Scottish Government FOI Index

21,864releases indexed

39,478attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

8,113partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-06-12newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,113 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4931 s.20 4280 s.34(1) 3589 s.39(2) 3481 s.30 2878 s.17(1) 2774 s.25(1) 2381 s.10(4) 1987 s.11(2) 1571 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1158 s.3 908

Timeline

2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,279 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 967 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 923 releases · 31.0 avg days Learning Directorate 861 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 729 releases · 39.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 633 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

21,864 matching releases

International Development Fund cost: FOI release

Details on how much is spent in overseas aid, what the aid is used for, and how much the aid costs for 2015-2019 and 2020-2015, detailing each year, country and what the aid was for. You also separately asked for confirmation as to where this international aid budget comes from, whether it is U.K. or Scottish based.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: FOI/202500451794
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: International, Money and tax, Public sector

Climate funding received from the UK Government: EIR release

1. How much climate funding Scottish Government receives from the UK, if it does indeed receive such funding? 2. If Scotland does not receive a specific allocation for anything climate related, where does Scotland get its funding for such climate related projects? 3. Who decides who or what company receives such fund...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.20 s.39(2) s.4 s.10(4) s.11(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: EIR/202500451767
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Money and tax, Public sector

Roadside structure applications for the A90: EIR release

Information regarding applications for roadside structures along the A90 Trunk Road. • The total number of applications submitted for roadside trader permits (including temporary and permanent structures) along the A90 Trunk Road over the past five years (2020–2025). • The number and percentage of these applications ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.4 6 attachments

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: EIR/202500452998
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Menu and costs for the First Minister's lunch at Bute House: FOI release

All items of information held in relation to the food and drink provided for the First Minister's lunch at Bute House on 13 January 2025 with his advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code and others, including, but not be limited to, food and drink menus and a breakdown of catering costs, including all information in b...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: FOI/202500453287
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

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

Briefing Pack prepared for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee: FOI release

The briefing pack that was prepared for Fiona Hyslop for her appearance before the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on 21 February 2025.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25 s.25(1) s.29 s.29(1) s.30

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: FOI/202500452761
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

ScotRail peak fares correspondence: FOI release

1. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received about peak fares returning, as well as minutes/or notes from meetings held about this, between September 1 2024 and December 1 2024? 2. In terms of the peak fares removal could you provide how well the scheme performed against its intended outcomes? 2a. The ide...

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

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: FOI/202500452068
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

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

Legal advice given to the Scottish Government/ministers in reference to The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

Within the legal advice published by the Scottish Government on the 26th of October 2024, in response to FOI 202400394394, on page 69 the following passage exists: "Thus REDACTED, request that Mr Hamilton be permitted to engage independent legal advice and charge the costs to the Scottish Government was set out in an ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 36 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.12 s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400438168
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Legal advice given to the Scottish Government/ministers in reference to The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI Review

Original request - 202300390057 All legal advice given to the Scottish Government/ministers in reference to the court case known as The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23). This includes legal advice given in relation to the decision to appeal, as well as advice i...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.21(4) s.60 s.12

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400445371 review of 202300390057
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Documents and legal advise relating to decision notice (193/2024): FOI release

In relation to decision notice (193/2024), you asked for: 1) In regards to the legal advice that was released. When were the last edits made to the documents that were released? 2) Any communications (whatsapps, emails, texts anything) by ministers, spads, civil servants discussing when to release the legal advice, w...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38 s.26 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400445520
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

James Hamilton QC's secretariat communications: FOI Review

Original request 202400443489 1 - Why did James Hynd leave or "stepped away" (As Mr Hamilton put it) from his position as Mr Hamilton's secretariat? 2 - All communications (emails, text messages, whatsapps, everything) and minutes between and within the Scottish Government (Ministers, civil servants, SPADS, including...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.21(4) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.36(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500448736 Review of 202400443489
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Queries regarding access to secretariat members email accounts: FOI Review

Original request 202400444352 In the court of session ruling from case XA10/23, the court ruling states: "In this connection it is notable that in their written submissions the Ministers accept that they (or their officials) could gain access to the information. They acknowledge that some of the email accounts of sec...

FOI withheld 80 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.21(4) s.38(1) s.36(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500449874 Review of 202400444352
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Legal advice in response to Scottish Information Commissioner’s decision 193/2024: FOI release

In regards to FOI 202400445520, the following passage exists within the information released: "For information at this stage, I am attaching a copy of all the legal advice that we will release in response to the Scottish Information Commissioner’s recent decision 193/2024. There are 25 separate documents (named A-Y), ...

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500448605
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Information regarding the decision not to give the Scottish Information Commissioner legal advice: FOI release

1) Any and all communications, meetings, minutes, records discussing/referencing the decision not to give the Scottish Information Commissioner the legal advice requested from FOI 202300390057 during his investigation that resulted in decision notice 193/2024. 2) Who within the Scottish Government made the decision no...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500448762
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Information regarding the Ministerial Statement: Legal Advice Relating to Scottish Information Commissioner Decision: FOI Review

Original request 202400445432 1) All briefing notes provided to ministers (e.g. John Swinney, Jamie Hepburn) in preparation of the statement to the Scottish Parliament on the 29th of October: Ministerial Statement: Legal Advice Relating to Scottish Information Commissioner Decision by civil servants, SPADs and anyone ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 2 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.21(4) s.25 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.30 6 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452157 Review of 202400445432
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

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

Scottish Information Commissioner and Freedom of Information Appeal: FOI release

I would like to put in a FOI request for a copy of all the information that was disclosed to the original applicant and the additional information that the Scottish Information Commissioner decided had been wrongly withheld from them. It relates to the following: Decision Notice 083/2024: Communications relating to an...

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

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/2024004427156
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Special Advisers relationship with Freedom of Information requests: FOI Review

Original request 202500447375 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 ...

FOI clarification 50 score 8 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452341 Review of 202500447375
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: 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

Correspondence between former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and James Hamilton: FOI release

In response to FOI/202100159382 The Scottish Government claimed it did not hold correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon/her office and James Hamilton. Given the recent ruling by the Inner House and the Information Commissioner, it is clear that for the purposes of Freedom of Information, this information is held. In l...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 38 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400438682
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Queries regarding information provided to the Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

1) Has or did the Scottish Government order any kind of internal review and/or investigation as a result of the discovery that it had misled the SIC? 2) I request a copy of any report or communications surrounding such internal review and/or investigation. 3) Has anyone within the Scottish Government been dismissed o...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452202
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Email and chain referred to in material released under previous request: FOI release

1) In the below documents the following passage exists: "(as per your email of December 8th 2023)" I specifically request this email and its email chain too” in relation to Mr James Hamilton.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452195
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information pertaining to Scottish Information Commissioner decision 004/2023: FOI release

In relation to the legal advice released by the Scottish Government in October 2024 in relation SIC decision notice 004/2023 and the court case XA10/23. The following passages exist: "It shows that Ministers failed to convey accurately the true position when making submissions to the Commissioner" and "Scottish Minist...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.3 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452221
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Former Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport WhatsApp messages during the COVID-19 pandemic: FOI Review

Original request (202400395588) I wish to make a Freedom of Information Request for MSP Maree Todds WhatsApp messages from her ministeral role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 61 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.37(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400405863 Review of 202400395588
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector