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

55 matching releases

Details of First Minister's meeting with the Leader of Plaid Cymru: FOI release

- Any costs involved in the First Minister hosting Rhun ap Iorwerth at Bute House in October 2025. For example, catering costs, and any other costs incurred. - A list of the people who attended the First Minister’s meeting with Rhun ap Iorwerth at Bute House in October 2025. - Any correspondence sent or received by t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.17(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-11
Reference: FOI/202500493831
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

The Edinburgh Agreement negotiations: FOI release

Could you give me a full list of all those involved in the Edinburgh Agreement negotiations from the Scottish Government side and the dates of when they were involved?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500465520
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information on civil servants working in the Constitutional Futures Division: FOI release

1. Please confirm the number of civil servants currently on the unit’s payroll. 2. Please also confirm, in list form, what material has gone from any civil servants on the units payroll to Special Advisors or Ministers since 1 July 2024. I do not want copies of documents, I just require a list of what has been sent to...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings

Published: 2024-10-14
Reference: FOI/202400430106
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Former First Minister's speech at Glasgow University: FOI release

1. Details of how many Scottish Government staff worked on Humza Yousaf's speech at Glasgow University on January 8, 2024 (Scottish independence: industrial policy). 2. Details of anyone outwith the Scottish Government involved in the writing of the speech or the number of people from outwith the Scottish Government w...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) s.12 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-13
Reference: FOI/202400392532
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Former First Minister's speech at Glasgow University and the Arbroath Islamic Community Centre: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internally, briefings written, notes and minutes held by the government about Humza Yousaf's speech at Glasgow University on January 8, including how it was organised and feedback afterwards? Between October 2023 and date of this FOI. 2. How...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.12 s.17(1) s.30 s.38 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-13
Reference: FOI/202400393501
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the Scottish Currency Group: FOI release

Please provide copies of all email correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers) and Tim Rideout, Robbie Mochrie, Ian Stewart, or Cathryn Jones (who are all representatives of the Scottish Currency Group), 1st January 2023 - date.

FOI cost limit 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-10
Reference: FOI/202300387857
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Various questions relating to Independence: FOI release

1. Could you supply all analysis undertaken by the Scottish Government this year, along with any briefings or correspondence, about how much it would cost to set up a new defence force, as well as a new security agency in the event of independence? 2. Could you supply all analysis undertaken by the Scottish Government...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.12 s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-12
Reference: FOI/202400414173
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence with CEO of Business for Scotland and Believe in Scotland: FOI release

Please provide copies of all email correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil servants, and Special Advisers) and Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, CEO of Business for Scotland and Believe in Scotland, 1st May 2021 - date.

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 4 attachments

Published: 2024-02-01
Reference: FOI/202300373212
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Scottish Information Commissioner's ruling No.004/2023: FOI release

In relation to the Scottish Information Commissioner's ruling No.004/2023 and the decision by Scottish Ministers to appeal this ruling: Which Scottish Minister(s) decided to appeal the above ruling and/or gave the the go-ahead to appeal? Any and all internal and external correspondence including emails, letters, Whats...

FOI already published 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.36(1)

Published: 2024-01-11
Reference: 202300347350
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Meetings about a second independence referendum: FOI release

Minutes of meetings held between Nicola Sturgeon and Angus Robertson on preparations for a second independence referendum, including on a prospectus. Minutes of all meetings held between Nicola Sturgeon and the team working (including civil servants) on preparations for a second independence referendum, including on a ...

FOI not held 45 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2023-12-19
Reference: 202200280399
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Integrated Single Electricity Market in Ireland analysis and correspondence: EIR release

Scottish Government analysis and correspondence (including between Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and external parties), 6th May 2021 - date, on the subject of the Integrated Single Electricity Market in Ireland, in particular the lessons from this market for how the electricity market might function in a...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-17
Reference: 202300359032
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Independence Referendum Bill Supreme Court Correspondence: FOI release

Any correspondence between special advisers, senior civil servants within either the constitution or legal directorate, and ministers within the Scottish Government and SNP party officials around the Supreme Court reference of the independence referendum bill. This should cover the calendar year of 2022 and exclude MSP...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202200332044
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Communications between the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information team and Michael Matheson: FOI release

Copies of communications between the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information team and Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport. Please include communications with his office and his Special Advisers, and restrict the search the dates between 4th April 2022 and 15th November 2022

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

Published: 2023-12-07
Reference: 202200330329
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Press conference at Bute House about Supreme Court ruling: FOI release

All correspondence between ministers, special advisers and civil servants regarding the prospect of holding a press conference at Bute House on 23/11/22 about the Supreme Court ruling. This should include emails, text, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Messenger or other electronic communications, and handwritten notes.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-11-28
Reference: 202200332116
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

£20m independence fund: FOI release

What is the Scottish Government now doing with its £20m independence fund due to the Supreme Court ruling? If they are using it for independence how are you justifying it considering the Supreme Court ruled the government cannot legally legislate for a referendum? Any correspondence (including emails, WhatsApps) betwee...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-11-28
Reference: 202200331939
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Legal advice on independence referendum: FOI release

The amount spent on legal advice regarding the Scottish Government’s prospectus for an independent Scotland between 07 September 2021 and the date of response to this inquiry? Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, brief...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-27
Reference: 202200287065
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence: FOI release

On 17th October, the Scottish Government published Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence. It included this statement: "Given the uncertainty over the outlook for the global, UK, and Scottish economies, and future fiscal and economic policy decisions by the UK and Scottish governments prior to ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-22
Reference: 202200325262
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Independence paper launch event 19 June 2023: FOI release

How many members of the First Minister’s Visits and Events team were present at the latest independence paper launch in Atlantic Quay in Glasgow on 19th June? What are their grades and respective salaries? What was each of their specific roles on the day? How many members of the First Minister’s private secretary team...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2023-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300364236
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Average response times for an FOI request: FOI release

1) The mean, median and maximum response times for an FOI to the Scottish Government over the last 12 months. 2) The number and percentage of FOIs that were referred to Special Advisers for each month of the last five years. 3) The mean, median and maximum response times for all FOIs referred to Special Advisers over t...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.3 s.20 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-05-25
Reference: FOI/202300352495
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence mentioning “euro” and “currency”: FOI release

All email correspondence sent or received by the Scottish Government Special Adviser Ewan Crawford, 1st May 2021 - date, mentioning “euro” and “currency”. Your clarification sent on 26 February 2023 confirmed that you are looking for email correspondence sent or received from 1 May 2021 to the date of your request, rat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-03-30
Reference: FOI/202300344511
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence on Sustainable Growth Commission report informing contents of Building a New Scotland publication: FOI release

Please provide all Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) correspondence and documents discussing how the SNP’s Sustainable Growth Commission report (published in 2018) would inform the contents of Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence – published by the...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.29(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-02-07
Reference: FOI/202200333877
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Visit of Michelle O'Neill to Bute House and meeting with First Minister: FOI release

On May 20 this year, Michelle O'Neill MLA visited the First Minister at Bute House. https://www.gov.scot/news/first-minister-meets-michelle-oneill-mla/ Please supply all items of information generated by the First Minister, her officials and special advisers in relation to the arranging of this meeting, its conduct and...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-10-19
Reference: FOI/202200312323
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence with Lord Advocate regarding the Supreme Court: FOI release

1) Any correspondence, including meetings, notes, memos, agendas, ministerial briefings and minutes, between the Scottish Government and the office of the Lord Advocate on the topic of the Lord Advocate's reference to the Supreme Court between January 1, 2022 and June 28, 2022. This should include any emails, letters, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-08-22
Reference: FOI/202200312193
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Questions regarding work on "Building a New Scotland" document: FOI release

1. How many civil servants worked on these documents and for how long and what the total cost of this was? 2. How many special advisers worked on these papers and what exactly their role was. I would also like to know if any of the special advisers have authority over civil servants. 3. Has the advice of the Permanen...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2022-07-27
Reference: FOI/202200306418
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Communications regarding crown consent provisions in Scottish legislation discussions: FOI Review

1) Copies of any internal Scottish government memos, briefing papers or emails concerning the question of changing the handling of crown consent in legislation and/or the way the crown consent provisions are communicated to MSPs, including but not exclusively to and from the Scottish government ministers and their spec...

FOI already published 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.29(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-20
Reference: FOI/202200278004 Review of 202200270508
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector