Scottish Government FOI Index

11,099releases indexed

19,072attachments found

28.7avg calendar days

4,403partially withheld

2023-10-02oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 4,403 unclear 3,109 not held 1,663 released 816 already published 409 cost limit 376 clarification 166 withheld 123 transferred 34

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 2824 s.20 2437 s.34(1) 2118 s.39(2) 1920 s.30 1721 s.17(1) 1465 s.25(1) 1326 s.10(4) 1159 s.11(2) 933 s.29(1) 703 s.2 586 s.6(1) 478

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 743 releases · 28.1 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 632 releases · 29.1 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 437 releases · 29.3 avg days Marine Directorate 406 releases · 26.4 avg days Population Health Directorate 404 releases · 25.8 avg days Environment and Forestry Directorate 354 releases · 34.0 avg days Economic Development Directorate 334 releases · 41.5 avg days People Directorate 332 releases · 23.9 avg days

Clear

77 matching releases

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

Breaches of the Ministerial Code: FOI release

1. The text of the 20 most recent complaints submitted against Scottish Government Ministers that were reviewed against the ministerial code. 2. The text of the 10 most recent complaints of minsters that were upheld i.e it was judged they had broken the ministerial code.

FOI not held 70 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-17
Reference: FOI/202400401399
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

Spring Budget communications campaign: FOI release

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 cost £20 billion. This means Scotl...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.17 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-05
Reference: FOI/202400403341
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Chief of Staff to the First Minister: FOI release

All Chief of Staff to the First Minister, and who the First Minister was they were Chief of Staff to The tenure of duration of each chief of staff General duties, roles and responsibilities of the Chief of Staff to the First Minister Engagements of the Chief of Staff within the Scottish Government, office of the First ...

FOI not held 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1)

Published: 2024-09-04
Reference: FOI/202400411404
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Former First Minister's travel to London in March 2023: FOI release

In relation to FOI 202300372115 about the former First Minister's travel to London in March 2023 and followed up to ask: 1. Was the trip solely for the purposes of the previous First Minister to take part in a television programme called ‘Loose Women’? 2. If not, was the trip also for the purpose of matters which are...

FOI not held 40 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending

Published: 2024-09-04
Reference: FOI/202400412363
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

The National newspaper and Newsquest publications spend: FOI release

1. How much has the Scottish Government spent on The National newspaper, including any grants, advertising contracts and paid subscriptions? Please also detail any other payments made to the newspaper. If possible, please provide this information since 2014. 2. How much has the Scottish Government spent on Newsquest p...

FOI not held 45 score 11 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2

Published: 2024-09-04
Reference: FOI/202400413762
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Advertising costs - Pablo, London: FOI release

List of total costs incurred by Scottish Government/HM Government as a Client of Pablo.

FOI not held 40 score 4 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2024-09-04
Reference: FOI/202400421381
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Circular Economy Bill, oil and gas licences and Keir Starmer correspondence: EIR release

1. a) Could you supply minutes/notes from all meetings Lorna Slater has held about the circular economy bill this year? b) Could you also supply the risk register for the circular economy bill? 2. a) Could you supply a list of all meetings held by Humza Yousaf between October 7 2023 and October 31 2023? b) Could you s...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.5(1) s.10 s.11 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: EIR/202400405191
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Energy, Environment and climate change, +1 more … Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care's trip to UAE: FOI release

1. All briefings, notes prepared for ministers, and correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internally, about the UK Government proposing a ban on smoking for those who are 14 and younger, between October 1 and the date of this FOI. 2. Full cost of Neil Gray's trip to UAE between October...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.12 s.27(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300385956
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Freedom of Information Unit resourcing and staffing numbers: FOI release

(1) The staffing of the central FOI team; (2) The number of civil servants across the Scottish Government responsible for dealing with FOIs? specialist teams or staff devoted to this work? Central records of specialists kept? How many civil servants in Scottish Government have 'FOI' or 'Freedom of Information' or 'EIR...

FOI not held 70 score 10 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.14(1) s.12(1) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300388436
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

1. Over the past five years how many FoI requests have been submitted? Please can I have this broken down by year? (So for the years of 2019, 20, 21, 22, 23. If financial years are used, please may I have the data for this financial year to the date this has been submitted.) 2. Over the past five years how many FoI re...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.20 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-04-10
Reference: FOI/202400397701
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Advertising spend by the Scottish Government: FOI release

1. You asked for advertising spend by the Scottish Government broken down by media outlet for each of the last three financial years. Please include both print and broadcast outlets. 2. Details of all payments made to Newsquest in the same time period, broken down by year.

FOI not held 45 score 16 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2

Published: 2024-04-08
Reference: FOI/202400391972
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government and Executive Agency policy regarding social media posts: FOI release

Does the Scottish Government and related agencies have a policy of removing comments from social media? If so, what is this policy? Regardless if a policy exists or not, what criteria does the Scottish Government and related agencies use to remove comments from social media posts?

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.5 s.8 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-03-27
Reference: FOI/202400394165
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care communications during December 2022 - January 2023: FOI release

Any and all communications (including WhatsApps +private emails about government business) from Michael Matheson during December 2022 and January 2023. Any documents relating to the decision to pay for Michael Matheson's iPad bill from the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Any documents relating to the decision-ma...

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

Published: 2024-03-07
Reference: FOI/202300384476
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister’s Christmas Media Reception: FOI release

Regarding the First Minister’s Christmas Media Reception, held at Bute House last night 14/12/23: A number of civil servants could be overheard discussing being "asked to go and buy booze at the last minute". Was alcohol or "booze" always going to be served at the Christmas Media Reception? If not, when was it decid...

FOI not held 45 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.17(1) s.7 s.10 s.4 s.27(1) s.17

Published: 2024-02-23
Reference: FOI/202300389912
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care use of governmental device: FOI release

1. Whether Michael Matheson informed anyone in the Scottish Government of his holiday to Morocco during December 2022/January 2023 in advance of it and if so when. 2. Whether Michael Matheson asked the Scottish Government to take a government device with him on this holiday, whether this request was accepted or rejecte...

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

Published: 2024-01-23
Reference: FOI/202300385115
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Number of FOI/EIR's received annually and costs incurred for responding: FOI release

Total cost, per calendar year, from Jan 1st 2015 to present date, incurred by the Scottish Government in answering FOI and EIR requests. Total number, per calendar year, from Jan 1st 2015 to present date, of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government. Total number, per calendar year, from Jan 1st 2015 to present ...

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

Published: 2024-01-16
Reference: FOI/202300383092
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government expenditure on TikTok: FOI release

A breakdown of Scottish Government expenditure on TikTok, including a breakdown by subject matter, and whether it was used to promote a specific policy position to young people. Reasoning behind advertising on TikTok and a breakdown of what adverts were shown and how many people they reached. The cost/benefit analysis ...

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

Published: 2023-12-29
Reference: 202300356486
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity government issued mobile handset: FOI release

1. Does Lorna Slater use a mobile phone handset issued to her by the Scottish Government? 2. If Lorna Slater does not use a mobile phone handset issued to her by the Scottish Government, does the Scottish Government pay the bill for any personal handsets used by Lorna Slater, either directly, or via expense claims? 3...

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

Published: 2023-12-06
Reference: FOI/202300382799
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information (FOIs) cases discussed at Cabinet: FOI release

During the Scottish Parliament's Convener's Group meeting on September 27, 2023, Humza Yousaf said that certain FOIs had been brought to cabinet to discuss. Which FOIs were they, why were they brought to cabinet, and what was the resulting decision? Please also provide the responses to the FOIs that were brought to Cab...

FOI not held 45 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.17(1)

Published: 2023-11-21
Reference: FOI/202300378309
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government social media channels posts and comments: FOI release

1. Do the Scottish Government have any contracts with social media companies to utilise artificial intelligence algorithims with regards to posts and or comments generated by all government agencies on social media? 2. Can the Scottish Government confirm posts generated on social media that are from official governmen...

FOI not held 40 score 14 working days correspondence contracts

Published: 2023-11-20
Reference: FOI/202300376348
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Social media and media advertising spend on COVID-19 vaccination programme: FOI release

The amount of money spent by the Scottish Government on social media and media advertising to encourage people to take the COVID-19 vaccinations, including paying or rewarding 'social media influencers', media personalities and public figures.

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

Published: 2023-11-16
Reference: FOI/202300375231
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

List of all adverts funded by the Scottish Government hosted on YouTube: FOI release

A list of all adverts funded by the Scottish Government hosted on YouTube in December 2022 and January 2023. The amount spent on these adverts. All correspondence relating to the ‘visit Glasgow this winter’ advert that has appeared on YouTube with the Scottish Government’s branding. Whether or not the Scottish Governme...

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

Published: 2023-11-03
Reference: 202300338164
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence relating to devolved vs reserved matters: FOI release

1. Any correspondence held by the Scottish government between the permanent secretary John Paul Marks and the cabinet secretary Simon Case, in relation to devolved vs reserved matters. By this I mean things like the constitution and foreign affairs – potential examples would be the subject of a “minister for independen...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-02
Reference: FOI/202300367840
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector