Scottish Government FOI Index

21,863releases indexed

39,476attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

8,112partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-05-20newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,112 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4931 s.20 4280 s.34(1) 3589 s.39(2) 3481 s.30 2878 s.17(1) 2774 s.25(1) 2381 s.10(4) 1987 s.11(2) 1571 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1158 s.3 908

Timeline

2026-05 410 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 1,279 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 967 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 923 releases · 31.0 avg days Learning Directorate 861 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 729 releases · 39.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 633 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

8 matching releases

Permanent Secretary correspondence: FOI release

Under FOI I would like to request all correspondence and notes of meetings between Joe Griffin and ministers in January 2026 to date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600509753
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Classification and ancillary costs of former First Minister's travel to Qatar: FOI release

I am requesting information regarding the decision-making process, classification, and public expenditure related to trips undertaken by the former First Minister, Humza Yousaf, to Qatar between 29 March 2023 and 7 May 2024. Please provide: 1. Trip Classification Protocol: Any internal correspondence, briefing notes,...

FOI not held 45 score 12 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.39 s.30 s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-03
Reference: FOI/202500496383
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Raising of Palestinian flag on Scottish Government buildings: FOI Review

Original Request - 202500483555 “Publish all correspondence (including those of the First Minister and his advisors and “spin doctors”) relating to the raising of the Palestinian flag. These communications should include all warnings and impact assessments done into the repercussions (especially from the Jewish/Israel...

FOI not held 70 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-10
Reference: FOI/202500488559 Review of 202500483555
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Consideration of Section 5 FOISA Designation of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and other bodies: FOI release

1. Has the Scottish Government considered, since 1 January 2020, the designation of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) as a Scottish public authority under section 5 of FOISA? Please provide any internal or external legal advice, ministerial submissions, policy papers, or correspondence on this subje...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.5 s.3 6 attachments

Published: 2025-12-02
Reference: FOI/202500481032
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information guidance, monitoring the social media profiles of journalists and sex offender name changing: FOI release

1. Could you supply the full internal guidance/guidebook for dealing with FOIs which the Scottish Government abide by, including whether Special Advisers are given first look at them, and what details they are provided with? 2. Could you supply details about whether the Scottish Government monitor the social media pro...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-02
Reference: FOI/202400408156
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Law and order, Public sector

Records of Ministerial decisions: FOI release

How decisions taken by Scottish ministers are recorded and specifically: The system used. The information recorded for each decision (eg: date, minister’s name, summary of decision) and a summary of categories (eg positive policy decision, negative funding decision). What other information is recorded on this system (...

FOI unclear 50 score 4 working days correspondence ministers briefings

Published: 2024-04-24
Reference: FOI/202400408757
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence mentioning "offshore wind": FOI release

All email correspondence sent (1st August 2021 - date) by Liz Lloyd, Strategic Policy and Political Adviser to the First Minister of Scotland, and mentioning "offshore wind".

FOI partially withheld 65 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.28(1)

Published: 2023-11-29
Reference: 202200333689
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

System for Ministerial Advice: FOI release

Is there a system to ensure that the advice which ministers receive is appropriate? If so, is there a record of whether they chose to act upon it?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings

Published: 2023-11-13
Reference: FOI/202300374187
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector