Scottish Government FOI Index

22,922releases indexed

40,952attachments found

29.5avg calendar days

8,507partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-11-04newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,507 unclear 7,460 not held 3,292 released 1,599 already published 716 cost limit 637 clarification 377 withheld 251 transferred 83

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5225 s.20 4485 s.34(1) 3789 s.39(2) 3640 s.30 3038 s.17(1) 2981 s.25(1) 2557 s.10(4) 2089 s.11(2) 1639 s.29(1) 1249 s.2 1245 s.3 980

Timeline

2026-11 48 2026-10 227 2026-09 8 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,336 releases · 27.8 avg days Marine Directorate 991 releases · 29.7 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 972 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 741 releases · 39.6 avg days Constitution Directorate 710 releases · 35.8 avg days Population Health Directorate 678 releases · 28.6 avg days People Directorate 667 releases · 25.5 avg days

Clear

152 matching releases

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

Annual expenditure on TV advertising: FOI release

Annual expenditure on TV advertising 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, covering all advertising expenditure including Government supported and Scottish public sector bodies, not only direct government costs.

FOI not held 40 score 16 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2023-10-31
Reference: 202300341792
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial contact time: FOI release

Please supply the content of all documentation regarding the preferences of all current Scottish Government ministers for working on or being contacted on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and during anti-social hours, including preferences regarding a disinclination to work or be contacted during such days and time...

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

Published: 2023-10-19
Reference: 202300356735
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Angus Robertson's time abroad: FOI Release

You asked for: How many days this year has Angus Robertson not been in Scotland for (up to the date of this FOI?) List all of the foreign trips to countries outside of Scotland he has taken and their dates. The total amount spent on trips outside of Scotland that he has been on? What is his budget for trips outside...

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

Published: 2023-09-14
Reference: 202200331592
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Highest number of FOI requests made by a single person in one day: FOI release

What is the largest number of FOI requests made to yourselves by a single person in one day, and who made those requests (and in what capacity, e.g. journalist, media, lobbying, campaigner, party researcher)? For each of the years 2023 (so far), 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, what is the largest number of FOI requests made...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2023-09-06
Reference: FOI/202300371085
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial car arrangements March 2023: FOI release

1. Copies of any enquiries from ministers/representatives of ministers on whether the service would be available from the pub on March 23. 2. Any internal discussion within the SG over whether use of the car service for this event would be appropriate, and any responses to ministers/their representatives. 3. Any corres...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2023-08-21
Reference: FOI/202300366303
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister media interviews: FOI release

The number of individual (one on one rather than press conference) media interviews given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon between 4 December 2020 and 4 December 2022. Please list these by outlet e.g “The Times” or "STV News" along with the journalist's name and the date. Please list all interviews given regardles...

FOI not held 70 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-02-21
Reference: FOI/202200332827
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Collaborative messaging apps and non-work / social spaces: FOI release

Please see the notes at the bottom for clarification on these requests. 1. Do you use one or more collaborative messaging apps? ** If no to Q1, Q2-4 do not apply to you and I do not need a response to them. ** 2. Please supply: 2.1. a list of names of those apps, and 2.2. the total number of your employees and workers ...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.1 s.4 s.17(1)

Published: 2022-12-05
Reference: FOI/202200328528
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cost to tax payers to cover the energy expenses of MP/MSPs: FOI release

Request 1: The number and type of flights taken by ScotGov Ministers and MSP's including Nicola Sturgeon and The Greens since 2020 and also the Westminster MPs including Ian Blackford. Please include whether private or public, airline, the destination/reason for the flight and class of travel ticket and the cost to tax...

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

Published: 2022-10-10
Reference: FOI/202200319290
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Breakdown of social media spend and influencer information: FOI release

1. How much money has the Scottish Government spent on social media influencers on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter in 2017-2021? 2. Breakdown of what the money was spent on in each scenario, I.e how much each post cost, what person was paid, what platform it was published on? 3. Who were the social media influencers th...

FOI not held 40 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending

Published: 2022-03-02
Reference: FOI/202200275797
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Scottish Budget

Media campaign fronted by Janey Godley: FOI Review

With reference to the recent media campaign fronted by Janey Godley (JG), I am seeking the following information: (1) Who initially proposed JG to front the campaign? (2) All internal communications proposing and discussing the proposal for JG to front the campaign. (3) All communications with the creative services age...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.7 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-02-09
Reference: FOI/202100257829 Review of 202100248293
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Letter sent to Scottish households on accessing Scottish Health system: FOI release

1. How many copies of this literature have been sent to households up until the date of the receipt of this request? 2. Do you plan to distribute any further copies of this literature to households, as of the receipt of this letter? 3. Please advise the total expenditure in sending this literature to the households tha...

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

Published: 2022-02-03
Reference: FOI/202100263405
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector