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

627 matching releases

Criteria for responding to FOI requests: FOI release

1) It is a requirement that SPADs and/or the FM's chief of staff clear FOI responses from civil servants in the FOI unit? 2) How many FOIs were received by the Scottish Government in 2024, and how many of these were cleared by SPADs and/or FM's chief of staff before release? 3) What is the purpose of the following em...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.3 s.12 s.25(1) s.5

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500447375
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

HMP Glasgow information: FOI release

1. The first draft of the letter the Cabinet Secretary for Justice & Home Affairs sent to the Criminal Justice Committee on 5 February 2025 regarding an update on the proposed HMP Glasgow and all subsequent edits, amendments and comments suggested by officials, special advisers and ministers before the final version wa...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 s.33 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-21
Reference: FOI/202500451844
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Scottish Government office equipment spend: FOI release

In each year since 2019-20, including the current year to date, how much has the Scottish Government spent on office equipment. Please break this down into relevant categories like: stationary, furniture, IT equipment etc.

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence meetings contracts spending s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-04
Reference: FOI/202500450646
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Research commissioned by the Scottish Government that has not been published: FOI release

1. A list of all research studies, reports, or reviews commissioned by the Scottish Government since 2019 that have not been published. 2. The total cost of each unpublished study, including payments to external consultants, researchers, or institutions. 3. The reasons why each study was not published.

FOI cost limit 45 score 14 working days correspondence spending s.3 s.12

Published: 2025-02-25
Reference: FOI/202500450715
Directorate: Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic: Public sector

NHS Pension Scheme paid contributions: FOI release

Until October 2023 contributors to the NHS Pension Scheme paid contributions in line with their Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) salary. This could lead to them paying higher contributions than others earning the same as them if their actual salary was in line with a lower contribution band. Please can you share the follow...

FOI cost limit 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending s.4 s.5 s.12 s.1 s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-25
Reference: FOI/202400399171
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Payments made by Social Security Scotland to recipients of the Carers Allowance Supplement who are living permanently abroad: FOI release

Details of payments made by Social Security Scotland to recipients of the Carers Allowance Supplement, who are living permanently abroad. Request for Information 1: How many applications for Carers Allowance Supplement, from applicants based outside of Scotland, have been made since the benefit was introduced in Septe...

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

Published: 2025-02-20
Reference: FOI/202500448722
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence mentioning General Election and Former First Minister: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received, policy plans, minutes/notes from meetings, or briefings, which mention or are correspondence to or from Nicola Sturgeon, from the last 30 days? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish G...

FOI cost limit 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500447997
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Economic performance by Local Authority area: FOI release

1. An account of the information collected, and that has been collected over the past five years, by the Scottish Government, pertaining to measuring economic performance by local authority area or other geographic subdivision set of Scotland. 2. Copies of all reports and datasets from 1 January 2024 to present held b...

FOI cost limit 70 score 15 working days correspondence spending s.12(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500447909
Directorate: Chief Economist Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Documentation regarding homeless deaths in Scotland: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government regarding the winter fuel payment, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings, minutes/notes from meetings, analysis, between November 15 2024 and December 15 2024? Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish...

FOI cost limit 70 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-14
Reference: FOI/202500447098
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Bankruptcy restriction order (BRO) information: FOI release

1. On how many occasions, covering the period 1st October 2013 to the 30th March 2016, have the AiB "liaised closely" with Police Scotland in relation to an ongoing BRO investigation? 2. On how many occasions, covering the period 30th March 2016 to 31st December 2020, have the AiB provided the Crown Office and Procura...

FOI cost limit 45 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.12

Published: 2025-01-29
Reference: FOI/202400445601
Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence on Scottish Government position on pensions in an independent Scotland: FOI release

I refer to the following FOI: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-position-on-pensions-in-an-independent-scotland-foi-release/ It notes “ The Scottish Government will publish full proposals for pensions in an independent Scotland in coming months as part of the ‘Building a New Scotland’ series, to h...

FOI cost limit 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-27
Reference: FOI/202400444508
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Alcohol Focus Scotland correspondence: FOI release

1. Could you supply all analysis written for or by the Scottish Government about the price of alcohol due to a supermarket levy and minimum unit pricing increase? 2. Could you all briefings and documentation held about minimum unit pricing targeting dependent drinkers? 3. Could you supply all correspondence sent betw...

FOI cost limit 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings spending s.25(1) s.12 s.38(1) s.33(1) s.17(1) s.38 4 attachments

Published: 2025-01-27
Reference: FOI/202400444638
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Victim Support Scotland correspondence: FOI release

1. All documentation held by the Scottish Government about HMP Highland cost and delays, including correspondence (internal included) sent and received, minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, and policy analysis, from between November 1 2024 and December 10 2024. 2. All correspondence held between the Scottish Govern...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.38(1) s.30 s.25(1) s.27(1) s.29(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-01-27
Reference: FOI/202400445297
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Legal advice and cost of case against For Women Scotland Ltd: FOI release

- How much has it cost the Scottish Government in total to defend this legal case at the UK Supreme Court? - Please provide/publish the legal advice relating to this case given to the Scottish Government.

FOI cost limit 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.12

Published: 2025-01-21
Reference: FOI/202400443019
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Bankruptcy Restriction Order (BRO) information: FOI release

1. On how many occasions, covering the period 1st December 2013 to 30th March 2016, have the AiB provided the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) with a copy of a court submitted BRO application? 2. On how many occasions, covering the period 1st December 2013 to the present day, have the AiB's legal rep...

FOI cost limit 45 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.12

Published: 2025-01-20
Reference: FOI/202400441584
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Social Security Scotland third party expenditure: FOI release

In the Scottish Government’s Public Bodies’ corporate function microdata as of 2022/23 release here (https://www.gov.scot/publications/public-bodies-corporate-function-data-data-as-at-financial-year-2022-23/), in the ‘Third Party Expenditure’ column, it shows your total third party expenditure is £107,410,000 for 2022/...

FOI cost limit 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.12

Published: 2025-01-20
Reference: FOI/202400441413
Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Foreign aid provided during April 2024: FOI release

1. How many times has Scottish Government officials/ministers visited the East Kilbride FCDO office in the last three years? -Could you supply details from these meetings, including minutes/notes from meetings? 2. How much foreign aid was released by the Scottish Government during April 2024 and could you supply detai...

FOI cost limit 70 score 11 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.12 s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2025-01-20
Reference: FOI/202400443116
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Information regarding Advance Construction Scotland Ltd: FOI release

Information regarding Advance Construction Scotland Ltd (ACS) and all group companies associated with this company in relation to Scottish Government funded work, under freedom of information legislation: 1. How many times has ACS been invited to tender? 2. How many times were ACS successful by being awarded contract...

FOI cost limit 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.12 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-01-17
Reference: FOI/202400439812
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Welsh and Irish Government leader documentation and Former First Minister meeting with Palestinian community correspondence: FOI release

2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence (internal included), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, which mention Mark Drakeford, between December 10 2023 and March 15 2024? 3. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, includi...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 8 attachments

Published: 2025-01-17
Reference: FOI/202400439557
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Payments made to HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland: FOI release

1. Could you supply how much in total has been paid out to Wendy Sinclar-Gieben, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, while she has been in the role, and how much she received for leaving, and a breakdown of these totals? 2. Could you supply any documentation held by your organisation surrounding her resignatio...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending s.25(1) s.38 s.12

Published: 2025-01-17
Reference: FOI/202400440134
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Transport Scotland - ScotRail correspondence: FOI release

1. The Scottish Government promised £200m to cut rail times between north east Scotland and Edinburgh in 2016. How much of this money has been spent and can you supply the latest briefings, correspondence and policy analysis about this from the last year? 2. Could you supply all correspondence between Transport Scotla...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.17(1) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-01-17
Reference: FOI/202400440114
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Higher rate income tax threshold reports: FOI release

1. An account of why the Higher Rate tax threshold is around £7k lower in Scotland than it is in the rest of the UK. 2. Copies of all reports, internal and external, prepared for or otherwise presented to Scottish Ministers which focus on the Higher Rate Income Tax threshold(s) and its impacts, from 2016 to present.

FOI cost limit 45 score 13 working days correspondence ministers spending s.12

Published: 2025-01-17
Reference: FOI/202400442169
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding repatriation of former First Minister: FOI release

Please provide all emails, correspondence and briefing notes from Scottish Government staff and ministers concerning the repatriation of former first minister Alex Salmond from North Macedonia, and the costs involved. Please share all correspondence between the Scottish Government, Ministry of Defence and the Foreign,...

FOI cost limit 70 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.28 s.36(1) s.28(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-17
Reference: FOI/202400436677
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding the death of former First Minister: FOI release

I would like to request all the following information relating to the death of former First Minister Alex Salmond 1. All emails, texts, WhatsApps and minutes between officials and ministers discussing the death of Mr Salmond. 2. All correspondence on email, text, WhatsApp or Teams of the discussions between UK Govt a...

FOI cost limit 70 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending whatsapp s.3 s.28(1) s.17(1) s.30 s.25(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-01-17
Reference: FOI/202400436889
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy trip to New York for Climate Week: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government about Gillian Martin's trip to New York for Climate Week, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings, minutes/notes from meetings, between September 1 2024 and the date of this FOI? 2. Could you supply all analysis do...

FOI cost limit 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.27(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-16
Reference: FOI/202400438911
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector