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

171 matching releases

Expense claims and receipts for First Minister's private office staff: FOI release

Under FOI, please provide all expense claims and receipts for staff in the First Minister Private Office from November 2025 to date. I will repeat that I expect to see all receipts as you ignored that the last time.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-08-25
Reference: FOI/202600515232
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Independence referendum social media post analysis: FOI release

With regards this Scottish Government post on 26 May 2026: https://x.com/scotgov/status/2059331720365637860?s=20 The motion S7M-00105 passed by the Scottish Parliament on the same date was deliberately worded to be limited to the devolution of the powers to hold an independence referendum. This is clearly not the sam...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-08-11
Reference: FOI/202600518359
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister's meetings with the Lord Advocate on specific dates: FOI release

I wish to make a Freedom of Information Request for the dates the First Minister John Swinney had meetings with the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain in 2025 & 2026. Plus the minutes of the meetings

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.28(1) s.28 s.30 s.32(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-08-11
Reference: FOI/202600518084
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Justice appointment documentation: FOI release

Copies of any briefing pack, handover pack, introductory briefing, ministerial briefing, or similar document provided to Neil Gray MSP on 20 May 2026 in connection with his appointment as the Cabinet Secretary for Justice. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include any documents, annexes, issue summaries, portfol...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.33(2) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-08-10
Reference: FOI/202600517499
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and Scottish Information Commissioner for specific date: FOI release

All correspondence sent to/from the Scottish Information Commissioner, and minutes/notes from any meetings between the Scottish Information Commissioner and the Scottish Government, between February 15 2026 and March 25 2026.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-07-27
Reference: FOI/202600517094
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy's COP expenses: FOI release

Under FOI, I would like to request all communications exchanged by staff, special advisers and ministers relating to FOI 202500497042 relating to Gillian Martin’s COP expenses. For the avoidance of doubt, please include all email, WhatsApp, Teams, Webex conversations or messages.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-07-23
Reference: FOI/202600500549
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care expense claims for 2024: FOI release

Copies of expense claims and all corresponding receipts for Neil Gray in 2024.

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

Published: 2026-05-20
Reference: FOI/202600514649
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government expense claims for 2025: FOI release

Copies of expense claims and all corresponding receipts for Shona Robison in 2025.

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

Published: 2026-05-20
Reference: FOI/202600514653
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government expense claims for 2024: FOI release

Copies of expense claims and all corresponding receipts for Shona Robison in 2024.

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

Published: 2026-05-20
Reference: FOI/202600514655
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister emails relating to Lord Advocate and former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party: FOI release

A copy of any email in the First Minister’s inbox (sent by him or received by him) relating to the Lord Advocate or Peter Murrell that was received or sent on 16th, February, 17th February, 18th February and 19th February.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.28(1) s.35(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600512647
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister Branchform update correspondence: FOI release

The Lord Advocate has shared a list of other occasions in which she informed the First Minister of details of criminal cases. The list revealed that on 20th March 2025 the First Minister was informed about Peter Murrell appearing in court, the charge of embezzlement, and an estimated amount of alleged embezzlement amo...

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

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600508326
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

First Minister emails related to the Lord Advocate and the former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party: FOI release

A copy of any email in the First Minister’s inbox relating to the Lord Advocate or Peter Murrell that was received on 20th February, 21st February , 22nd February and 23rd February. (2026)

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600508331
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Emails sent from the Lord Advocate's work email on the 25 of February 2026: FOI release

I’d like to FOI all send emails of the Lord Advocate work email on the 25 of February 2026.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-11
Reference: FOI/202600508695
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information vexatious or repeated requests data: FOI release

1) Please provide the number of Freedom of Information requests refused by the Scottish Government for being vexatious since John Swinney became First Minister. Also provide the same for the time Humza Yousaf was First Minister and the same for when Nicola Sturgeon was First Minister. 2) For each of the above provide ...

FOI transferred 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.14(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.14V 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-06
Reference: FOI/202600510718
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Freedom of Information department's correspondence that contains any reference to a “third intervention”: FOI release

Three requests summarised below with the relevant reference numbers we have used to process them: 202600509939 – “All correspondence sent or received (including internal correspondence) by members of the Scottish Government Freedom of Information department that contains any reference to a “third intervention” within ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-30
Reference: FOI/202600509939
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

First Minister’s 2025 Christmas card information: FOI release

1. The original image file The original, unedited photograph used on the First Minister’s 2025 Christmas card, including any available metadata (EXIF data). 2. Authorship and provenance Any documents, emails, or internal communications confirming who took the photograph. Any documents recording when and where the phot...

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

Published: 2026-04-29
Reference: FOI/202600509098
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence with the PCS union and the FDA unions in relation to the hybrid working policy: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence, unredacted, relating to the Scottish Government’s correspondence with the PCS union and the FDA unions in relation to the hybrid working policy. Please provide these details from October 22, 2025 until March 3, 2026. Please provide any correspondence relating to the hybrid working pol...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2026-04-29
Reference: FOI/202600509259
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Emails sent from the Cabinet Secretary for Education’s official address on 25 February 2026: FOI release

I'd like to FOI all send emails of the Cabinet Secretary for Education sent from her address on the 25 of February 2026.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-28
Reference: FOI/202600508574
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence between the First Minister, Director General Economy relating to Global Counsel: FOI release

(1) Can you please send me copies of any and all correspondence, including texts, whatsapps, emails, deleted emails, voicenotes, minutes of meetings, exchanged between Gregor Irwin and Peter Mandelson, or any employee of the firm Global Counsel, or mentioning Global Counsel or Peter Mandelson/Lord Mandelson held by the...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.33(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-23
Reference: FOI/202600506640
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Senior Special Adviser communications: FOI release

Communications sent and received by Senior Special Adviser Jeanette Campbell during the week commencing Monday 2 February 2026.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.25 s.27(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-21
Reference: FOI/202600505102
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Roles of ministerial private office staff: FOI release

Copies of job descriptions and roles and responsibilities of all Scottish Government “ministerial private office” staff at pay scale grade C1, C2, C3 and SCS. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include what is expected of individuals at these grades in relation to “Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts".

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1)

Published: 2026-04-14
Reference: FOI/202600504042
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Bute House press conference documentation: FOI Review

Original request 202500483012 Information and documentation relating to the Bute House Press conference on 14 April 2025.

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

Published: 2026-04-13
Reference: FOI/202500485766 Review of 202500483012
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial Preferences: FOI release

1. A copy of the latest ministerial preferences document for each Scottish Minister (in terms of how they like to receive information and working preferences etc.) that is available to Scottish Government staff. 2. Any previous versions of such a document for each minister produced since 1 September 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-31
Reference: FOI/202600501881
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice correspondence relating to Path To Balance: FOI Review

Original request 202500494932 All correspondence mentioning Path To Balance between Shirley-Anne Somerville and the Director General of Communities. Sight of all correspondence mentioning Path To Balance between Shirley-Anne Somerville and Shona Robison.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-31
Reference: FOI/202600502600 Review of 202500494932
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

For the years 2024 and 2025, for each of the ten people who have made the most FOI-EIR requests in each of those years. 1. Name of requester 2. Capacity of requester (eg media, journalist, political party researcher, academic researcher, campaigner, private individual). If the person's name cannot be disclosed for wh...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence spending s.1 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 s.10(4) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-30
Reference: FOI/202600502420
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector