil service is three days minimum per week but I may be wrong. What is the average number of days Scottish Government employees are working in the office per week in the most recent monitoring period?

FOI not held 45 score 9 working days correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500454874
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Social Security Scotland staff disciplinary action statistics: FOI release

The number of Social Security Scotland employees who have received disciplinary action since its creation in 2018.

FOI unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence meetings s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500453734
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector, Work and skills

Free period product provision in prisons and secure care centres: FOI release

Are free products available within prison settings and secure care units across Scotland, if so how are these products accessed and is data on how utilised these are captured? If not, is this a policy decision to not provide this? When responding to your request, I have interpreted “prison settings” to mean prisons in...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500453365
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Gender Recognition Reform Bill costs: FOI release

(a) Since 1 November 2023, what is the total cost to the Scottish Government of any work or legal advice relating to the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill? (If possible, could you break down any costs). (b) Could you share any correspondence: to the UK Government from the First Minister or Kaukab Stewart, rela...

FOI transferred 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.35 s.27(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500452867
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Green Volt Project correspondence: FOI release

1) Which Special Advisers or Ministers signed off or approved the Environmental Information Response and the attachments to the response which was given the reference number 202400434817? 2) The full email threads which discussed the initial draft freedom of information/environmental information response and attachmen...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.17(1) s.15 s.38 s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: FOI/202500450751
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Energy, Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Spend on photography for the First Minister: FOI release

How much money has been spent on a photographer/photography for the First Minister in each of the last three years, with a breakdown per year and per payments.

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: FOI/202500451640
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cost of the Children (Scotland) Bill: FOI release

The total costs of the Children (Scotland) Bill (the Bill) from 2018 to conclusion in 2020. You have asked for these costs to include ‘the works performed in preparations by the Family Law Department including during the consultation period, justice committee support and full parliamentary amendment meetings’, as well...

FOI released 100 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: FOI/202500452355
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Independent consultant involvement in the Health and Wellbeing Census: FOI release

A range of questions on independent consultant involvement in the Health and Wellbeing Census.

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.17(1) s.2 s.3 s.5

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: FOI/202500452829
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Legal advice given to the Scottish Government/ministers in reference to The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

Within the legal advice published by the Scottish Government on the 26th of October 2024, in response to FOI 202400394394, on page 69 the following passage exists: "Thus REDACTED, request that Mr Hamilton be permitted to engage independent legal advice and charge the costs to the Scottish Government was set out in an ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 36 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.12 s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400438168
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Queries regarding access to secretariat members email accounts: FOI Review

Original request 202400444352 In the court of session ruling from case XA10/23, the court ruling states: "In this connection it is notable that in their written submissions the Ministers accept that they (or their officials) could gain access to the information. They acknowledge that some of the email accounts of sec...

FOI withheld 80 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.21(4) s.38(1) s.36(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500449874 Review of 202400444352
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Special Adviser involvement in James Hamilton QC's report on the Ministerial Code: FOI Review

Original request 202400446131 1) I am aware through previous FOI requests and written answers in parliament (S6W-25078), that the Scottish Government has confirmed that four civil servants were "involved in the process of deciding" what parts of the report to redact. To be clear was there any SPAD involvement in a non...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452219 Review of 202400446131
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Queries regarding information provided to the Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

1) Has or did the Scottish Government order any kind of internal review and/or investigation as a result of the discovery that it had misled the SIC? 2) I request a copy of any report or communications surrounding such internal review and/or investigation. 3) Has anyone within the Scottish Government been dismissed o...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452202
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector