Scottish Government FOI Index

20,099releases indexed

34,518attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

7,442partially withheld

2018-05-18oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 7,442 unclear 6,659 not held 2,826 released 1,362 already published 638 cost limit 559 clarification 325 withheld 217 transferred 71

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4613 s.20 3922 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3150 s.30 2676 s.17(1) 2544 s.25(1) 2218 s.10(4) 1834 s.11(2) 1467 s.2 1076 s.29(1) 1075 s.3 845

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 1,136 releases · 27.9 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 876 releases · 31.1 avg days Marine Directorate 856 releases · 29.6 avg days Learning Directorate 783 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 637 releases · 40.0 avg days Population Health Directorate 623 releases · 28.7 avg days Constitution Directorate 611 releases · 36.1 avg days People Directorate 581 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

6,659 matching releases

Social Security Scotland’s Retention and Disposal Policy and Guidance: FOI release

Further to FOI/202500456898, which was responded to on 9 April 2025, a document titled “Retention and Disposal Policy v2.0” was provided as part of the response. Within the Document Control section of that document, the table row titled “Next Review” indicates a review date of 10 July 2025. I therefore request a copy...

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence 4 attachments

Published: 2026-02-25
Reference: FOI/202500498570
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Disclosure Scotland - Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme application queries: FOI release

Please provide the following information. These relate to procedural matters and are not considered to be relative to private or priveledged information related to any individual. The request related to how information is recieved and processed 1 Is there a procedure for submission of a PVG request that does not requi...

FOI unclear 55 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence briefings spending s.6 s.25(1)

Published: 2026-02-25
Reference: FOI/202500497436
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Digital Strategy app launch query: FOI release

Thank you for your response, but my question is not fully answered. What you have indicated is, that your digital strategy bulletin was incorrect, and the project was not on track to be out by 2026, which is the exact opposite to the article which was very clear, it said, that it will be launched by 2026, for that sta...

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence

Published: 2026-02-25
Reference: FOI/202500496625
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Student Awards Agency Scotland - MSc level course funding: FOI release

Please provide the number times part time funding has been granted for MSc level courses in Physiotherapy, advanced practice, and allied health profession related courses where the full time course lasts one year. Timescale is last 5 years.

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-02-25
Reference: FOI/202500496852
Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture's meeting with German Consulate: FOI release

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

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings

Published: 2026-02-25
Reference: FOI/202500496287
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Northern Isles ferry contracts query: FOI release

"1. What data do you hold about the Northern Isles ferry contract? 2. How many complaints has Transport Scotland received regarding the NorthLink ferries which serve Shetland? I am looking for information from 2020 up to and including 2025. 3. How many complaints have come from people with a Shetland postcode (ZE)? I...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence contracts s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202600500785
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group meeting information: FOI release

On what date did Angela Constance become aware that the 8th October 2025 meeting of the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group had included a discussion about her misrepresenting the views of Professor Alexis Jay to parliament on 16th September 2025?

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500494478
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Scottish Government human resources staff costs: FOI release

1. The current pay bill for HR staff within DG Corporate. 2. The pay bill for HR staff within DG Corporate as it stood one year ago. 3. The total HR costs for the Scottish Government when HR functions were included across other DGs (please specify the date or period this relates to in the information provided).

FOI unclear 80 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.1 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500496259
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Short report for late cases of Freedom of Information requests: FOI release

From FOI 202500490388: Email from Head of FOI Unit (Sent: 19 August 2025 16:35) "to look for patterns and investigate reasons, and start to draft a short report on what happened." Under The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, I request sight of: the SHORT REPORT

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500496636
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Disclosure Scotland's Service Level Agreement information: FOI release

Disclosure Scotland has an SLA indicating the aim to deal with 90% of applications within 14 days. Specifically what is time frame agreed for 10% of applications which do not make this 14 day target? What is the real waiting time for the above. Effectively I am asking what has been the shortest time delay after missi...

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500496851
Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Scottish Government funding to the planned investment in the Kibble Secure Unit: FOI release

The following information: Was the decision to award Scottish Government funding (as announced by Natalie Don Innes to Parliament on 8.10.25) to the planned investment in the Kibble Secure Unit to build 2-3 , 4 bedded units to supplement existing secure capacity subject to a public procurement process? If so, please p...

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings contracts

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500496667
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Creditor petitions and Council Tax sequestrations (2023–2025): FOI release

1. How many creditor petitions were awarded for sequestration in 2023-2025? 2. How many of these were for council tax arrears? 3, Can you list the local authorities which were granted an award of sequestration from the court? 4. What was the average debt for a council tax creditor petition for sequestration?

FOI unclear 75 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500496674
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

First Minister’s social media channels: FOI release

I would like to ask a question about a number of videos which the First Minister has taken to posting from his private Social Media profiles. These videos appear to be taken inside Scottish Government property and look to be professionally filmed and edited, but there is nothing to say whether these are privately funde...

FOI unclear 55 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500496893
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Bridge damage & heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) traffic on A9 between Inverness & Thurso: FOI release

"Can you advise how many bridges have been damaged due to renewable energy infrastructure being moved on the roads between Inverness and Thurso over the last year. Can you advise how much more heavy duty traffic there is, bearing in mind that millions of pounds has just been spent to put in a new bridge at Naver"

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500497906
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

A78 trunk road inspection & maintenance schedule: FOI release

This is a formal request under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. I am requesting information regarding the up-to-date A78 Trunk Road Inspection & Maintenance Schedule. Please provide this information at your earliest convenience."

FOI unclear 75 score 12 working days correspondence contracts 4 attachments

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500499124
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Energy bills statement calculation and justification: FOI release

The full calculations and justification for the following statement made by Mr. Swinney during FMQs: “There will, of course, be consequences for the public. Their energy bills will not be cut by the £300 that was proposed by the Labour Party. Energy bills will still be, on average, £340 a year higher than the Prime Mi...

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495894
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Community Payback Orders (CPO) – Unpaid work statistics: FOI release

You asked if there are more up to date figures than those published in the report Community Payback Orders – Unpaid Work or Other Activity Requirements – February 2025 - gov.scot.

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496757
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Law and order, Public sector

Policy on Deletion of Messages on Apps during Covid-19: FOI release

1. Provide full and transparent details on 'the government policy used to permit the deliberate deletion of public data, and evidence, from Whatsapp during COVID" expressed by Anas Sarwar during First Ministers Questions - 20th November 2025 in Hollyrood. First Minister John Swinney's response was, and I quote: "...To...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts whatsapp s.2 s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495382
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government’s engagements with NHS Boards in relation to winter preparedness planning: FOI release

In light of the publishing of the Scottish Government’s surge and winter preparedness in health and social care services national planning priorities and principles, whether the Scottish Government has received a finalised document from health boards outlining their operational surge and winter preparedness plans for 2...

FOI unclear 55 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence briefings s.1 s.2 s.3

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495527
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Exceptional Circumstances guidance issued to Scottish Local Authorities: FOI release

1. Whether the Scottish Government provided guidance and/or advice to Scottish Local Authorities as to the definition of "Exceptional Circumstances" (reference SSI 2021 No. 289 Clause 5B) and/or under what circumstances Exceptional Circumstances should be considered by Scottish Local Authorities. 2. Copies of any/all ...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2 s.5B s.19 s.3 s.20 s.72 s.4A s.6

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496382
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Costs incurred from the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme: FOI release

The total cost taken up by government, regarding the number of young people who have been issued with free travel passes for public transport, August 2023, September 2023, October 2023, November 2023 and total cost in years prior to dates above: 2022 2021 2020 2019

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500497360
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Scottish Government spend on funding support and counselling: FOI release

From FOI 202500490388: Email from [Redacted S.38(1)(b)] MIWFM - Head of Facilities Services (Sent: 21 August 2025 09:05) "The personal toll on individuals has been significant, with SG now funding support and counselling to help mitigate the impact of this workload and the wider targeted commentary." Under The Freed...

FOI unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence spending s.38(1)

Published: 2026-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500496138
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Data for children attending school from Mull: FOI release

1. The number of days lost due to ferry or weather issues. 2. The impact of lost school days on the learning and the educational outcomes of these students. 3. The frequency with which Google Classroom (or indeed parental/carer support) is relied upon if students are unable to attend school for the reasons highlighte...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence s.2 s.3 s.5 s.17(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2026-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500495326
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

“Flexible” four day teaching week correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence between Jenny Gilruth and her advisors regarding the plans to introduce a “flexible” four day teaching week that were announced on 20 November 2025.

FOI unclear 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500494680
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Civil Contingencies in Scotland information: FOI release

1. Please identify and outline what measures the Scottish Government (SG) (and their Officials) take to assure that those Cat 1 and Cat 2 organisations in Scotland (which SG are responsible for) meet the legislative requirements of the Act and its Regulations. 2. Please also identify when the last Audit was undertaken...

FOI unclear 55 score 7 working days correspondence s.2 s.25(1)

Published: 2026-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500497541
Directorate: Strategy Directorate
Topic: Public safety and emergencies, Public sector