Scottish Government FOI Index

7,100releases indexed

11,002attachments found

26.0avg calendar days

2,867partially withheld

2024-09-02oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 2,867 unclear 1,842 not held 1,127 released 500 already published 296 cost limit 255 clarification 112 withheld 82 transferred 19

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 1974 s.20 1461 s.34(1) 1456 s.39(2) 1227 s.30 1195 s.17(1) 1022 s.25(1) 898 s.10(4) 763 s.11(2) 607 s.29(1) 519 s.2 448 s.3 342

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 491 releases · 27.4 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 425 releases · 27.5 avg days Marine Directorate 274 releases · 26.7 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 267 releases · 25.4 avg days People Directorate 243 releases · 23.7 avg days Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate 229 releases · 31.2 avg days Population Health Directorate 228 releases · 24.7 avg days Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate 199 releases · 23.6 avg days

Clear

136 matching releases

Compliance Metrics and quality assurance processes for FOI case management and documentation in 2025: FOI release

“Under FOI, please provide me with stats and figures relating to “casserole compliance” in 2025. Please also explain how every FOI case is quality assured that the same “compliance documents” are filled out and stored in the case file”.

FOI unclear 75 score 9 working days correspondence 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-15
Reference: FOI/202600514647
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Brand Scotland marketing spend information: FOI release

1. For each financial year since 2020-21, please provide the amount spent on marketing by Brand Scotland, if possible, broken down by category (ie digital, broadcast, print, etc). 2. Please also provide the budgets for this spending in the current and next financial year.

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600503218
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Number of Freedom of Information requests which have proceeded to a review: FOI release

I would like statistics on the number of FOIs which were dealt with by Ministerial Private Pffice staff and the number of those FOIs which then needed to be reviewed in 2025. For avoidance of doubt, this is an FOI Review. I would also like stats on the overall number of FOIs received by Scottish Government in 2025 and...

FOI unclear 50 score 6 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600505303
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial expenses of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon: FOI release

In light of the information pertaining to Peter Murrell it is clear that there might have been some fraudulent activity with regards to SNP accounts. Can you please advise and reassure us that the expenses of the former first minister Nicola Sturgeon have been thoroughly checked to ensure that the same invoices were no...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600506652
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Sensitive and routine Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

In reference to the express article linked here: https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-special-advisers-oversawhundreds-35647218 1) How many FOI requests from January 16th 2025 to January 15th 2026 were deemed "routine" 2) How many FOI requests from January 16th 2025 to January 15th 2026 were deeme...

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence ministers special advisers

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600513776
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs dealt with by the Scottish Government in a) 2025 b) 2024 c) 2023 d) 2022. 2. The number of FOIs not responded to within the 28 day time frame in a) 2025 b) 2024 c) 2023 d) 2022. 3. The number of FOIs not responded to within 20 days of receiving confirmation following a clarification request a) 2...

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600501634
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cost of running the “We are Scotland" campaign: FOI release

The total cost/total budgeted cost of running the campaign entitled “We are Scotland - Scottish Government’s Community Cohesion Campaign” broken down by type of cost – for example, television advertising, outdoor advertising, graphic creation, etc.

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600501724
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture work attendance information: FOI release

Could you supply me with how many working days Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has spent in Scotland and how many days he has spent outwith Scotland on government business in 2023.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600501566
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture working days information: FOI release

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600501543
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture attendance on government business: FOI release

So far this month (January 2026) and up to the date of this FOI, could you supply me with how many working days Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has spent in Scotland and how many days he has spent outwith Scotland on government business.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600501541
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Ministers mobile phone and laptop query: FOI release

How many SNP Ministers have work phones, and how many don't? Could you supply a full list of Ministers and a full list of work devices they have?

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600502746
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Expenses of artwork in Ministerial Offices: FOI release

The total cost involved in purchasing, selecting, moving, removing, and installing artwork in Minister’s offices in the Scottish Parliament and St Andrew’s House since 6 May 2024.

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending

Published: 2026-05-07
Reference: FOI/202500498533
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector, Work and skills

Number of staff allocated to each Cabinet Secretary and Minister: FOI relaese

The total number of staff allocated to each Cabinet Minister and Minister. Please include how the composition of staff is arrived at- I.e what evidence informs staffing decisions for each Minister.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-29
Reference: FOI/202600509308
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cost of Deputy First Minister's 2026 trip to the United Arab Emirates: FOI release

The total cost, broken into a table that lists the different costs, of Kate Forbes' recent trip to the United Arab Emirates in January/February 2026.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-22
Reference: FOI/202600506185
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Decision Notice 128/2025 documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including minutes/notes from meetings, correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings, analysis, advice, about Decision Notice 128/2025.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-15
Reference: FOI/202600504385
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Law Officers attendance at Scottish Cabinet meetings: FOI release

From the date of Dorothy Bain becoming Lord Advocate, please provide the dates of every meeting of the Scottish Cabinet, and next to each date please state whether Dorothy Bain was in attendance.

FOI unclear 75 score 3 working days correspondence meetings 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-14
Reference: FOI/202600507891
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Mind to Mind mental health campaign costs: FOI release

The financial cost of creating and promoting these campaign materials How the Mind to Mind Stakeholder Toolkit differs from other resources and toolkits widely available online How the impact of the campaign will be evaluated

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.3

Published: 2026-03-30
Reference: FOI/202600501497
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

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

“Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I would like to request the following information... Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Cultures' full diary (government and political) for July 2025.”

FOI unclear 80 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-25
Reference: FOI/202500496298
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Short report for late cases of Freedom of Information requests: FOI release

From FOI 202500490388: Email from Head of FOI Unit (Sent: 19 August 2025 16:35) "to look for patterns and investigate reasons, and start to draft a short report on what happened." Under The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, I request sight of: the SHORT REPORT

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500496636
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister’s social media channels: FOI release

I would like to ask a question about a number of videos which the First Minister has taken to posting from his private Social Media profiles. These videos appear to be taken inside Scottish Government property and look to be professionally filmed and edited, but there is nothing to say whether these are privately funde...

FOI unclear 55 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500496893
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government 'A Fresh Start with Independence' and “Your Right to Decide” online access statistics: FOI release

1. The number of views on the Scottish Government website of the online paper, A Fresh Start with Independence, by country. For example, X many viewed it while being located in the United Kingdom, Y many viewed it while being located in France, etc. 2. The number of views on the Scottish Government website of the onli...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence

Published: 2026-02-17
Reference: FOI/202500494528
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs official engagements and Government business on 19th November 2025: FOI release

Please provide a fully detailed diary of the government business undertaken by Angela Constance on 19th November 2025.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-17
Reference: FOI/202500494536
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

First Minister’s artwork query: FOI release

The total cost involved in selecting, moving, removing, and installing artwork in the First Minister’s office in the Scottish Parliament and St Andrew’s House since 6 May 2024.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2026-02-16
Reference: FOI/202500494343
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Number of working days Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has spent in Scotland: FOI release

So far this month (November 2025) and up to the date of this FOI, could you supply me with how many working days Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has spent in Scotland and how many days he has spent outwith Scotland on government business.

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-02-16
Reference: FOI/202500496304
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Details of dinner at Bute House with the Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre: FOI release

For the dinner with Alan Cumming, artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre on 17/2/25, please provide details of who was in attendance, the full menu provided, and an itemised breakdown of the £615.55 costs, including all alcohol consumed.

FOI unclear 75 score 5 working days correspondence ministers spending 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-16
Reference: FOI/202500494495
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector