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

Minister for Independence office staff structure: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles, not names of individuals) for the Minister for Independence office, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government. The pay grades for each st...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-17
Reference: 202300358401
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance office staff structure: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles, not names of individuals) for the Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance office, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government. The...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-17
Reference: 202300358404
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Minister for Energy office staff structure: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles, not names of individuals) for the Minister for Energy office, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government. The pay grades for each staff me...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-17
Reference: 202300358406
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding the Scottish Conservatives Removal of Office and Recall Bill: FOI release

Copies of any correspondence (briefing, letters, emails, handwritten notes, memos, minutes of calls, minutes of meetings, attachments and/ore otherwise) from and/or to civil servants and/or Special Advisers and/or Scottish Government MSPs regarding the Scottish Conservatives Removal of Office and Recall Bill.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-16
Reference: 202300361918
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government ministers and Kevin Pringle: FOI release

You asked for any correspondence between Scottish Government ministers [or Scottish Government special advisers] and the recently appointed head of communications and strategic political adviser, Kevin Pringle, from 30 March 2023 to present.

FOI released 100 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-12
Reference: 202300360953
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Royal Household handling of requests: FOI release

Accordingly, please provide any information held by the Scottish Government in relation to the following matters: How any request by the Royal Household for information in relation to a Bill for which consent is sought, or any objection to the Bill’s content, are to be handled, including any general policies or practi...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.20 s.30 s.36(1) s.41

Published: 2023-10-11
Reference: 202300359750
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Documentation regarding ministerial briefing preferences: FOI release

The content of all documentation regarding Ministerial preferences detailing how current Scottish Government Ministers prefer their briefings, speeches and correspondence to be prepared and handled.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-11
Reference: 202300360682
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government media and social media monitoring: FOI release

Information about the Scottish Government's activity with regard to media monitoring and social media monitoring.

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-10
Reference: 202300360780
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial diary of Keith Brown: FOI release

You asked for "Copies of the ministerial diary of Keith Brown (in his role as Minister for Transport), dated June 2014 – October 2014. I would appreciate if these were provided to me in electronic format (via email) & I am contactable on this email address. While I trust that the requested information is not too wide...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)

Published: 2023-09-28
Reference: 202300337918
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister hotel expense claim: FOI Release

Please can I request a copy of the bill or receipt provided for the former First Minister’s hotel expense claim on 19th March, as detailed in the March 2023 ministerial engagements documents: https://www.gov.scot/publications/ministerial-engagements-travel-and-gifts-march-2023/ Please could a fully itemised bill for ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-09-26
Reference: FOI-202300366147
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

First Minister historic apologies: FOI release

The following information relating to historic apologies issued by the First Minister since the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament: How many historic apologies have been issued, and to whom, for what? What reparations, if any, were made alongside the apologies granted? How many requests for historic apologies are ...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers contracts

Published: 2023-09-19
Reference: FOI/202300371304
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet discussions on hydrogen, heat pumps and heat networks: FOI release

1. The number of times that hydrogen has been discussed at cabinet since 29 March 2023; 2. The number of times that heat pumps and heat networks have been discussed at cabinet since 29 March 2023.

FOI unclear 50 score 4 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2023-09-14
Reference: 202300359854
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister's trip to London on 20 March 2023: FOI release

Please provide the following information in relation to the First Minister's trip to London on 20 March 2023. How long did the trip last? Please list the stopping points on the trip (eg Loose Women, address). What was the total cost of the trip including a breakdown of individual costs (flights, trains, accommodatio...

FOI partially withheld 60 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2023-09-14
Reference: 202300348208
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public Sector

Angus Robertson's time abroad: FOI Release

You asked for: How many days this year has Angus Robertson not been in Scotland for (up to the date of this FOI?) List all of the foreign trips to countries outside of Scotland he has taken and their dates. The total amount spent on trips outside of Scotland that he has been on? What is his budget for trips outside...

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

Published: 2023-09-14
Reference: 202200331592
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence between the First Minister and Patrick Harvie, Andrew Wilson and Ian Blackford: FOI review

In your original request, dated 5 January 2023, you asked for: any correspondence between the First Minister, either directly, on her behalf, or by her office or assistants, and Patrick Harvie of the Scottish Greens between 01-June-2021 and 31-August- 2021. This would include all correspondence, ie emails, texts, dire...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending whatsapp s.12 s.17(1)

Published: 2023-09-12
Reference: 202300343738 review of 202300336762
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Charges to the Scottish Government relating to attending the Queen's Funeral: FOI release

1. Did the Scottish Government pay for Nicola Sturgeon to head to London for the Queen's funeral and if so, how much did it cost, how did she get there and where did she stay? Breakdown of these costs. 2. Did the Scottish Government pay for Lorna Slater to head to London for the Queen's funeral and if so, how much did...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.3

Published: 2023-09-11
Reference: 202200322855
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Progress of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill: FOI release

I understand there was a cabinet meeting in January 2022 where the decision to progress the Gender Recognition Reform Bill was taken. Could you please provide the date, time and names of MSPs present at this meeting.

FOI released 70 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings

Published: 2023-09-11
Reference: 202300345855
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister Humza Yousaf event attendance requirements: FOI release

Please provide us with any riders (requests, demands and criteria) provided to any event organisers and venues relating to visits by First Minister Humza Yousaf. Please include any correspondence relating to technical and hospitality details as well as the relevant event information.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2023-09-04
Reference: FOI/202300369998
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Social media accounts blocked by First Minister: FOI release

A list of social media accounts blocked by the First Minister. Please provide a breakdown by social media platform (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, etc.) and include the relevant blocked username.

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2023-08-29
Reference: FOI/202300370057
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Royal Approval for travel by First Minister: FOI release

Paragraph 9.10 of the Scottish Ministerial Code [1] notes that the First Minister (with one exception) requires the permission of the King to travel abroad. Therefore, I would like to request the disclosure of the following pair of documents, viz. any letter from the office of the First Minister requesting permission...

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2023-08-29
Reference: FOI/202300368959
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC) ruling 004/2023: FOI release

The cost of any legal advice - either from the Scottish Government's legal directorate or from external advisers/counsel - in regards to the decision to challenge the SIC ruling 004/2023. Any internal correspondence among senior civil servants, special advisers, and ministers (including any attachments or referenced br...

FOI withheld 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.36(1)

Published: 2023-08-29
Reference: FOI/202300368377
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial car arrangements March 2023: FOI release

1. Copies of any enquiries from ministers/representatives of ministers on whether the service would be available from the pub on March 23. 2. Any internal discussion within the SG over whether use of the car service for this event would be appropriate, and any responses to ministers/their representatives. 3. Any corres...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2023-08-21
Reference: FOI/202300366303
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Former First Minister trip to London March 2023: FOI release

1) Under FOI could I please request all correspondence related to Nicola Sturgeon's travel arrangements for her trip to London on March 19-20, 2023. This should include, for example, any discussion around whether to book economy or business class flights and what sort of hotel she would stay in. 2) Could you please als...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.3 s.17(1) s.39(1)

Published: 2023-08-21
Reference: FOI/202300365915
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

SNP cars for Former First Minister: FOI release

I would like to know if Nicola sturgeon receives any car service paid for by the Scottish taxes? I would like to know what additional salary or spending is give to Nicola Sturgeon?

FOI unclear 50 score 10 working days correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2023-08-14
Reference: FOI/202300363581
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Minister for Independence - meetings with Ross Greer MSP: FOI release

What is the reason for Ross Greer meeting with Jamie Hepburn? What is the reason for these meetings to be changed to fortnightly? Minutes of this meeting. What time this meeting took place and what time it finished.

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings

Published: 2023-07-26
Reference: FOI/202300362785
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector