Scottish Government FOI Index

21,792releases indexed

39,278attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

8,073partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,073 unclear 7,195 not held 3,052 released 1,533 already published 668 cost limit 605 clarification 348 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4905 s.20 4252 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3455 s.30 2866 s.17(1) 2763 s.25(1) 2372 s.10(4) 1971 s.11(2) 1559 s.29(1) 1168 s.2 1152 s.3 903

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 1,275 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 961 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 919 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 859 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 725 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 631 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

766 matching releases

Scottish Ministerial Device Handover: FOI release

1) Whether the Scottish Government devices of George Adam, Emma Roddick, Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater were all handed in following their departure from the Scottish Government. 2) What will happen to the emails/WhatsApp/Instant/Text messages that were stored on those devices. For example, will they be stored on the...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending whatsapp

Published: 2024-09-04
Reference: FOI/202400413101
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

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

Former First Minister Bute House guests lists: FOI release

A list of every visitor/guest to Bute House since Humza Yousaf became First Minister and the number of times each guest has visited.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400409833
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Impartiality of the Scottish Government with regards to political messaging: FOI release

All internal discussions on handling this (202400408775) request. This should include any email correspondence relating to it; any Teams messages relating to it; any documents produced which outlined the assessment made of the balance of public interest test; its inclusion in any summaries going to SCS, Special Adviser...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400413226
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Responses to Ministerial Code breach complaints: FOI release

Scottish Government's response to a previous FoI request (dated 15 March 2024, case reference: 202400401399) which had asked for the text of the 20 most recent complaints against Scottish Ministers that were reviewed against the Scottish Ministerial Code, and asked for: "copies of the Scottish Government's response and...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400420598
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government’s travel and subsistence policy information: FOI release

At last week's First Minister's Questions, The First Minister repeatedly said that Mr Matheson had paid back every penny of the expenses claimed (for roaming charges), so there was no cost to the taxpayer. Given this statement I wish to understand the total cost incurred for all investigations, parliamentary time, res...

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400415817
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Stewart Milne Group housebuilders, greyhound ban, holiday homes council tax, alcohol levy and Middle East Eye interview: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent about Stewart Milne Group housebuilders, including internally, briefings and minutes from any meetings about the company, from between November 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. All briefings and analysis produced by or for the Scottish Government about the ban on greyhound ra...

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 73 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400402718
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Economy, Housing, International, +1 more … Public sector

Scottish Government and Parliament definitions: FOI release

1. What is the Scottish Government ? 2. How many elected individuals form part of the Scottish Government? 3. What is the difference between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament?

FOI unclear 55 score 4 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400418666
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Parliamentary Portfolio Questions session of 20th March 2024 on Constitution, External Affairs and Culture: FOI release

1. The date on which the Parliamentary Portfolio Questions session of 20th March 2024 on Constitution, External Affairs and Culture was entered into the Ministerial Diary of the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture 2. Any other engagements in the Cabinet Secretary's diary on 20th March 2024...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.27(1)

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400412097
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, 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

Ministerial responsibilities assigned to Former Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity: EIR release

1. The official list of Ministerial responsibilities assigned to Lorna Slater MSP, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity at September 2021. 2. The official list of Ministerial responsibilities assigned to Lorna Slater MSP, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity at April 2023...

FOI/EIR released 100 score 12 working days correspondence ministers s.6(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-02
Reference: EIR/202400408234
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Letter to the Former First Minister from Ash Regan: FOI release

So it’s just been said on the radio and the tele that Ash Regan has written to the First Minister and that it has to do with the vote of no confidence that he could face. She apparently wrote it today. 1. I’d like to have a copy of that letter or whatever for it was delivered to the First Minister. Her words to him. I...

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-02
Reference: FOI/202400411202
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

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

Scottish Budget, Former First Minister's Cabinet reshuffle and trip to Qatar: FOI release

1. All correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Institute for Fiscal Studies about the budget, including internal correspondence, notes, briefings and minutes from any meetings, between December 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including...

FOI already published 80 score 44 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) s.2(1) s.39 s.41 s.47 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400399489
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Economy, Public sector

Freedom of Information (FoI) requests for consideration by Special Advisers: FOI release

1) Since the start of 2024, please provide a list of the FOI's which have been subject to consideration by the FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot email address and/or Special Adviser emails. 2) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot and the FOI Unit since January 1, 2024. 3) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400406282
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Decision Notice 045/2024: FOI release

1) Can you provide me with a list of ministers who received the one-on-one sessions on record keeping as mentioned in the decision notice, and confirm if the First Minister was one of them? 2) Can you confirm when these took place, and who delivered them? 3) Can you confirm if Special Advisers were also trained on th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400406748
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

UK Covid-19 Inquiry correspondence sent to the Former Deputy First Minister between 3 July – 16 July 2023: FOI release

A copy of correspondence (email, letter and informal messages) including references to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry sent to the Deputy First Minister or her office between 3 July – 16 July 2023 (inclusive). Please provide all copies of attachments sent alongside this correspondence.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-29
Reference: FOI/202400394936
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

UK Covid-19 Inquiry correspondence sent to the Former Deputy First Minister between 1 Oct 2023 – 15 Oct 2023: FOI release

A copy of correspondence (email, letter and informal messages) including references to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry sent to the Deputy First Minister or her office between 1 October 2023 – 15 October 2023 (inclusive). Please provide all copies of attachments sent alongside this correspondence.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-29
Reference: FOI/202400394938
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

UK Covid-19 Inquiry correspondence sent to the Former Deputy First Minister between 26 June 2023 – 2 July 2023: FOI release

A copy of correspondence (email, letter and informal messages) including references to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry sent to the Deputy First Minister or her office between 26 June 2023 – 2 July 2023 (inclusive). For each request please provide all copies of attachments sent alongside this correspondence.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-29
Reference: FOI/202400394961
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Freedom of Information request response times: FOI release

The top 3 slowest FOI responses in each of the last 5 years, including the total length of time it took to respond to each FOI and a short description of the subject of the FOI.

FOI/EIR released 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20

Published: 2024-08-27
Reference: FOI/202400422728
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Data Roaming costs incurred by Former Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care of Scotland: FOI release

“Please provide details of all communication Scottish Government officials, special advisers and ministers had with Police Scotland about the data roaming costs incurred by Health Secretary Michael Matheson on a December 2022/January 2023 trip to Morocco, including discussions around police complaints, in the period fr...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300385206
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: 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 policy proposals and reform: FOI release

1. How much money has been spent on the Scottish Government looking into FOI reform over the last five years, with a breakdown of each year and what the money has been spent on? 2. How many consultations has the government published about this topic and similar FOI reform over the last ten years, with a list of these?...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.17(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300386939
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

UK Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee: FOI release

All correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) relating to the Minister for Transport’s invitation to give evidence to the UK Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee on Monday 11 Septem...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 59 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.17(1) s.1 s.38 s.29(1) s.27(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2024-08-14
Reference: FOI/202300377285
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills