Scottish Government FOI Index

21,808releases indexed

39,350attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

8,078partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-05-18newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,078 unclear 7,197 not held 3,057 released 1,536 already published 668 cost limit 606 clarification 348 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4909 s.20 4258 s.34(1) 3570 s.39(2) 3460 s.30 2869 s.17(1) 2765 s.25(1) 2372 s.10(4) 1974 s.11(2) 1562 s.29(1) 1171 s.2 1152 s.3 905

Timeline

2026-05 355 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 963 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 919 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 860 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 726 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 632 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

7,197 matching releases

Equally Safe Strategy statement clarification: FOI release

1. Page 23, paragraph 4, of the Equally Safe Strategy, contains the statement 'when men and boys experience domestic abuse, sexual violence, and exploitation, it is primarily at the hands of other men'. Assuming this is based on data, rather than an ideologically driven hunch, on which data is this statement based. 2....

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence

Published: 2025-03-28
Reference: FOI/202500452675
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

List of Public Bodies in Scotland: FOI release

During FMQs on 27th February 2025, John Swinney said this: “On 1st December 2024, there were 131 public bodies in Scotland under our control. In 2007, when the Government came to office, there were 199.” Please provide the lists of public bodies referenced in the above answer. In other words: a list of the 131 which ...

FOI unclear 75 score 9 working days correspondence 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500455055
Directorate: Public Service Reform Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Foreign aid payment details: FOI release

Details of programmes and initiatives funded through a number of payments to a number of organisations you provide in your request. You asked for details from the following payments: £306,891 to Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund on 4 April 2023 £200,000 to Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund on 25 April 2...

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.25(1)

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500452106
Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Scottish Government Directorate structure: FOI release

1. Can you confirm that the Scottish Government is split into directorates, and that all employees, capital, or other things attached to the Scottish Government are categorised under one or more directorates? 2. Please list the directorates of the Scottish Government. 3. Is there a standard substructure for each Scot...

FOI unclear 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.4 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500452313
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Child Payment and Child Disability Payment parent conflict documentation: FOI release

I’m writing to request information relating to Scottish Child Payment and Child Disability Payment. Request for information 1: Any documentation, guidance or other information concerning circumstances where there is a conflicting claim between two parents for the Scottish Child Payment and the Child Disability Payment...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500453879
Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Money and tax, Public sector

Brand Scotland "American Friends" advert costs: FOI release

1) The cost of production of the #BrandScotland "American Friends" advert published on or around 4th Feb 2025 (e.g. https://bsky.app/profile/angusrobertson.bsky.social/post/3lhdlnpyzxy2v) 2) The marketing spend for that advert directed at audiences within the United States of America. 3) The marketing spend for that ...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500452234
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

LGBT Youth Scotland documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government about LGBT Youth Scotland including correspondence sent and received, including internal, briefings, minutes/notes from meetings, analysis, between November 1 2024 and February 1 2025.

FOI unclear 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500451545
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

First Minister's comments on child poverty in the Official Report: FOI release

1. The First Minister referred to “lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty”. How many hundreds of thousands does he believe have been lifted out of poverty? And if that number is less than two hundred thousand, please provide an explanation for why the First Minister has not corrected the Official Repo...

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence ministers briefings

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500455071
Directorate: Tackling Child Poverty and Social Justice Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Source of statistics and comparisons referenced in First Minister's Questions on 27 February 2025: FOI release

The source, and links to, all the statistics and comparisons which John Swinney quoted in his answers at First Ministers Questions on 27 February 2025.

FOI unclear 75 score 5 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500455117
Directorate: Strategy Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Data relating to sentences and convictions: FOI release

The percentage of people sentenced to non-custodial sentences vs custodial sentences for the past five years of available data. The reoffending rates for sexual offences plus the reoffending offence type with the highest reoffending rates as a comparison point. Percentage of sexual offences compared to all other offenc...

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500453175
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

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

Costs of operating Primary and Secondary Education: FOI release

The costs to run Primary Education and the costs to run Secondary Education.

FOI unclear 50 score 10 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500454704
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Number and definition of public bodies in Scotland: FOI release

1. The 199 public bodies referred to by John Swinney that he claimed were in existence in 2007 during First Minister’s Questions on 27 February 2025 2. Whether the Scottish Government has changed the definition of a ‘public body’ since 2007 and if so please provide the definition used in 2007 and all subsequent change...

FOI unclear 75 score 7 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500454914
Directorate: Public Service Reform Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Police pension scheme members in receipt of Remediable Service Statements (RSS): FOI release

1. Can you share how many police pension scheme members have received their RSS to date and whether you are on track to meet the statutory deadline? 2. Have you completed phase one for those who retired on grounds of ill-health etc.? 3. Why did you remove reference to ‘specific dates’ when the 31st of March 2025 is t...

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence s.4

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500454775
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Buses procured from Scottish Manufacturers as part of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund: FOI release

How many buses were procured from Scottish Manufacturers as part of phase two of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB).

FOI unclear 50 score 10 working days correspondence

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500454431
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

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

National Speed Management Review budget: FOI release

Confirm the total budget that has been allocated to the various public engagements that are being held in regard to the proposed reduction in speed limits, also what is the total cost including websites etc and online public consultation also any expenditure on expert advice, 3rd party or in house.

FOI unclear 50 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence spending

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: FOI/202500455699
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

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

Witness information regarding James Hamilton QC's report on the ministerial code: FOI release

1) Which of these witnesses gave interviews with Mr Hamilton? 2) Which of these witnesses gave two interviews with Mr Hamilton? 3) When did these witnesses give interviews with Mr Hamilton?

FOI unclear 50 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400446133
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 on vacant buildings owned by the Scottish Government: FOI release

A list of all buildings owned or leased by the Scottish Government and its agencies that are currently vacant, including: The date each building became vacant The reason for vacancy Whether there are plans for reuse, sale, or demolition A breakdown of the total costs associated with maintaining these vacant buildings...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2025-03-21
Reference: FOI/202500451957
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information regarding Remedial Service Statements (RSS): FOI release

1. The total number of retired officers impacted by the McCloud ruling that have still to receive a Remedial Service Statement (RSS) to date of this submission. 2. Break down the answer to question 1 into respective categories you use to differentiate between cases. 3. The average time taken to complete a review and ...

FOI unclear 55 score 12 working days correspondence briefings spending s.3 s.7

Published: 2025-03-19
Reference: FOI/202500453137
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

National newspaper spend: FOI release

1. The total value of news subscriptions paid for the National newspaper by the Scottish Government in 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 so far. Where possible, please breakdown these payments by the directorate responsible for paying these subscriptions too. 2. Of the media monitoring services the Scottish Government pays...

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending

Published: 2025-03-19
Reference: FOI/202500452859
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Royal Scottish National Orchestra lease agreement with Glasgow Life: FOI release

Current arrangement of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's (RSNO) lease agreement with Glasgow Life for the New Auditorium and services due to SDA Media ltd. 1. (i) "If the Scottish Government still claims its funding is not included in this lease agreement." 2. (ii) "The benefit to the public of tax payers money...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2025-03-19
Reference: FOI/202500451710
Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector