Scottish Government FOI Index

19,099releases indexed

31,532attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

7,049partially withheld

2018-11-16oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 7,049 unclear 6,352 not held 2,688 released 1,289 already published 610 cost limit 529 clarification 306 withheld 208 transferred 68

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4381 s.20 3726 s.34(1) 3480 s.39(2) 2967 s.30 2536 s.17(1) 2457 s.25(1) 2090 s.10(4) 1747 s.11(2) 1413 s.29(1) 1021 s.2 1021 s.3 800

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 1,082 releases · 27.9 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 858 releases · 31.1 avg days Marine Directorate 802 releases · 29.6 avg days Learning Directorate 714 releases · 34.4 avg days Population Health Directorate 607 releases · 28.7 avg days Economic Development Directorate 577 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 573 releases · 36.1 avg days People Directorate 536 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

58 matching releases

Information pertaining to Scottish Information Commissioner decision 004/2023: FOI release

In relation to the legal advice released by the Scottish Government in October 2024 in relation SIC decision notice 004/2023 and the court case XA10/23. The following passages exist: "It shows that Ministers failed to convey accurately the true position when making submissions to the Commissioner" and "Scottish Minist...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.3 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452221
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Former Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport WhatsApp messages during the COVID-19 pandemic: FOI Review

Original request (202400395588) I wish to make a Freedom of Information Request for MSP Maree Todds WhatsApp messages from her ministeral role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 61 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.37(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400405863 Review of 202400395588
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Access to Information Rights in Scotland: FOI release

You set your request in context by referencing the Scottish Government’s response to the Access to Information Rights in Scotland consultation: Access to Information Rights in Scotland Response to analysis of consultation responses published in November 2023, noting the following commitments made by the Scottish Govern...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.4 s.6 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.36(1) s.29(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-18
Reference: FOI/202500450915
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Freedom of Information request queries: FOI release

1. In case the Scottish Government does not currently have resources to answer all of the questions to a Freedom of Information request, what questions does the Scottish Government select from the request? Will the questions be answered in order, or will only the easiest questions be answered, or anything else? 2. How...

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence briefings s.14 s.60 s.20

Published: 2025-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500447643
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Legal costs incurred to challenge the release of information: FOI release

Any legal costs incurred over the last five years by the Scottish Government or other agencies to challenge the release of information requested via freedom of information requests. Costs may include those paid to lawyers and external barristers. Please provide details of every legal case.

FOI unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-01-31
Reference: FOI/202500446774
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Legal advice given to the Scottish Government/ministers in reference to The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23): FOI Appeal

Original request - 202300390057 All legal advice given to the Scottish Government/ministers in reference to the court case known as The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23). This includes legal advice given in relation to the decision to appeal, as well as advice i...

FOI unclear 80 score 160 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-26
Reference: FOI/202400394394 - Appeal
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Communications between the Scottish Government and UK monarchy: FOI release

Please share any communications exchanged between the government and the UK monarchy or their representatives from 21 February 2023 to the present date, which relate to: Laws and Legislation The Crown Estate Property or assets owned by the monarchy Crown consent Carbon emissions Deer Please include all communication ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.41 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-16
Reference: FOI/202400431736
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Law Society of Scotland: FOI release

An explanation as to ‘why the Law Society of Scotland is not listed by you as a public authority under the FOIA 2002 - this means that freedom of information requests cannot be made to them’.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-08
Reference: FOI/202400426941
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

WhatsApp/Text Messages related to Appeal 202100255908: FOI release

Regarding this FOI Appeal https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202100255908/ Please release all the information not released or disclosed or that had a redaction applied in the above FOI request as it is now credible that exemptions applied may have being misapplied or misused, in order to not release some or all of ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.26 s.30 s.28(1) s.29(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-04
Reference: FOI/202400426366
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner: Court of Session case costs : FOI release

Could you please provide me with all costs the Scottish Government incurred in relation to the Court of Session case Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner, which was heard on December 6. https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/supreme-courts/about-the-court-of-session/livestream-hearings/case-xa1...

FOI unclear 50 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2024-09-13
Reference: FOI/202300388530
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Spring Budget communications campaign: FOI Review

Original request (202400403341) You recently engaged in a communications campaign, e.g. https://x.com/scotgov/status/1766116922909692407 The text reads: “The UK Spring Budget has failed to deliver the funding Scotland needs for public services. National Insurance cuts in the Spring Budget and Autumn Statement have ...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38 s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-11
Reference: FOI/202400413228 Review of 202400403341
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Scottish Budget

Spring Budget communications campaign: FOI release

You recently engaged in a communications campaign, e.g. https://x.com/scotgov/status/1766116922909692407 The text reads: “The UK Spring Budget has failed to deliver the funding Scotland needs for public services. National Insurance cuts in the Spring Budget and Autumn Statement have cost £20 billion. This means Scotl...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.17 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-05
Reference: FOI/202400403341
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, 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

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

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

Various meetings and correspondence relating to former First Ministers: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government to Back Off Scotland and all briefings written for ministers about the group between March 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. Did Humza Yousaf issue an instruction to his cabinet to support Nicola Sturgeon in June after her arrest and all written minist...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.38(1) 8 attachments

Published: 2024-08-12
Reference: FOI/202300374275
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Redactions in WhatsAPP/text message documents: FOI Review

Original request 202400404999 All of the "out of scope" redactions in the document at https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi[1]202100255908/ 2. The extent of the redacted material within the 106 page document by using black block within the released document over the redacted content.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 50 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.36(1) s.38(2A) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-07
Reference: FOI/202400410703 Review of 202400404999
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information pertaining to WhatsApp messages: FOI Appeal

Request 1: I am writing to you to request the following information. For the month of August 2021, any WhatsApp messages or text messages sent or received by any government minister on government business. Request 2: I am writing to you to request the following information. For the entire month of March, 2021 (inc...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 88 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.17 s.26 s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.19 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-15
Reference: FOI Appeal of 202100255908 / 202100255912
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cost of legal actions incurred regarding investigation into Former First Minister: FOI release

Can I request the total cost of all the Scottish Government legal action regarding the FOI request to see evidence submitted by SG to James Hamilton’s investigation into Nicola Sturgeon? Can you give a breakdown of how this cost was incurred?

FOI unclear 50 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2024-02-28
Reference: FOI/202300388343
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Jason Leitch WhatsApp messages: FOI release

Correspondence on the topic of how to respond to a media enquiry from The Times newspaper about Jason Leitch deleting his WhatsApp messages each day and any resulting follow-up enquiry by other journalists or publications. This should include, but not be limited to, discussions between civil servants, special advisers,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.30 s.38 s.36 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-20
Reference: FOI/202400394859
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

National Clinical Director WhatsApp messages: FOI release

All internal communications, including emails and informal electronic communications, which relate to the gathering of information in relation to this denial, the formulation of the denial and the signing off of the denial ("It is not correct to suggest that the National Clinical Director deleted every WhatsApp message...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.30 s.38 s.36 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-20
Reference: FOI/202400394753
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government legal case costs: FOI release

In reference to the court case known as The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23) what were the Scottish Governments legal costs associated with defending this case which they lost?

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2024-02-15
Reference: FOI/202300388330
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Court of Session costs: FOI release

The total cost of the Scottish Government’s decision to appeal the FOI commissioners ruling to the Court of Session. Please include all related court/lawyers fees, all money spent on the process to appeal. Please give me a clear breakdown of the costs. (who paid for what etc).

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2024-02-15
Reference: FOI/202300390967
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Information Commissioner court case expense: FOI release

Could you provide the full cost of fighting the court case against the Information Commissioner over the James Hamilton report, with the case calling on December 6? Could you provide the full breakdown of costs?

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending

Published: 2024-02-15
Reference: FOI/202300388404
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector