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

1,279 matching releases

First Minister attending the memorial service for the late Alistair Darling: FOI release

Any electronic or postal correspondence that the Scottish Government holds regarding the First Minister attending the memorial service for the late Alistair Darling on 19 December 2023.

FOI released 100 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.31 s.38 2 attachments

Published: 2024-06-05
Reference: FOI/202300390476
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands BBC Shetland interview: FOI release

1. Who was interviewed from the Scottish Government by BBC Shetland on October 4 2023? 2. All briefing notes prepared for their interview. 3. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government setting up the interview and any correspondence sent following the interview, 4. Minutes written from the inter...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-05-21
Reference: FOI/202300390822
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Ministerial Preferences: FOI release

I would like to request the most up to date version of the document that states Ministerial preferences for how briefings, speeches and correspondence are prepared and handled.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings 2 attachments

Published: 2024-05-14
Reference: FOI/202300386996
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Consultation Good Practice handbook: FOI release

You asked for the consultation best practice handbook.

FOI released 95 score 17 working days correspondence 2 attachments

Published: 2024-05-14
Reference: FOI/202300387651
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Lorna Slater MSP, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity - Mobile phone: FOI release

I have read that on Martin Geissler's BBC Sunday Show Lorna Slater the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, revealed that she does not have a government phone. Was that statement true? If she does not have a government phone and urgent contact by telephone by or from the Minister is required, ...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2024-05-13
Reference: FOI/202300386824
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021: FOI release

How much has the SG spent in calendar year 2024 on advertising in relation to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021? The total figure should include online/social media advertising and you would like a separate breakdown for advertising on social media platforms.

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence

Published: 2024-05-02
Reference: FOI/202400409010
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Bute House Agreement meetings: FOI release

How many Scottish Government Cabinet meetings Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater have attended since the Bute House Agreement and the present day and when each of these meetings were attended for each of the two Greens ministers. I would also like to know why they attended each Cabinet meeting and what was discussed.”

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30

Published: 2024-04-30
Reference: FOI/202400402561
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

FOI requests rejected due to exceeding the cost limit and Section 29(1)(a) exemption: FOI release

1) the number of FOI requests made to the Scottish Government and its agencies which have been rejected due to exceeding the cost limit of £600 2) the number of FOI requests made to the Scottish Government and its agencies which have been rejected under the guise of the application of the Section 29(1)(a) exemption.

FOI cost limit 45 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.29(1)

Published: 2024-04-30
Reference: FOI/202400407491
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government’s TikTok advertising spend for each year from 2020 to 2024: FOI release

You asked to be provided with a breakdown of the Scottish Government’s TikTok advertising spend for each year from 2020 to 2024.

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2024-04-29
Reference: FOI/202400409050
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, 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

Social Media Management Platforms used: FOI Release

1. Do you use a Social Media Management platform? 2. If so, what tools do you use? 3. What is your annual spend on a Social Media Management tool? 4. What dates does your contract with your current supplier end (month & year)? 5. Do you use a tool for Social Listening and/or a Media Monitoring platform? 6. If so, ...

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending

Published: 2024-04-22
Reference: FOI/202400405449
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Photograph of First Minister, and Scottish Green Party Co-Leaders: FOI release

Information relating to a photograph of First Minister Humza Yousaf, Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, as linked here: https://x.com/HumzaYousaf/status/1640418687915106309?s=20.

FOI released 75 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.17

Published: 2024-04-18
Reference: FOI/202400391510
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

All emails, text messages, WhatsApp's, minutes and other forms of communications of/between Ministers, SPADs, civil servants and other Scottish Government officials regarding/referencing/discussing the court case known as The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23) up ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-04-18
Reference: FOI/202300388336
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister's family moving into Bute House: FOI release

Please provide me with any correspondence, briefing notes and memos concerning Humza Yousaf’s family moving into Bute House.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-04-16
Reference: FOI/202300384069
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Meetings the First Minister has attended between and including - 1st October 2023 and 31st January 2024: FOI release

1. A list of meetings the First Minister of Scotland has attended between and including - 1st October 2023 and 31st January 2024. 2. A list of these meetings that have minutes available as to their content. 3. A list of these meetings that do not have minutes available or minutes are not being provided for public vie...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.27(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.4

Published: 2024-04-15
Reference: FOI/202400396967
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Budget to promote Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act: FOI release

What budget has been set aside by the Scottish Government to promote through advertisement social media, TV, etc the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021?

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence

Published: 2024-04-12
Reference: FOI/202400405350
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

1. Over the past five years how many FoI requests have been submitted? Please can I have this broken down by year? (So for the years of 2019, 20, 21, 22, 23. If financial years are used, please may I have the data for this financial year to the date this has been submitted.) 2. Over the past five years how many FoI re...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.20 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-04-10
Reference: FOI/202400397701
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade trip to Los Angeles: FOI release

1. A breakdown of the costs of Richard Lochhead's trip to Los Angeles in October 2023. 2. A breakdown of the costs related to the officials accompanying Mr Lochhead to Los Angeles in October 2023.

FOI unclear 50 score 14 working days correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2024-04-10
Reference: FOI/202400400044
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

First Minister's trip to Qatar: FOI release

1. Were any costs incurred to the taxpayer by the First Minister's recent trip to Qatar and if so what were these costs? 2. Did the First Minister have any meetings as First Minister while he was on the trip? 3. What arrangements were in place during the First Minister's trip for him to stay in touch with Government ...

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

Published: 2024-04-09
Reference: FOI/202400402828
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Advertising spend by the Scottish Government: FOI release

1. You asked for advertising spend by the Scottish Government broken down by media outlet for each of the last three financial years. Please include both print and broadcast outlets. 2. Details of all payments made to Newsquest in the same time period, broken down by year.

FOI not held 45 score 16 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2

Published: 2024-04-08
Reference: FOI/202400391972
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Building a New Scotland series website downloads: FOI release

In March, the SG published its eleventh paper as part of the ‘Building a New Scotland’ series. Please provide the number of downloads for each paper on the SG website.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence

Published: 2024-04-08
Reference: FOI/202400402847
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Building a new Scotland, Public sector

Number of FOIs submitted regarding Education and Skills: FOI release

The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Education and Skills from 1 to 30 November 2023. By Education, I am referring to any subject that may fall under the remit of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, the Minister for higher and further education and the Minister for children, you...

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 8 working days correspondence ministers s.20

Published: 2024-04-03
Reference: FOI/202400392433
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Scottish Government staff associated with Ministers: FOI release

"The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles, not names of individuals) for all of the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-03-28
Reference: FOI/202400392767
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government and Executive Agency policy regarding social media posts: FOI release

Does the Scottish Government and related agencies have a policy of removing comments from social media? If so, what is this policy? Regardless if a policy exists or not, what criteria does the Scottish Government and related agencies use to remove comments from social media posts?

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.5 s.8 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-03-27
Reference: FOI/202400394165
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Scottish Government Working Groups: FOI release

1. The number of Scottish Government Working Groups currently. 2. The total amount spent by the Scottish Government on Working Groups for the years 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24. 3. The budgets for each working group in the years given above. 4. How those working groups spent their money (salaries, expenses, office s...

FOI unclear 75 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-26
Reference: FOI/202300390761
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills