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

4,905 matching releases

Football World Cup bank holiday proposal information: FOI release

The content of all emails, briefings and reports regarding the First Minister's proposal for a new bank holiday to commemorate Scotland's opening match in this year's football World Cup. Please provide any assessment of the economic impact of having another bank holiday and how many employers would give their staff th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202600500265
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Community Wind Power correspondence: FOI release

Could I please have sight of all correspondence between Kate Forbes/the office of Kate Forbes, as Cabinet Secretary and DFM, and the organisation Community Wind Power? Could I further have any correspondence from or to Ms Forbes that relates to Prestwick Airport? Finally, could I have sight of any correspondence betw...

FOI already published 80 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.12 8 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500494292
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Reduction of public sector workforce risks registers and progress: FOI release

“All risk registers and progress updates held by the Scottish Government, in relation to Shona Robison’s promise to reduce the public sector workforce by an average of 0.5% every year, from the last month.”

FOI already published 80 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496119
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Non- Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020: FOI release

You asked for copies of all recorded communications between Scottish Government Ministers and officials during August 2025 that relate to concerns about the legislative competence of the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020. This includes emails, submissions, briefings, notes of meetings, and any other recorded corre...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496157
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Plans for proactive publication of relevant data and ongoing communications plans information: FOI release

“Under The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, I request sight of;" 1. "All information held about 'plans for proactive publication of relevant data" 2. "All information held about 'ongoing comms plans"

FOI already published 80 score 17 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496088
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Non-Domestic Rates (Liability for Unoccupied Properties) (Scotland) Bill correspondence: FOI release

1. The correspondence that first informed the Scottish Government about the drafting error with the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020 which pointed out that the amendments made by the 2020 Act to devolve Empty Property Relief had not had the intended legal effect. 2. All correspondence between relevant Scottish G...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.33(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495336
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Agricultural payments computerised system information: FOI release

1. Could you outline what action has been taken in the last three months in relation to updating the computerised system which deals with agricultural payments? 2. Please can you share any correspondence sent to Jim Fairlie, in the last three months, relating to the computerised programme dealing with agricultural pay...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence briefings spending s.38(1) s.3 s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495822
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Deputy Director of Justice emails regarding Emergency Early Release (EER) scheme: FOI release

You initially requested: “Please provide copies of all emails sent by the Deputy Director responsible for the Emergency Early Release scheme during the week of Sept 1 -7 where the subject line or body contains any of the following terms: “early release” “EER” “release scheme””

FOI clarification 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495089
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fiscal Commission regarding the distribution of Scottish taxpayers by income bands: FOI release

The period 22nd October 2025 – 1st December 2025, all correspondence and notes of phone calls or meetings between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fiscal Commission which discussed the distribution of Scottish taxpayers by income bands in the financial years 2023-24, 2024-25, or 2025-26.

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

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496238
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Meetings held with Dundee University in 2025: FOI release

How many meetings has a Scottish Government Minister held with Dundee University in 2025, and could you supply all minutes/notes from these meetings? Could you supply all meeting requests made by Dundee Uni as well in 2025, and whether these were accepted or rejected? Your request refers to meetings with ‘Dundee Unive...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.33(1) s.33 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495821
Directorate: Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

List of late Freedom of Information response cases: FOI release

From FOI 202500490388: For release PDF - List of late cases - August 2025 - Redacted.pdf For release PDF - List of late cases - August 21.08 - Redacted.pdf Under The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, I request sight of: 1. The LIST OF LATE CASES - September 2025

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496639
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government correspondence regarding the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government and the office of the First Minister regarding the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020. Information should include but ...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495526
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

List of late response cases: FOI release

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496640
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Business Gateway funding communications: FOI release

Copies of any recorded communications to or from Ministers concerning Business Gateway funding from the past six months. This includes emails, letters, briefings, and any other recorded correspondence held on Scottish Government systems.

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

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496349
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Money and tax, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Brussels trip documentation: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation seen by John Swinney or his office about Angela Constance's trip to Brussels on November 19? When was John Swinney made aware of Ms Constance heading to Brussels on that date? Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and receive...

FOI cost limit 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495530
Directorate: EU Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Scottish Forestry gender and specific demographic groups queries: FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information Act (Scotland) Act 2002, I would like to request the following information held by you: 1. What your organisation understands the word ‘woman’[1] to denote. 2. What your organisation understands the terms: lesbian, bisexual and gay to denote? 3. Actions that you have carried out for ...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.7 s.17(1) s.25(1) s.25 s.38(1) s.33(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202600501731
Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Data Protection complaints procedure and Warmer Homes Scotland programme Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA): FOI release

The Scottish Government’s documented process, policy, or procedure for receiving, assessing,and responding to data-protection complaints, given that these are not handled under the MCHP complaints procedure. The Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) for the Warmer Homes Scotland programme. If no DPIA exists, please ...

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

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495647
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Senior Constitution Special Adviser communications: FOI release

All recorded communications sent to or from Senior Constitution Special Adviser Ewan Crawford during the period 24 November 2025 to 30 November 2025 inclusive. This includes emails, letters, briefing material, and messages held on Scottish Government systems.

FOI already published 80 score 15 working days correspondence special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.25 s.27(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496219
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Institute for Fiscal Studies and Barnett Formula documentation: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, analysis and briefings, which mentions or is to/from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, from the last month? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.28(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.30B s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495977
Directorate: Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Special Adviser to the First Minister communications: FOI release

All recorded communications sent to or from Senior Special Adviser David Hutchison during the period 24 November 2025 to 30 November 2025 inclusive. This includes emails, letters, briefing material, and messages held on Scottish Government systems.

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.28(1) s.28 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496223
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture meeting with Swiss Ambassador: FOI release

You asked for a record of the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture's meeting with Dominique Paravicini in October 2025.

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

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496279
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, International, Public sector

Social Security Scotland Benefit payment statistics: FOI release

Request for information 1: Confirm the number of additional benefits paid to recipients of Adult Disability Payment (ADP) for the period 2024/25. For example, the number of ADP recipients who also received Scottish Child Payment, Winter Heating Payment or any other Social Security Scotland benefit. Request for inform...

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

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496534
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Copies of concern regarding Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020: FOI release

1. The first recorded concern identified within the Scottish Government regarding the legislative competence of the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020. 2. The initial recorded communications between officials relating to this concern, including any recorded consideration of whether ministers should be notified.'

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.29(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496147
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Correspondence sent to Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Minister for Victims and Community Safety regarding prisons: FOI release

Internal briefings, submissions, or update notes sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, or DG Justice between Sept 1 to Oct 1, 2025, which warn about: unsafe or deteriorating prison conditions prisons assessed as “end-of-life” major maintenance failures the impact of over...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500495798
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Details of the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy's visit to COP 30: FOI release

1. A list of individuals the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy and/or her officials met with at COP 30. 2. Any briefings provided to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy ahead of her visit to COP 30. 3. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsAp...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.32 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500494736
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, International, Public sector