Scottish Government FOI Index

22,640releases indexed

40,478attachments found

29.5avg calendar days

8,386partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-09-02newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,386 unclear 7,405 not held 3,239 released 1,581 already published 700 cost limit 627 clarification 372 withheld 249 transferred 81

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5149 s.20 4430 s.34(1) 3727 s.39(2) 3593 s.30 2994 s.17(1) 2922 s.25(1) 2520 s.10(4) 2060 s.11(2) 1619 s.29(1) 1223 s.2 1222 s.3 958

Timeline

2026-09 1 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,312 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 978 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 961 releases · 30.9 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 737 releases · 39.7 avg days Constitution Directorate 702 releases · 35.9 avg days Population Health Directorate 665 releases · 28.5 avg days People Directorate 657 releases · 25.6 avg days

Clear

702 matching releases

Expansion of voting or candidacy rights correspondence and meeting notes: FOI release

Copies of all correspondence and meeting notes between Scottish Government officials or ministers and external organisations (including but not limited to the Scottish Refugee Council, Electoral Reform Society, Migration Policy Scotland, or any pro-migration advocacy groups) between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2026 regar...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-08-10
Reference: FOI/202600517366
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2021-2022 detailing the planned actions: FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I request copies of all policy papers, options appraisals, ministerial submissions, and internal emails between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2024 that discuss or recommend extending candidacy rights to foreign nationals with limited leave to remain (as opposed to ...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.12

Published: 2026-08-05
Reference: FOI/202600517345
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Programme for Government, Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and Scottish Refugee Council regarding voting rights: FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I request copies of all correspondence (emails, letters, meeting minutes) between Scottish Government ministers or officials and the Scottish Refugee Council between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2020 that discuss extending voting rights to foreign nationals or ref...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-07-29
Reference: FOI/202600517326
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications from Scottish Ministers or Special Advisers regarding the next Parliamentary session: FOI release

All emails and WhatsApp messages sent by either Special Advisers or Scottish Ministers in the last 3 months that contain any of the following phrases: - "after the election" - "post-election" - "after May" - "the next Parliament" - "the next session of Parliament" - "the next Parliamentary session"

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp s.12

Published: 2026-07-28
Reference: FOI/202600507770
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Candidacy election rights correspondence: FOI release

I am writing to submit a request for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I request copies of all ministerial submissions and briefing notes provided to Scottish Government ministers between 1 January 2023 and 31 January 2025 that recom...

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

Published: 2026-07-28
Reference: FOI/202600517333
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Documentation regarding publishing reports and papers about Scottish independence: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received, minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about publishing reports/papers about Scottish independence, from the last month?

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence briefings meetings

Published: 2026-07-28
Reference: FOI/202600508249
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding voting rights: FOI release

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

Published: 2026-07-28
Reference: FOI/202600517335
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish election voting and candidacy rights: FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I request all correspondence, meeting notes, or policy comparison documents between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2026 relating to how Scotland’s approach to foreign national voting and candidacy rights compares with or was coordinated with policy in England, Wales, or ...

FOI unclear 80 score 19 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-07-28
Reference: FOI/202600517312
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding candidacy election rights: FOI release

You asked for copies of all correspondence, meeting notes, or advice between the Scottish Government and the UK Home Office or the Electoral Commission between 1 January 2023 and 31 May 2026 concerning the interaction between UK immigration leave rules and Scottish parliamentary/local government candidacy or holding of...

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

Published: 2026-07-28
Reference: FOI/202600517358
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Job titles and responsibilities of Constitutional Briefing Team: FOI release

Please list the civil servants who work in the Constitutional Briefing Unit, by name or by job title, and provide the job decision for each position.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1)

Published: 2026-07-28
Reference: FOI/202600507650
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Lord Lieutenants and their deputies in Shetland spend: FOI release

Can you tell me how much is spent on providing the current Lord Lieutenant and their deputies in Shetland since the Lord Lieutenant Lindsay Tulloch took over the role on 3rd April 2024? Provide a breakdown of each of their wages and expenses. How much has been spent to provide Lord Lieutenants and their deputies in She...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-07-27
Reference: FOI/202600502238
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Candidate statistics for 2026 election: FOI release

I am writing to submit a request for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I request any data or reports held on the number of foreign national candidates who: (a) stood for election, (b) were elected, or (c) withdrew their candidacy ...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2026-07-27
Reference: FOI/202600517353
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Technical changes to the electoral registration system: FOI release

I am writing to submit a request for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I request details of any IT system changes, software updates, or new verification processes introduced between 1 January 2024 and 31 May 2026 to allow electoral r...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2026-07-27
Reference: FOI/202600517377
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Constitutional Futures Division meeting requests and correspondence: FOI release

For the period 27th August 2023 - 17th January 2025, please provide the names of all persons or organisations who requested to meet (in person or virtually) with the Constitutional Futures Division, and had that request turned down. Please also provide all correspondence between the Scottish Government and such person...

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

Published: 2026-07-22
Reference: FOI/202600512112
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence between the Chair of Historic Environment Scotland, and the Interim Director General Exchequer, Strategy and Performance: FOI release

1. All email correspondence, including attachments, between Dr Hugh Hall, the Chair of Historic Environment Scotland, and Shona Riach (Shona.Riach@gov.scot) between 1 June 2025 and 5 September 2025. 2. All email correspondence, including attachments, between Dr Hugh Hall and [Redacted – S.38(i)(b)] [Redacted – S.38(i)...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence s.38 s.17(1) s.30 s.36(2) s.35(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2026-07-22
Reference: FOI/202500498978
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Guidance on implementation of candidacy rights for foreign nationals: FOI release

Copies of all guidance, instructions or correspondence issued by the Scottish Government to returning officers or electoral administrators since 1 February 2025 concerning the implementation of candidacy rights for foreign nationals with limited leave to remain (including any advice on visa extensions or by-election tr...

FOI unclear 75 score 17 working days correspondence 2 attachments

Published: 2026-07-21
Reference: FOI/202600517338
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Candidate nomination integrity at Scottish local government elections information: FOI release

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 regarding the integrity of the candidate nomination process at Scottish local government elections, specifically in relation to what are commonly described as ""paper candidates,"" and any assessment of or proposals to address the ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings s.85 s.29 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-07-21
Reference: FOI/202600516377
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Transmission charges in an independent Scotland query: EIR release

Speaking at FMQs on 22nd January 2026, John Swinney said this: “Emma Roddick raises significant concerns about the West of Orkney wind farm that have been raised by the developer. It is a development that would bring enormous benefit to the people of Scotland, but it is being put in jeopardy because of the disproporti...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2)

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: EIR/202600503474
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Energy, Topics

Correspondence between the First Minister and Secretary of State for Scotland: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence between the First Minister and Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland, from 1 January 2026 to date.

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600503919
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

UK Government intergovernmental relations policy correspondence: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about the leaked Keir Starmer memo warning senior UK ministers against showing an "overly deferential" approach to the devolved govern...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600511101
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Lord Mandelson communications: FOI release

Any and all emails, WhatsApps, texts, or other forms of communications currently held by the Scottish Government sent to, or received from, Peter Mandelson.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2026-05-11
Reference: FOI/202600509305
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Transfer of devolved powers to the UK Government queries: FOI release

1. Confirmation of whether any Section 30 Order has ever transferred devolved powers from the Scottish Government or Scottish Parliament to the UK Government Please confirm: Whether any Order in Council made under Section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 has ever had the effect of reducing the legislative competence of the...

FOI transferred 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30 s.1 s.4 s.17(1)

Published: 2026-05-11
Reference: FOI/202600500071
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Building a New Scotland - Papers on series of independence: FOI release

Now that the Building a New Scotland series of independence papers has concluded, please list all those papers for which a draft was completed, but the paper was not actually published. For each of these draft unpublished papers, please provide the latest draft version held by the Scottish Government.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence s.30

Published: 2026-05-08
Reference: FOI/202500498430
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Building a new Scotland, Public sector

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

Original Request 202500484291 “all information about the source of the flag, including the supplier, cost, invoices and associated correspondence"

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-01
Reference: FOI/202500490950 - Review of 202500484291
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding foreign state operations: FOI release

1. Any advice, briefings, or guidance issued to Scottish Government Ministers in the calendar year 2025 regarding suspected foreign state influence operations, specifically relating to a suspected Iranian bot network (or "inauthentic coordinated behavior") operating on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in ...

FOI unclear 55 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1)

Published: 2026-04-30
Reference: FOI/202500497033
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector