Scottish Government FOI Index

19,099releases indexed

31,532attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

7,049partially withheld

2018-11-16oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 7,049 unclear 6,352 not held 2,688 released 1,289 already published 610 cost limit 529 clarification 306 withheld 208 transferred 68

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4381 s.20 3726 s.34(1) 3480 s.39(2) 2967 s.30 2536 s.17(1) 2457 s.25(1) 2090 s.10(4) 1747 s.11(2) 1413 s.29(1) 1021 s.2 1021 s.3 800

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 1,082 releases · 27.9 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 858 releases · 31.1 avg days Marine Directorate 802 releases · 29.6 avg days Learning Directorate 714 releases · 34.4 avg days Population Health Directorate 607 releases · 28.7 avg days Economic Development Directorate 577 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 573 releases · 36.1 avg days People Directorate 536 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

35 matching releases

Habitats Regulations inquires: EIR release

1. “Internal correspondence of any sort (including WhatsApp and text messages) between Special Advisers, Scottish Ministers and Scottish Government (and agency) officials on the political risks associated with the Habitats Regulations provisions of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, from 1st January 2025 to prese...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)

Published: 2026-02-16
Reference: EIR/202500497206
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Wild fire prevention, statistics and information: EIR release

‘The likelihood of ignition and the impact of wildfire are changing in the National Park as visitor numbers increase and changing land management practices increase fuel loads in some places. Public concern around the wildfire issue has risen in recent years. In light of these changes, the Integrated Wildfire Managemen...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence briefings contracts s.10(4)

Published: 2025-07-22
Reference: EIR/202500461565
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Minutes of meetings of flood risk management working group: EIR Review

Original request 202400445508 All minutes of meetings of COSLA and the Scottish Government's flood risk management working group from September 2024 to today’s date.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence meetings s.20 s.11(2) s.10(5) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-21
Reference: EIR/202500449438 Review of 202400445508
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Biffa legal case regarding the Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

1) How much money the Scottish Government has spent contesting the legal case that Biffa has brought against Scottish Ministers following their decision to delay the implementation of its Deposit Return Scheme. Please provide the total cost and any breakdowns available of these costs. 2) Whether the Scottish Governmen...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(5)

Published: 2025-01-17
Reference: EIR/202400440024
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Full costs of Deposit Return Scheme court case with Biffa: EIR release

Full costs, plus a breakdown of this, of the Scottish Government's deposit return scheme court case with Biffa.

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

Published: 2025-01-17
Reference: EIR/202400440418
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Managing deer for climate and nature consultation proposals: EIR release

All correspondence, submissions and recommendations in relation to the legislative vehicle which will be used to take forward the proposals set out in the Managing Deer for Climate and Nature Consultation.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-14
Reference: EIR/202400420951
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023: EIR Review

Original request 202300381672 1. All correspondence, sent and received, between the Scottish Government and representatives of HM the Queen and/or HM the King, including the monarch's legal representatives, regarding the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 and the application of crown consent to that bill in line wi...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.10(4) s.1 s.6(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-12
Reference: EIR/202400392273 Review of 202300381672
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Briefings prepared for the First Minister on the Deposit Return Scheme between 29th March 2023 and 20th April 2023: EIR Review

Original request - 202300353080 I would be grateful if I could receive a copy of all briefings prepared for the First Minister on the Deposit Return Scheme between 29th March 2023 and 20th April 2023.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 92 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.11(2) s.10(4) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-09-09
Reference: FOI/202300374941 Review of 202300353080
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Lorna Slater IMA exemption correspondence 2022: EIR Review

Original request 202300358575 A copy of all correspondence received by the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity from her officials on the process and application for an Internal Market Act exemption between January 2022 and December 2022.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 54 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.11(2) s.10(4) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-09
Reference: EIR/202300374935 Review of 202300358575
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit return scheme data: EIR release

1. How much money in total has been spent on a deposit return scheme for Scotland overall up to the date of this FOI, with a breakdown of these costs? 2. All discussions held with the UK Government, including correspondence (internal as well), minutes from meetings and notes, regarding the UK-wide deposit return schem...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 69 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.5(1) s.10 s.11 s.6(1) s.10(5) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: EIR/202300391068
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Analysis on cost to businesses of the deposit return scheme: EIR release

Could you supply any analysis the Scottish Government did on the cost to businesses of the deposit return scheme? If not, why not? Has the Scottish Government taken any legal advice on potential compensation claims by businesses? Minutes from the meeting held by Lorna Slater with businesses on Wednesday June 7 about th...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4)

Published: 2024-08-21
Reference: FOI/202300360979
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme correspondence (Mar-Apr): EIR Review

Original request 202300353088 A copy of all correspondence between the Scottish Government and Circularity Scotland between 1st March 2023 and 28th April 2023.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 55 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.10(5) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-06
Reference: EIR/202300374940 Review of 202300353088
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Minister for Energy and Environment briefing notes for Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting: EIR release

All briefing notes that were provided to Gillian Martin, Minister and the Environment, before she appeared before Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on 1 November 2023.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-04
Reference: FOI/202300383426
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Communications regarding James Hutton Institute in relation to the Evidence Review: EIR release

A complete copy of the instructions given to the James Hutton Institute in relation to the Evidence Review, (ii) any and all internal communications on the selection of the James Hutton Institute to carry out the Evidence Review, (iii) any and all internal communications explaining why review of evidence into oxo-biode...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.10(4) 8 attachments

Published: 2024-01-30
Reference: 202200322513
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme correspondence and legal preparations: EIR release

1. Is the Scottish Government preparing for lawsuits from businesses due to the deposit return scheme being delayed? If so, how are they preparing; if not, why? 2. Lorna Slater has repeatedly stated that the DRS is "cost neutral" could you supply the evidence to go with this? 3. All correspondence between businesses ...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-01-04
Reference: 202300352797
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Hunting with Dogs Consultation (November 2021): EIR release

Full responses from each of the 48 organisations on the "Hunting with Dogs" consultation that ended in November 2021. You specifically requested to see responses received for each question and any invited comment, specifically: All responses to closed questions from organisations Invited responses for Q5 Invited respo...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.10(5) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-31
Reference: 202300345554
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government from Lorna Slater: EIR release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to the following meetings: Lorna Slater's meeting with Christine C...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 80 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(5) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-23
Reference: 202300338451
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Formal process for excluding the deposit return scheme regulations from the Internal Market Act: EIR release

The date on which the “formal process for excluding the deposit return scheme regulations from the Internal Market Act” was initiated. All internal Scottish Government correspondence/briefings relating to the “formal process for excluding the deposit return scheme regulations from the Internal Market Act". Any legal ad...

FOI/EIR withheld 80 score 87 working days over deadline correspondence briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-10-19
Reference: 202300342961
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government departments involved in creating the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme policy: EIR release

“Which Scottish Government departments have been involved in the creation of the policy for the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme What are the total legal costs associated with the DRS, accumulated since 2018? Please provide any background notes, email exchanges, and internal communication between the First Minister and t...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-10-16
Reference: 202300357979
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 7 working days correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-07-04
Reference: FOI/202300357986
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Correspondence received by Michael Matheson on Water management: EIR release

Internal and external correspondence received by the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson MSP, regarding ‘water management’ and ‘drought management’ between 1 September 2021 and the present day.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 52 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-03-17
Reference: FOI/202200322006
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Communications regarding Ramsar sites: EIR release

Please supply and publish on www.gov.scot the following information: 1. Any final submission for approval (by Ministers or otherwise), since and including 9 September 2021 and pursuant to the Briefing Document (as per items a and d above), relating to planning policy protection for Ramsar sites and/or features. 2. Docu...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.4 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-01
Reference: FOI/202100266916
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Protection of Ramsar sites: EIR release

1. A full version of “Document 2” from case FOI/19/00577, with no content redacted under EIRs regulation 10 or similar FOISA exemptions. [“Document 2”, disclosed with redactions on 3 May 2019 and detailed at Annex A para 1, is the last pdf document linked from footnote 1]. 2. Any documents (including emails and/or note...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 44 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.10 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-01
Reference: FOI/202100201628
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Rural exemption to Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012: EIR release

"Information on the decision that was made to retain the Rural exemption to the Waste Scotland Regulations (2012), which I believe was recently reconsidered." After a request for clarification from myself, you also requested information on the landfill ban.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 60 score 8 working days correspondence contracts

Published: 2022-02-09
Reference: FOI/202100263337
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Farming and rural, Public sector

Communication concerning mountain hares’ current and future legal status: EIR release

1. Any electronic, written, or other correspondence from or between the Scottish Government directorates, between August 2020 and August 2021, concerning mountain hare's current and future legal status. This should include (but not be limited to) electronic, written, or other correspondence concerning mountain hares' c...

FOI/EIR already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2021-11-17
Reference: FOI/202100244500
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector