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

Specific Scottish Government electronic purchasing cards (ePC) charges: FOI Review

Original request: 202400437794 1) All the purchases on the Scottish Government electronic purchasing cards from September 2023 onwards which relates to expenditure directly for Scottish Ministers. For example, expenditure related to their personal travel, accommodation, food, items for their ministerial office etc. Pl...

FOI not held 70 score correspondence ministers spending s.3 s.4 s.5 s.6 s.21(4) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-12
Reference: FOI/202500450004 Review of 202400437795
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Parliamentary question costs: FOI release

How much does it cost in 2024-25 for Scottish Government officials to respond to one parliamentary question? How much did it cost in 2023-24 for Scottish Government officials to respond to one parliamentary question?

FOI unclear 55 score 11 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-04
Reference: FOI/202500452185
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Ministerial salary information: FOI release

I am responding to the following three of the your 17 questions: 9. For year 2023 - provide the salary breakdown of each Scottish Ministers and any increases that were allocated and to whom and the amount 10. For year 2024 - provide the salary breakdown of Scottish Ministers and any increases that were allocated and ...

FOI unclear 55 score 7 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500451978
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Media requests from broadcasters to interview Scottish Government Ministers: FOI release

A list of how many media requests were made by broadcasters to speak to Scottish Government Ministers between December 1 2024 and the date of this FOI, and whether they were rejected and accepted, the Minister wanted and the reasons for acceptance and rejection.

FOI released 100 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-21
Reference: FOI/202500449172
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Requests for First Minister to appear on podcasts: FOI release

A full list of requests for First Ministers to appear on podcasts in 2022, 2023, 2024, along with the name of the podcast and whether it was accepted or not, and reason why it was rejected.

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

Published: 2025-02-14
Reference: FOI/202500446688
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Legal costs incurred to challenge the release of information: FOI release

Any legal costs incurred over the last five years by the Scottish Government or other agencies to challenge the release of information requested via freedom of information requests. Costs may include those paid to lawyers and external barristers. Please provide details of every legal case.

FOI unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-01-31
Reference: FOI/202500446774
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Appointment of Independent Advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code: FOI release

1. Following the appointment of new independent ministerial code advisers, whether the Scottish Government opened up applications to the public for the position of independent adviser on the ministerial code. If so, how many applicants were there for the position? 2. If not, how many people were interviewed for the po...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-28
Reference: FOI/202400445249
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Engagements attended by Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity: FOI release

A list of Jim Fairlie’s engagements as Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity from 1 November 2024 and the minutes of those engagements.

FOI not held 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1) s.38(1) s.28 4 attachments

Published: 2025-01-27
Reference: FOI/202400444866
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Training days attended by Special Advisers: FOI release

A breakdown of costs associated with any away days or training days attended by Special Advisers (SpAds) over the past five years. Details of the dates, locations, and purposes of these events.

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

Published: 2025-01-22
Reference: FOI/202400444261
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government document download statistics: FOI release

Of all documents published by the Scottish Government on the Scottish Government website in the past year, please provide a breakdown of number of documents by the number of times they were downloaded. For example: Download Count Number of Documents 0 55 1 19 2 14 …. … [number of times the single most popular document...

FOI unclear 80 score 15 working days correspondence s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-20
Reference: FOI/202400442665
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial engagements when minister has been accompanied by family member or friend: FOI release

Please provide a list of all ministerial engagements in 2022, 2023 and 2024 when the minister has been accompanied by a spouse/partner, other family member or friend. In each case, please confirm: What was the relation of the guest to the minister? What was the reason that the minister was accompanied by a friend or f...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.9 2 attachments

Published: 2024-12-17
Reference: FOI/202400440968
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Directorate for Communications and Ministerial Support staffing, specific spend details and Ministerial code guidance: FOI release

1. The total number of staff employed in the Directorate of Comms, Ministerial Support and Facilities (also known as Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate) in each of the following financial years: 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and currently in 2024-25, broken down by pay scale. 2. What training cour...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.3 s.5 s.17(1) s.9 4 attachments

Published: 2024-12-17
Reference: FOI/202400437904
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Information regarding cost and numbers of received FOI requests: FOI release

How much would each Calendar day cost for a FOI request” to narrow the scope of your previous request which asked for “A copy of all FOI done to the Scottish government and there reply’s since legislation has been passed”. In addition you asked separately “Is there a maximum amount of FOI 1 person can have at a single ...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence briefings spending s.17(1) s.14

Published: 2024-11-27
Reference: FOI/202400436903
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence on the death of former First Minister Alex Salmond: FOI release

1. A copy of all emails of staff members of the First Minister’s office that refer to the news of Alex Salmond’s death. The time range of this request is Saturday 12th October to Monday 14th October. Staff members refers to all workers recognised as working directly for the First Minister. All emails means emails se...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.28(1) s.39(1) s.34(1) s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-11-20
Reference: FOI/202400436164
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Public Relations (PR) spend by the Scottish Government: FOI release

1. Total annual expenditure, from 2015 to present, annually, on public relations firms by: a. The Scottish Government b. All public bodies (broken down by public body) 2. Total annual expenditure, from 2015 to present, annually, on public relations firms by the Scottish Government, broken down by PR firm hired. 3. ...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)

Published: 2024-11-04
Reference: FOI/202400433499
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Gifts given by Scottish Government Ministers: FOI Review

Original request 202400426991 1. A list of gifts given by Scottish Government Ministers during external meetings and overseas travel to, for example, other Ministers etc over the last five years. 2. Please include (i) the Scottish Government Minister who gave the gift, (ii) the individual who received the gift, and (...

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

Published: 2024-10-21
Reference: FOI/202400431907 Review of 202400426991
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Censorship of consultation responses: FOI release

Responses to the following Government consultation have blocks of text replaced with "Redacted text": https://consult.gov.scot/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/scottish-climate- adaptationplan/consultation/published_select_respondentshow_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=redacted 1) Policie...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence s.4 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-09
Reference: FOI/202400430514
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Gifts that Scottish Ministers received as part of international visits: FOI release

A breakdown of the gifts, and the cost of these gifts, that Scottish Ministers presented as part of international visits during the financial years: 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24.

FOI already published 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-04
Reference: FOI/202400426838
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Gifts given by Scottish Government Ministers: FOI release

1. A list of gifts given by Scottish Government Ministers during external meetings and overseas travel to, for example, other Ministers etc over the last five years. 2. Please include (i) the Scottish Government Minister who gave the gift, (ii) the individual who received the gift, and (iii) the price of this gift.

FOI already published 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-04
Reference: FOI/202400426991
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Angus Robertson's working days: FOI release

2. Could you provide all correspondence/minutes and notes from meetings, between Alex Salmond and Humza Yousaf and Alex Salmond and John Swinney, from the last six months? 4. How many working days has Angus Robertson spent in Scotland and how many working days has he spent abroad so far in 2024, with a list of where h...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence meetings s.17(1)

Published: 2024-10-03
Reference: FOI/202400425415
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Emails sent and received by the Former First Minister: FOI Review

Original request - 202400411476 1. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf sent as First Minister from his First Minister email account. 2. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf received as First Minister from his First Minister email account. 3. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf sent as First Minister to em...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 283 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-18
Reference: FOI/202400416176 Review of 202400411476
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Former First Minister's tweet on the 35th anniversary of the Lockerbie air disaster: FOI release

1. Could you provide all receipts and expenses claims from Humza Yousaf's trip to New York for Climate Week from September 17 to 21. 2. Could you provide all drafts of Humza Yousaf's official FM account's tweet on the 35th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing, plus any notes held about why the wording changed etc: htt...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-17
Reference: FOI/202400393771
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Former First Minister’s engagements in London in March 2023: FOI Review

Original request 202400412363 Information relating to the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon’s engagements in London in March 2023.

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

Published: 2024-09-12
Reference: FOI/202400417846 Review of 202400412363
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Spring Budget communications campaign: FOI Review

Original request (202400403341) You recently engaged in a communications campaign, e.g. https://x.com/scotgov/status/1766116922909692407 The text reads: “The UK Spring Budget has failed to deliver the funding Scotland needs for public services. National Insurance cuts in the Spring Budget and Autumn Statement have ...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38 s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-11
Reference: FOI/202400413228 Review of 202400403341
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Scottish Budget

Scottish Government’s travel and subsistence policy information: FOI release

At last week's First Minister's Questions, The First Minister repeatedly said that Mr Matheson had paid back every penny of the expenses claimed (for roaming charges), so there was no cost to the taxpayer. Given this statement I wish to understand the total cost incurred for all investigations, parliamentary time, res...

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400415817
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector