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

231 matching releases

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Cultures' diary for October 2025: FOI release

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Cultures' full diary (government and political) for October 2025.

FOI unclear 80 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-09
Reference: FOI/202500494317
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Hybrid working 40% target statistics: FOI release

Under FOISA please can I know the percentage of the civil service that meet the government’s target of 40% of time spent in the office. If possible, can you also let me know how many staff come in 1 day or less each week, if any staff expected to be coming in 40% of the time have been working remotely this entire calen...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings contracts spending s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-09
Reference: FOI/202500492578
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Affidavit in relation to the Hamilton Report: FOI release

From the legal advice released in October 2024 following SIC decision notice 193/2024 on page 87: “An affidavit from [redacted – section 38(1)(b)] as former head of the Secretariat about the arrangements was provided to OSIC as additional evidence.” 1) I request the above affidavit, as well any other affidavits provi...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.36(1) s.14(2) s.14 s.14O s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-04
Reference: FOI/202500491548
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Scottish Government 'A Fresh Start with Independence' publication costs and access statistics: FOI release

How many times has the publication 'A Fresh Start with Independence' been downloaded since it's launch. You asked if this could be broken down: by day country from which is was accessed You also asked if we could provide the overall costs involved in producing the document, including any printing and design costs, or...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 13 working days correspondence spending s.8 s.27(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-04
Reference: FOI/202500492880
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Classification and ancillary costs of former First Minister's travel to Qatar: FOI release

I am requesting information regarding the decision-making process, classification, and public expenditure related to trips undertaken by the former First Minister, Humza Yousaf, to Qatar between 29 March 2023 and 7 May 2024. Please provide: 1. Trip Classification Protocol: Any internal correspondence, briefing notes,...

FOI not held 45 score 12 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.39 s.30 s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-03
Reference: FOI/202500496383
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Release of legally privileged information and use of WhatsApp on Scottish Government phones: FOI release

1. Could you provide how many occasions in the last two years that the Scottish Government has been forced to publicly release legally privileged information, and include what this info was and why it had to be released? 2. Could you supply how many incidents have been recorded of government staff, officials or minist...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-02
Reference: FOI/202500491146
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Diary events for Minister for Parliamentary Business on 18th September 2025: FOI release

The reasons for Jamie Hepburn MSP’s non-attendance at First Minister’s Questions on 18 September 2025. Please provide details of any meetings, events, or other commitments scheduled during that period. Whether Jamie Hepburn MSP was present in the Scottish Parliament at any point on 18 September 2025, and whether he was...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-21
Reference: FOI/202500485183
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Meetings held between Scottish Government ministers and the Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP): FOI release

1. All correspondence between Scottish Government Ministers and their special advisers and Keith Brown MSP. This should include all email correspondence with and from his MSP email, SNP email and any other email accounts used by Keith Brown since 6 May 2025. 2. All meetings (including virtual) Keith Brown MSP has atte...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500487575
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Advertising costs from the last 5 years on STV North: FOI release

How much a) the Scottish Government, and b) Scottish Government Executive Agencies, have spent in each of the last five financial years - a) 2024-2025, b) 2023-2024, c) 2022-2023, d) 2021-2022, and e) 2020-2021 - on advertising with STV North [described by STV Commercial as North (Aberdeen and Dundee)].

FOI withheld 55 score 6 working days correspondence contracts spending s.33 s.33(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2026-01-08
Reference: FOI/202500487213
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Information related to Scottish Information Commissioner decision notice: FOI release

1. What is the name of the individual whose role in the redaction process of the Hamilton Report was under investigation by the Scottish Information Commissioner and who wrote a signed statement to the Commissioner's office, as noted in Decision Notice 144/2025 and pages 15-18 of the below FOI release? 2. Why has this...

FOI transferred 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.6 4 attachments

Published: 2026-01-06
Reference: FOI/202500480860
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Former First Minister’s engagements and financial transactions with NEON (New Economy Organisers Network): FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I am requesting the following information regarding Nicola Sturgeon’s engagements and any financial transactions with NEON (New Economy Organisers Network) during her tenure as First Minister of Scotland (from November 20, 2014, to March 28, 2023) or in any official...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2026-01-06
Reference: FOI/202500482305
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Consultation queries: FOI release

Information relating to consultations over the last 5 years. In particular, information relating to: The average time taken over the last 5 years between closing a consultation and publishing an analysis of responses, as well as publishing the responses themselves The longest time taken, over the last 5 years, between...

FOI not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.12(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-24
Reference: FOI/202500483584
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence and meeting notes in relation to the handling of request 202500472911: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence and meeting notes etc. in relation to the preparation, handling and clearance of the response to FOI 202500472911. Notably, this should include FOI response clearance comments from the Scottish Government Executive Team, SG Communications, SpAds and Ministers.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.25(1) s.15 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-02
Reference: FOI/202500481037
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial media activity information: FOI release

For the six-month period in 2025 from January 1 to June 30, please disclose the following: The number of press conferences held. For each, please give its date; location; subject; and the minister(s) taking questions. The number of pressers held. For each, please give its date; location; and the minister(s) taking que...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.27(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-06
Reference: FOI/202500477986
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Use of third party file portals and future accessibility of Freedom of Information rights queries: FOI release

1. Has the Scottish Government issued any guidance on the use of third-party portals to issue FOI responses? 2. Is there any national policy position on whether public bodies should continue to accept FOI requests by email? 3. Has any cross-government coordination taken place on consolidating or standardising FOI res...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence s.60 s.61 s.9 s.17(1) s.4

Published: 2025-11-04
Reference: FOI/202500477785
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Costs incurred for visit to Trump International Scotland in Aberdeenshire: FOI release

“I am writing to request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 that the Scottish Government Disclose all information it holds detailing costs incurred by the council, or estimated costs incurred by the council, as a result of the visit to Scotland by the US president Donald Trump between July 25 2025 an...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-28
Reference: FOI/202500478121
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Costs of creating the new position of Cabinet Secretary for Housing: FOI release

The cost of creating the new position of Cabinet Secretary for Housing. Please break down all costs involved, including, for example, creating new office space, buying new stationery, hiring new staff or special advisers, purchasing new signage or business cards, etc.

FOI unclear 55 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-22
Reference: FOI/202500476510
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government hospitality spend: FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I would like to request the following information: The total amount spent by Scottish Government Cabinet Secretaries on coffee and other refreshments between 1 January 2023 and the present date of 18 July 2025. If available, please provide a breakdown by Cabinet Se...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-22
Reference: FOI/202500476453
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

New ministerial offices within Scottish Government estate: FOI release

Since 1 May 2021, the cost of creating new Ministerial offices within the Scottish Government. Note that I am referring to the physical space of an office that is used by a Minister. Costs could include but not be limited to purchasing new furniture, purchasing signage, taking out walls, relocating previous users of th...

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

Published: 2025-10-14
Reference: FOI/202500473946
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information pertaining to catering, staffing and menus for official events: FOI Review

Original Request - 202500462429 1. How many official events (state dinners, lunches, cocktail receptions) have been held at Bute House since the 1st of April 2024? Please provide a brief description of each event as well as notable guests. 2. How much money has been spent on catering, staffing, and organising these ...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.21(4) s.25(1) s.27(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-13
Reference: FOI/202500471460 - Review of 202500462429
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government Ministers interactions with Large Language Models (LLM): FOI release

Can I request the following information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002: Any recorded transcripts, logs, outputs, or other documentation of interactions between Scottish Government Ministers and ChatGPT or any other large language model (LLM) from January 1, 2025, to June 18, 2025. This includes ...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500471617
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Costs of Scottish Government's media room: FOI release

Full breakdown of costs for the Scottish Government's media room from the last five years, broken down per year.

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

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500471222
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government exercising Section 50 (5) of the FOISA act: FOI release

1) Since January 1st 2002, how many times has the Scottish Government not handed over information to the Scottish Information Commissioner for investigations due to exercising section 50(5) of the FOISA act? 2) Can you please cite the SIC decision number and FOI reference number concerning these?

FOI already published 55 score 16 working days correspondence briefings s.50(5) s.14(2) s.14 s.17(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2025-09-23
Reference: FOI/202500468778
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Diary engagements: FOI release

Can you provide a copy of the ministerial diary for Jenny Gilruth on April 24, 2025? Can you provide a copy of any amendments made in regards to this document? Can you provide a list of ministerial engagements scheduled for Ms Gilruth on that date? Can you also provide any emails related to Ms Gilruth's diary schedulin...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-17
Reference: FOI/202500463953
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Ministerial engagements: FOI release

Could you provide Jenny Gilruth's ministerial diary for Thursday April 24, including any drafts of it from the last three months?

FOI released 100 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-17
Reference: FOI/202500464265
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills