Scottish Government FOI Index

10,099releases indexed

17,806attachments found

28.1avg calendar days

4,062partially withheld

2023-11-23oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 4,062 unclear 2,725 not held 1,538 released 733 already published 388 cost limit 353 clarification 156 withheld 113 transferred 31

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 2659 s.20 2169 s.34(1) 1999 s.39(2) 1766 s.30 1632 s.17(1) 1340 s.25(1) 1226 s.10(4) 1093 s.11(2) 886 s.29(1) 663 s.2 568 s.6(1) 450

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 641 releases · 28.0 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 590 releases · 28.5 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 408 releases · 29.0 avg days Marine Directorate 377 releases · 26.7 avg days Population Health Directorate 371 releases · 25.8 avg days Economic Development Directorate 308 releases · 39.5 avg days People Directorate 307 releases · 24.2 avg days Environment and Forestry Directorate 294 releases · 32.2 avg days

Clear

156 matching releases

Concerns on procurement process fairness: FOI release

1. Pricing and delivery fairness: Our core question regarding the delivery-based pricing and resource engagement plan was omitted entirely. This was a fundamental issue — the scoring method required bidders to build a cost plan for a “typical” time-bound project with no defined complexity. This inherently advantaged th...

FOI clarification 55 score 15 working days correspondence briefings contracts spending s.20

Published: 2026-01-26
Reference: FOI/202500491552
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister's visit to Malawi and Zambia information: FOI release

Information in relation to the First Minister's recent visit to Malawi and Zambia, specifically: A clarification on how this visit adheres to the Scottish Ministerial Code A breakdown of costs of this visit Rationale for undertaking this visit

FOI clarification 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2026-01-26
Reference: FOI/202500489496
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

South Lanarkshire Council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) obligations: FOI release

1. SEA requirements for SHIP Is a Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) considered a qualifying plan under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, particularly when it introduces new land-use proposals not previously assessed in the LHS SEA? 2. Public Rights and Remedies What recourse does a member of t...

FOI clarification 55 score 15 working days correspondence s.4

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500488766
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Aircraft contrails and Solar Radiation Management (SRM) information: EIR release

You asked for: “A full explanation of what these persistent trails are and who is responsible.” “Confirmation of whether any form of aerosol spraying, geoengineering, or atmospheric modification is taking place in Scottish or UK airspace.” “Clarification on which agencies or government departments are overseeing or ...

FOI/EIR clarification 55 score 18 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: EIR/202500486271
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector, Transport

Landlord registration statistics (2007–present): FOI release

"Request for landlord registration statistics (2007–present) I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. I have previously obtained data on the number of active PRS landlord registrations and the number of registered PRS properties in Scotland at year-end from December to...

FOI clarification 75 score 16 working days correspondence 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500486687
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Meetings between Scottish Government Ministers and Petroineos, PetroChina and INEOS minutes and materials: EIR release

I am requesting an un-redacted version of the minutes previously released here under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations: Since the refinery in question has now closed, any commercial confidentiality has expired, and there is public interest in accessing the complete version of these minutes. Please r...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-29
Reference: FOI/202500481403
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Woodland creation grant applications for postcode area IV24 3BW: EIR release

Any information held concerning grant applications for woodland creation in the postcode area IV24 3BW between January 1 2017 and todays date (August 25 2025). Thank you for providing further clarification on the scope of your request, which I received from you on 30 August: Thank you for your response. By way of cla...

FOI/EIR clarification 55 score 20 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2)

Published: 2025-12-23
Reference: EIR/202500481955
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Scottish Forestry information on Todrig woodland creation scheme: EIR release

In respect of the Todrig Woodland creation scheme (25FGS84239), please could Scottish Forestry provide information in respect of the following: 1. A copy of the contract (or draft contract) for Todrig woodland creation scheme, even though this has not been signed. 2. How much is the total value of the grant that may ...

FOI/EIR clarification 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings contracts spending s.8 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11 s.10 s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(5)

Published: 2025-12-09
Reference: EIR/202500482837
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Cyber Security incident response contracts: FOI release

I'd like to make a request for information in relation to your cyber security contracts. In particular: When was the NCC Incident Response contract awarded? What is the scope of the contract? After what procurement or fair competition process was this contract awarded? What is the value and length of the contract? An...

FOI clarification 55 score 14 working days correspondence contracts spending s.30

Published: 2025-12-09
Reference: FOI/202500482193
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Mey Battery Energy Storage System correspondence: EIR release

I request disclosure of the following in relation to application reference ECU00004838 (Mey Battery Energy Storage System): 1. All internal correspondence, emails, meeting notes, and file records held by the Energy Consents Unit, Scottish Government officials, or Ministers regarding the classification of the applicant...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.25 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.6(1)B s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-08
Reference: EIR/202500482352
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Scottish Forestry investigation of felling at Dalbuaick Plantation queries: EIR release

A) Confirmation that a formal Scottish Forestry investigation of felling at Dalbuaick Plantation took place in 2024. B) Details of how and when the Scottish Forestry investigation was conducted. C) Confirmation that the investigation was triggered by CNPA’s notification to Scottish Forestry of felling activity on the...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 19 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.11(1) 10 attachments

Published: 2025-11-18
Reference: EIR/202500480448
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Southern Trench Marine Protected Area (MPA) queries: EIR release

Thank you for your response dated 6 August 2025 regarding the Southern Trench MPA assessment in relation to the Stromar Offshore Wind Farm. I appreciate your time in addressing my concerns. However, I would like to respectfully follow up and seek further clarification on several critical points: 1. Regulatory Basis f...

FOI/EIR clarification 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.36 s.6 s.5 s.12 s.83

Published: 2025-11-06
Reference: EIR/202500479167
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Education Scotland policy reviews since UK Supreme Court decision: FOI Review

Original Request: 202500472710 Following the 2024 UK Supreme Court ruling in R (on the application of For Women Scotland) v Scottish Ministers, the legal definition of “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 has been confirmed to mean biological sex. This clarification has significant implications for education policy, safegua...

FOI clarification 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2025-11-05
Reference: FOI/202500478087 Review of 202500472710
Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

West of Orkney Wind farm meeting information: EIR release

1. All diary entries, meeting records, briefing notes and attendee lists for any meetings (formal or informal), from 1 June 2023 to 30 June 2025, involving Gillian Martin MSP (including while she was Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy / Minister for Climate Action / Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action an...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-04
Reference: EIR/202500478286
Directorate: Offshore Wind Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Subscriptions to paid Artificial Intelligence (AI) services: FOI Review

Original Request 202500472238 1.Whether any Scottish Government departments or agencies (or Scottish Parliament, if sending to them) currently hold or have previously held subscriptions to paid AI services, including but not limited to OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus, ChatGPT Enterprise, Microsoft Copilot, or comparable generat...

FOI clarification 80 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500477145 Review of 202500472238
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Population and advice on herring gulls and black backed gulls: EIR release

1. ‘Health Risks I would be grateful to view all documents comprising any analysis or other consideration of the health risks to humans posed by gulls, including risk of falls from swooping attacks, risks of ingestion of gull droppings, risks of respiratory and water based infections, including Histoplasmosis, Cryptoc...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500474601
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Meetings between Head of Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) and Salmon aquaculture companies: EIR release

Dates, agendas and minutes of all direct meetings (in person and remote) between the Head of the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) and senior personnel of Salmon Scotland or any of the salmon aquaculture companies operating in Scotland during the period 01 January 2022 to 26 July 2025. Direct meetings can include other i...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500477584
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Todrig Woodland Creation: EIR Review

Original Request 202500470702 What I'm after are details of the EIA screening opinion application and the woodland creation application that was subsequently submitted. According to the EIA Register the screening opinion that I understand was provided on 23 December 2024 concludes that 'Consent Not Required'. The Woo...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.20 s.6 s.10 s.11 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-22
Reference: FOI/202500476029 Review of 202500470702
Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Soil and water sampling in wind farm planning appeals: EIR release

I request "all recorded" information held by the Scottish Ministers concerning any soil and/or water sampling conducted in relation to wind farm developments that have been commissioned by Scottish Ministers or Reporters for Public Local Inquiry's, and been subject to: 1. Ministerial appeal processes, including Sectio...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.36 s.37 s.9 s.10(4) s.10 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-16
Reference: EIR/202500473933
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Building, planning and design, Energy, Environment and climate change, +1 more … Public sector

Correspondence with Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) regarding Stromar Offshore Wind Farm: EIR release

1. Copies of any invitations, correspondence, or meeting records sent to or received from RSPB regarding the Stromar Offshore Wind Farm during the scoping consultation process. 2. Clarification of whether RSPB was formally consulted on the onshore aspects of the project (e.g. cable route, landfall, or terrestrial SSSI...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.2 s.3 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-16
Reference: FOI/202500474009
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Blue Badge scheme “risk in traffic” eligibility criterion information: FOI release

Information in relation to the Blue Badge scheme in Scotland, specifically the “risk in traffic” eligibility criterion introduced via the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2016 (SSI 2016/72).

FOI clarification 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-09-30
Reference: FOI/202500477280
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Freedom of Information (FOI) statistics: FOI release

1) The total number of FOI responses issued by the Scottish Government. 2) The number of FOI responses that were referred to a Special Adviser for review or comment prior to release. 3) The number of FOI responses that were referred for Ministerial approval or sign-off prior to release. 4) If recorded, the number of...

FOI/EIR clarification 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.12

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500471350
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial travel costs: FOI release

You asked for the Cabinet expenditure on First Class Travel / Business Travel by Air / Rail or other means, the number of tickets purchased and any onward travel costs (not associated with Parliament business), and for this to be provided for each Parliament term. You clarified on 6 June that you were interested in Fi...

FOI clarification 55 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.27(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-09-24
Reference: FOI/202500468954
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Planning timescales for energy infrastructure consenting: EIR release

“How long has it taken the Scottish Government to respond to statutory consultations to do with electricity infrastructure consenting? Please provide timescales for all projects undertaken in the past 3 years and an average.” With a later clarification of: “The purpose of the FOI is to get a better idea of planning t...

FOI/EIR clarification 55 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.36 s.37 s.8(1) s.10(4)

Published: 2025-09-23
Reference: FOI/202500465271
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Lost Forest Planting Phase 1 at Kinrara: EIR release

If I can ask for one clarification, in EIR response 2023/00390478 dated 22 February 2024 under payments for Phase I of the Lost Forest it was stated "To date the applicant has claimed for the fencing elements and also for the initial planting phase. This equates to £690986.90." Now I appreciate BrewDog claiming the mo...

FOI/EIR clarification 55 score 17 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2)

Published: 2025-09-16
Reference: EIR/202500464135
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector