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

Documentation which mentions former First Minister Chief of Staff and former Special Adviser: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government that mentions Liz Lloyd, or is from/to her, including correspondence (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, or briefings, from the last three months? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government that mentions Kev...

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

Published: 2026-02-02
Reference: FOI/202500456581
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Interests of independent advisers on Scottish Ministerial Code: FOI release

Please supply all items of information in the list of professional roles supplied to the First Minister by the independent advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code in line with their terms of reference; all information in any 'relevant changes' notified by any adviser to the First Minister; all information notified by...

FOI not held 70 score 7 working days correspondence ministers s.17 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-02
Reference: FOI/202500493373
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Release of legally privileged information and use of WhatsApp on Scottish Government phones: FOI release

1. Could you provide how many occasions in the last two years that the Scottish Government has been forced to publicly release legally privileged information, and include what this info was and why it had to be released? 2. Could you supply how many incidents have been recorded of government staff, officials or minist...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-02
Reference: FOI/202500491146
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Palestine flag costs and communications: FOI release

1) The amount of money spent on Palestine flags by the Scottish Government since January 1, 2025, and the number purchased. 2) Any internal communications including briefings for ministers on the decision to raise the Palestine flag outside government buildings from the same date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.38 s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-28
Reference: FOI/202500490123
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Cost of raising of Palestinian flag on Scottish Government buildings: FOI relase

I requested to know who ordered the flag to be flown, especially with anniversary of 7th October pogrom fast approaching. What was the cost of the flag and where was it purchased from and from which funds or budget? Was any risk assessment performed to ascertain whether the flag could damage Scotland’s reputation, up...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.33(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-21
Reference: FOI/202500484830
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Diary events for Minister for Parliamentary Business on 18th September 2025: FOI release

The reasons for Jamie Hepburn MSP’s non-attendance at First Minister’s Questions on 18 September 2025. Please provide details of any meetings, events, or other commitments scheduled during that period. Whether Jamie Hepburn MSP was present in the Scottish Parliament at any point on 18 September 2025, and whether he was...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-21
Reference: FOI/202500485183
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Meetings held between Scottish Government ministers and the Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP): FOI release

1. All correspondence between Scottish Government Ministers and their special advisers and Keith Brown MSP. This should include all email correspondence with and from his MSP email, SNP email and any other email accounts used by Keith Brown since 6 May 2025. 2. All meetings (including virtual) Keith Brown MSP has atte...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500487575
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding editing First Minister’s media release after publication: FOI release

This request relates to the following news release: https://www.gov.scot/news/challenging-poverty-with-family-friendly-policies/ When first published on 6th October 2025, the above news release included the following statement: The cost-of-living guarantee: Lower income tax than in the rest of the UK for the majori...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500488097
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

British Business Awards dinner information: FOI release

1) The full guest list of the event attended by the Deputy First Minister on 18 June 2025 with Anas Sarwar and Lord Haughey. 2) Whether any Scottish Government officials accompanied the Deputy First Minister at this dinner. Please also provide any notes or minutes held by the Scottish Government that documented what h...

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

Published: 2026-01-19
Reference: FOI/202500486908
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Ministerial and Special Adviser private office structure: FOI release

For each of the following: Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs’ Private Office Minister for Victims and Community Safety’s Private Office Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans’ Private Office Special Advisers’ (SpAds) Private Office Please provide: A breakdown of all posts/roles within each off...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 7 working days correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-19
Reference: FOI/202500490036
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Raising of the Palestinian flag outside St Andrew’s House: FOI release

This should be treated as a single request and not aggregated with others. Please supply all items of information held by the Scottish Government related to the decision to raise the Palestinian flag outside St Andrew's House on 3 September 2025. https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/searc...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.30 s.36(1) s.33(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2026-01-14
Reference: FOI/202500484291
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

Communications regarding members of the Scottish Parliament: FOI release

1) Any communications - including texts, WhatsApps, emails, Teams messages, or any other sort of written communications - from Wednesday September 17 to Wednesday September 24 on the topic of Jamie Hepburn. 2) Any communications - including texts, WhatsApps, emails, Teams messages, or any other sort of written communi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500486016
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence relating to Scottish Ministers attending events involving the King or the Royal Family: FOI release

“Please provide any correspondence, internal notes, or briefing material discussing decisions by Scottish Ministers on whether to attend or not attend events involving the King or Royal Family since 2024.”

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

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500486398
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Information related to Scottish Information Commissioner decision notice: FOI release

1. What is the name of the individual whose role in the redaction process of the Hamilton Report was under investigation by the Scottish Information Commissioner and who wrote a signed statement to the Commissioner's office, as noted in Decision Notice 144/2025 and pages 15-18 of the below FOI release? 2. Why has this...

FOI transferred 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.6 4 attachments

Published: 2026-01-06
Reference: FOI/202500480860
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Former First Minister’s engagements and financial transactions with NEON (New Economy Organisers Network): FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I am requesting the following information regarding Nicola Sturgeon’s engagements and any financial transactions with NEON (New Economy Organisers Network) during her tenure as First Minister of Scotland (from November 20, 2014, to March 28, 2023) or in any official...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2026-01-06
Reference: FOI/202500482305
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Consultation queries: FOI release

Information relating to consultations over the last 5 years. In particular, information relating to: The average time taken over the last 5 years between closing a consultation and publishing an analysis of responses, as well as publishing the responses themselves The longest time taken, over the last 5 years, between...

FOI not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.12(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-24
Reference: FOI/202500483584
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government legal fees contesting Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

How much has the Scottish Government spent on defending itself against the Scottish Information Commissioner over the last five years, with a breakdown per year and what the money was spent on?

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2025-12-10
Reference: FOI/202500483660
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Raising of Palestinian flag on Scottish Government buildings: FOI Review

Original Request - 202500483555 “Publish all correspondence (including those of the First Minister and his advisors and “spin doctors”) relating to the raising of the Palestinian flag. These communications should include all warnings and impact assessments done into the repercussions (especially from the Jewish/Israel...

FOI not held 70 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-10
Reference: FOI/202500488559 Review of 202500483555
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Correspondence between Novara Media and Scottish Government: FOI release

You asked for records relating to any connections, interactions, or links between the Scottish Government (including its ministers, officials, and departments), Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), and Novara Media (a UK-based media organization, also known as Novara Media Ltd or operating under the trading name ...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-09
Reference: FOI/202500482885
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Hybrid working policy alignment with climate commitments, infrastructure Costs, and senior leadership discussion: EIR release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I am requesting access to materials regarding the Scottish Government’s hybrid working arrangements, their alignment with Scotland’s climate targets, and associated infrastructure costs. I am particularly focused on how internal discussion has evolved under differen...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.3 s.4 s.6 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.10(5) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-09
Reference: EIR/202500478223
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence and meeting notes in relation to the handling of request 202500472911: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence and meeting notes etc. in relation to the preparation, handling and clearance of the response to FOI 202500472911. Notably, this should include FOI response clearance comments from the Scottish Government Executive Team, SG Communications, SpAds and Ministers.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.25(1) s.15 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-02
Reference: FOI/202500481037
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Consideration of Section 5 FOISA Designation of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and other bodies: FOI release

1. Has the Scottish Government considered, since 1 January 2020, the designation of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) as a Scottish public authority under section 5 of FOISA? Please provide any internal or external legal advice, ministerial submissions, policy papers, or correspondence on this subje...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.5 s.3 6 attachments

Published: 2025-12-02
Reference: FOI/202500481032
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister's government & political diary information: FOI release

First Minister’s full diary (government and political for the 11th to 13th August 2025 (date inclusive)).

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-18
Reference: FOI/202500479614
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Parliament Bureau correspondence regarding parliamentary business: FOI release

1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the First Minister and the Scottish Parliament Bureau regarding parliamentary business for the Scottish Parliament in September 2025. Information should include but not be li...

FOI not held 40 score 8 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp

Published: 2025-11-18
Reference: FOI/202500482332
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Events at Bute House residence: FOI release

“A list of all events held in Bute House from 29 March 2023 to date, how much they cost to hold, and who or what person/organisation paid these costs.”

FOI unclear 50 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending

Published: 2025-11-17
Reference: FOI/202500475367
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector