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

144 matching releases

Communications related to Scottish Information Commissioner decision notice: FOI release

"For thoroughness, and to eliminate any need for any investigation of the Authority under section 65 of FOISA, the Authority was invited to assist the Commissioner by requesting a voluntary affidavit from the named Special Adviser. It was requested that this clarify the named Special Adviser’s role in the redaction pro...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.65 s.30 s.36(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500470557
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence regarding former First Minister's Memoir: FOI release

Regarding Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir ‘Frankly’ that is to be published: Any internal Scottish Government correspondence between 1 January 2023 and present discussing Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir, including any involvement by civil servants, special advisers, or ministers. All communications between the First Minister’s priv...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-18
Reference: FOI/202500465697
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Costs for Special Advisers and Press Officers: FOI release

Could you supply the total spend on Scottish Government Special advisers and press officers for the 24/25 financial year, as well as the same totals for the three previous years, and a breakdown per year?

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

Published: 2025-09-04
Reference: FOI/202500468580
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Special Advisers and ChatGPT documentation: FOI release

Any recorded transcripts, logs, outputs, or other documentation of interactions between Scottish Government Special Advisers and ChatGPT or any other large language model (LLM) from January 1, 2025, to June 18, 2025. This includes any saved chats, screenshots, exported files, or other relevant records held by the Scot...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-06
Reference: FOI/202500471620
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government's news release on the UK Government's Spending Review: FOI release

1. All government correspondence (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers and Press Officers) involved in the drafting of the Scottish Government's news release on the UK Government's Spending Review: https://www.gov.scot/news/spending-review-presents-challenges/ 2. A full list of all people inside the S...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500470477
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial salary increase timing and messaging records: FOI Review

Original request 202500462016 Access to records related to the timing and public messaging of the recent ministerial salary increase. Specifically: 1. **Internal Communications:** - Emails, meeting minutes, and memos between the Office of the First Minister and the Public Relations teams discussing how the timing of ...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.2 s.25 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-30
Reference: FOI/202500466490 Review of 202500462016
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister travel costs for Orkney and London trips: FOI release

Could you supply full costs of travel for John Swinney's trips to Orkney and London in February, and full costs of travel and method for any civil servants/spads who travelled with him?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending

Published: 2025-06-24
Reference: FOI/202500455966
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Correspondence regarding Former First Minister memoirs: FOI release

You requested the following information: 1. Any information held on advice provided to Nicola Sturgeon about the Radcliffe Rules around political memoirs. 2. Whether Nicola Sturgeon has submitted a manuscript of her memoir, Frankly, to the Permanent Secretary for approval under those rules. 3. A copy of any part of ...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.3 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-06-09
Reference: FOI/202500458988
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information regarding the Ministerial Statement: Legal Advice Relating to Scottish Information Commissioner Decision: FOI Review

Original request 202400445432 1) All briefing notes provided to ministers (e.g. John Swinney, Jamie Hepburn) in preparation of the statement to the Scottish Parliament on the 29th of October: Ministerial Statement: Legal Advice Relating to Scottish Information Commissioner Decision by civil servants, SPADs and anyone ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 2 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.21(4) s.25 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.30 6 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452157 Review of 202400445432
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Criteria for responding to FOI requests: FOI release

1) It is a requirement that SPADs and/or the FM's chief of staff clear FOI responses from civil servants in the FOI unit? 2) How many FOIs were received by the Scottish Government in 2024, and how many of these were cleared by SPADs and/or FM's chief of staff before release? 3) What is the purpose of the following em...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.3 s.12 s.25(1) s.5

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500447375
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Special Advisers relationship with Freedom of Information requests: FOI Review

Original request 202500447375 1) It is a requirement that SPADs and/or the FM's chief of staff clear FOI responses from civil servants in the FOI unit? 2) How many FOIs were received by the Scottish Government in 2024, and how many of these were cleared by SPADs and/or FM's chief of staff before release? 3) What is ...

FOI clarification 50 score 8 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452341 Review of 202500447375
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Meeting between Special Adviser and Shell UK Limited: FOI release

Information regarding the meeting between Davie Hutchison and Shell U.K. Limited at the Scottish Parliament on the 5th of September 2024. A full list of attendees, including full names and titles as well as those who the attendee represents A copy of the meeting agenda Meeting notes/minutes taken during the meeting, a...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence special advisers briefings meetings s.17

Published: 2025-03-13
Reference: FOI/202500451632
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Freedom of Information requests received regarding ministerial trip to Scottish League Cup Final: FOI release

How many FOI requests about Neil Gray's ministerial trip to the Scottish League Cup Final on December 17 have been made, and how many were registered as sensitive and were sent to Special Advisers for comment and onwards to Ministers for clearance? Could you supply each of these "sensitive" FOI requests, who they went...

FOI unclear 50 score 4 working days correspondence ministers special advisers

Published: 2025-02-20
Reference: FOI/202500451289
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and Elon Musk: FOI release

Any emails sent by Scottish government special advisers which mention Elon Musk between January 1st and today, January 7th. Any emails sent by Scottish government media officers (press officers) which mention Elon Musk between January 1st and today, January 7th. Any emails sent by, or on behalf of, Scottish government ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.32(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-14
Reference: FOI/202500446991
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information requests sent to Special Advisers and Ministers: FOI release

1. How many FOI requests have been sent to Special Advisers and Ministers in the last 12 months, and how many haven't been sent in the same time period? 2. Could you detail which one they had been sent to i.e Special Adviser or Minister or both?

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.20

Published: 2025-02-14
Reference: FOI/202500448221
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Training days attended by Special Advisers: FOI release

A breakdown of costs associated with any away days or training days attended by Special Advisers (SpAds) over the past five years. Details of the dates, locations, and purposes of these events.

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-01-22
Reference: FOI/202400444261
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Pay grades or salary bands for current Special Advisors: FOI release

1. An updated list of all current Special Advisers (SpAds) employed by the Scottish Government. 2. The pay grades or salary bands for each individual SpAd.

FOI unclear 55 score 10 working days correspondence special advisers s.25(1)

Published: 2025-01-21
Reference: FOI/202400444257
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Directorate for Communications and Ministerial Support staffing, specific spend details and Ministerial code guidance: FOI release

1. The total number of staff employed in the Directorate of Comms, Ministerial Support and Facilities (also known as Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate) in each of the following financial years: 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and currently in 2024-25, broken down by pay scale. 2. What training cour...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.3 s.5 s.17(1) s.9 4 attachments

Published: 2024-12-17
Reference: FOI/202400437904
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Costs for the First Minister to visit Germany for the European Football Championships: FOI release

The total cost including flights and personal expenses for Mr. Swinney and his accompanying staff for the visit they made to Germany for the European Football Championships.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.39(1)

Published: 2024-10-04
Reference: FOI/202400426320
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

E-mails received from Stephen Flynn: FOI release

1. All emails received by Scottish Ministers or their Special Advisers from the email: stephen.flynn.mp@parliament.uk. Please provide any emails received between 6 December 2022 and the present date. 2. Where emails have been received by Scottish Ministers or their Special Advisers from stephen.flynn.mp@parliament.uk ...

FOI released 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers

Published: 2024-09-24
Reference: FOI/202400423927
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Puberty Blocker Correspondence: FOI release

Under FOI I would please like to request all correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) between ministers of the scottish Government and their special advisors mentioning the term 'pube...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-18
Reference: FOI/202400410045
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Health and social care, Public sector

Former First Minister's speech to the SNP conference: FOI release

All correspondence between the Permanent Secretary and/or his office and the First Minister and/or his private office or Special Advisers relating to the First Minister's speech to the SNP conference on 17/10/23. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include all emails or other electronic communications of any other ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-17
Reference: FOI/202400396121
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Resignation of Mr Matheson as Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care: FOI release

The exact time and format in which Michael Matheson first informed Humza Yousaf of his resignation as Health Secretary and please provide the documentary evidence of this (the original email/WhatsApp/text) as well as Humza Yousaf's response). All discussions from the Scottish Government planning press lines or media r...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-17
Reference: FOI/202400398386
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

Response time statistics for Freedom of Information requests: FOI release

The mean, median and maximum response times for an FOI to the Scottish Government for each month of the last five years. The number and percentage of FOIs that were referred to Special Advisers for each month of the last five years. The mean, median and maximum response times for all FOIs referred to Special Advisers...

FOI/EIR released 100 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-11
Reference: FOI/202400422721
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector