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

1,312 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

Breakdown of spend on social media videos featuring First Minister since May 2024: FOI release

1. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received (including internal), which is to/from or mentions the Scottish Information Commissioner, between February 15 2026 and March 25 2026? 2. How much has the Scottish Government spent on social media videos involving John Swinney since May 2024, with a breakdown per...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.12(1) s.20 s.12 s.17(1)

Published: 2026-08-25
Reference: FOI/202600515097
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Number of paid influencers, creators, and public figures used by Scottish Government: FOI release

The total number of paid social media influencers, creators, or public figures used for campaigns, promotions, or advertisements by the Scottish Government, for each year of 2024 and 2025 - as well as 2026 to date. I would like the number of influencers used broken down by year. Please note: I am not asking for any co...

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-08-24
Reference: FOI/202600515468
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government spend on defence against Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

How much has the Scottish Government spent on defending itself against the Scottish Information Commissioner over the last five years, with a breakdown per year and what the money was spent on?

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.14(2) s.14V

Published: 2026-08-19
Reference: FOI/202600513612
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

FOI requests submitted to the Scottish Government by the BBC & STV in 2025: FOI Review

Original request: 202600513933 (1) The total number of FOI requests made to the Scottish Government by the bbc in 2025 (2) The total number of FOI requests made to the Scottish Government by STV in 2025

FOI unclear 50 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence

Published: 2026-08-19
Reference: FOI/202600515534 Review of 202600513933
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

First Minister and former First Ministers' correspondence with former Lord Advocate: FOI release

I would like the following information under the FOI (Scotland) Act: When did John Swinney last speak with Dorothy Bain? When did Nicola Sturgeon last speak with Dorothy Bain?

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

Published: 2026-08-17
Reference: FOI/202600519017
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Notes and feedback from 2026 ministerial exit interviews: FOI Review

Original request 202600516145 Under FOI, please provide copies of all notes and feedback taken from ministerial exit interviews for the current outgoing set of Ministers in 2026.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2026-08-17
Reference: FOI/202600520156 review of 202600516145
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Administrative records and metadata of Principal Private Secretary for the First Minister communication: FOI release

I am requesting factual, administrative records held by the Scottish Government relating to the text message received by the Principal Private Secretary for the First Minister John Webster on 30 April 2026 at 19:32, as referenced in the official transcription note. For clarity, I am not requesting any content of commu...

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

Published: 2026-08-13
Reference: FOI/202600519688
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: 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

Social media spend: FOI release

With regards to a) The Scottish Government as a whole and b) Individual Ministers, for the financial year 2025-26: 1) The total amount spent by a) and b) on paid subscriptions to social media platforms including but not limited to X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, YouTube etc. 2) The total amount spent by a) and b) on ...

FOI not held 45 score 8 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.2 s.17(1) s.27(1)

Published: 2026-08-10
Reference: FOI/202600521350
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: 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

First Minister and Presiding Officer correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence between John Swinney and/or his office and the Presiding Officer, from the last three months.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2026-08-10
Reference: FOI/202600517430
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information regarding the Scottish Government’s marketing and communications activity for the SARCS (Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service) campaign: FOI release

Information regarding the Scottish Government’s marketing and communications activity for the SARCS (Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service) campaign: 1. Total campaign spend Total budget allocated to the SARCS marketing campaign for each financial year since its launch Total actual spend for each financial yea...

FOI cost limit 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence briefings contracts spending s.12 s.5 2 attachments

Published: 2026-08-04
Reference: FOI/202500497828
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Late Freedom of Information responses that were delayed by Special Advisers: FOI release

Of the FOIs that have been returned late in the last six months, how many have been delayed by Special Advisers? Can you provide the communication from Special Advisers requesting delays for each of these case? On the 27/02/26 we sent a request for clarification to you asking: Of the FOI responses that have been ret...

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.17(1)

Published: 2026-07-28
Reference: FOI/202600507926
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government and Transport Scotland advertising expenditure: FOI release

How much money the Scottish Government (and bodies within its accounting boundary excluding NHS Health Boards) are spending on adverts in 2026 so far. The cost of each advert should be provided (both production and the cost of buying the airtime on the TV channel/social media platform etc). Please also state which bod...

FOI not held 40 score 16 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-07-28
Reference: FOI/202600508168
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Breakdown of spend on Scottish Government Net Zero campaign: FOI release

With reference to the campaign to highlight heat pump installation and the need to drive less announced on 11th February 2026 - the total sum of money budgeted by the Scottish Government to spend on said campaign, and an itemisation of how and where this campaign funding is expected to be spent on each of the heat pump...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-07-28
Reference: FOI/202600506933
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government’s position regarding public holidays awarded for sporting events: FOI release

Clarification on the Scottish Government’s position regarding public holidays awarded for sporting events, and the principles guiding these decisions. Specifically, you requested a clear explanation of how decisions on public holidays are made, and whether the Scottish Government intends to adopt a more equitable appro...

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

Published: 2026-07-28
Reference: FOI/202600505927
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Online misogyny campaign advertising costs: FOI release

The total cost to the Scottish Government for their recent advertising campaign related to online misogynistic content.

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-07-28
Reference: FOI/202600507153
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Information regarding filming activity on Scottish Government premises: FOI release

Information on any filming activity your organisation has facilitated, hosted, supported, approved, or otherwise been directly involved in on your premises or in your area. This includes activity where a fee was charged as well as activity where no fee was charged, but where the organisation was aware of and involved i...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.20

Published: 2026-07-28
Reference: FOI/202600505731
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture working days outwith Scotland: 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 2024.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-07-27
Reference: FOI/202600501562
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

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

Calendar entries for selected Ministers for August 2025: FOI release

The calendar of the Minister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy and Sport for the month of August 2025 with the specific hours of each meeting/item. For example, between 1pm and 2pm on X date the Minister met with Y. The calendar of the Minister for Higher and Further Education and Minister for Veterans for the month of Augus...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-07-24
Reference: FOI/202600500670
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government fixated correspondent policy: FOI release

You asked for the ‘fixated subject list policy.’

FOI released 70 score 15 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-07-23
Reference: FOI/202600503840
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

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