Scottish Government FOI Index

21,099releases indexed

37,554attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

7,804partially withheld

2017-11-17oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 7,804 unclear 6,977 not held 2,955 released 1,470 already published 656 cost limit 586 clarification 342 withheld 235 transferred 74

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4772 s.20 4130 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3342 s.30 2791 s.17(1) 2667 s.25(1) 2327 s.10(4) 1920 s.11(2) 1518 s.29(1) 1135 s.2 1129 s.3 891

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 1,211 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 933 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 895 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 821 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 684 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 652 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 637 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 611 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

15 matching releases

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

Freedom of Information vexatious or repeated requests data: FOI release

1) Please provide the number of Freedom of Information requests refused by the Scottish Government for being vexatious since John Swinney became First Minister. Also provide the same for the time Humza Yousaf was First Minister and the same for when Nicola Sturgeon was First Minister. 2) For each of the above provide ...

FOI transferred 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.14(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.14V 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-06
Reference: FOI/202600510718
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

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

Secretariat to Former Independent Adviser to the Scottish Government queries: FOI release

Please note that as part of your correspondence was a request for a review of response 202500469235, this is being responded to separately under reference 202500481549. This response is in relation to the new information you requested in your correspondence. 1. “…In your responses you frequently cite the public intere...

FOI transferred 55 score 14 working days correspondence briefings s.25(1) s.2 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-12-02
Reference: FOI/202500482898
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Education (Scotland) Bill correspondence and cost of implementation: FOI release

The total cost to the Scottish Government associated with the development, consultation, drafting, and implementation of the Education (Scotland) Bill. Including: Internal staffing costs (policy teams, legal, communications, programme teams). External consultancy or legal advice related to the Bill. Public engagement,...

FOI transferred 55 score 13 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-20
Reference: FOI/202500477146
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Secretariat to Former Independent Adviser to the Scottish Government: FOI release

1. In FOI/202300382811 GOVERNMENT PHONES ISSUES TO MINISTERS there is a list of names of officials that the Scottish Government states are senior enough to be named. If the name of the official who carried out the secretariat role for James Hamilton is included in this list then there is no legitimate reason that thei...

FOI transferred 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.3 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-24
Reference: FOI/202500469235
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Resettlement of English Prisoners in Scotland on Standard Licence Conditions: FOI release

You asked for information regarding issues relating to the potential transfer of supervision following an individual’s release from prison in England, transferring into Scotland. You note that the individual was sentenced to 8 years in England; is not subject to MAPPA or any public protection notifications; and is due ...

FOI transferred 55 score 20 working days correspondence s.17(1) s.27(1)

Published: 2025-07-15
Reference: FOI/202500460509
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Gender Recognition Reform Bill costs: FOI release

(a) Since 1 November 2023, what is the total cost to the Scottish Government of any work or legal advice relating to the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill? (If possible, could you break down any costs). (b) Could you share any correspondence: to the UK Government from the First Minister or Kaukab Stewart, rela...

FOI transferred 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.35 s.27(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500452867
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Health and Wellbeing Census – retaining data where information wasn’t provided: FOI release

You asked a range of questions on the use of SCN as an email address in 2022, the Scottish Government response to this, and the impact on ethics, data quality and the processing and sharing of the health and Wellbeing Census 2022 data by Scottish Government.

FOI transferred 80 score 20 working days correspondence briefings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.1(1) s.17(1) s.25 2 attachments

Published: 2024-07-08
Reference: FOI/202400398313
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Funding awarded to homeless charities: FOI release

Breakdown of all monies being paid to asylum seekers, support for housing, benefits and extras, the number of hotels the Scottish Government is using to house them and confirmation as to whether the Scottish Government is paying to heat these hotels. In your clarification of 15 December, you also asked for the total a...

FOI transferred 55 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2023-10-26
Reference: 202200334079
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government staff and representatives costs to attend Tartan Week: FOI release

Please can you confirm how much money was spent sending Scottish Government staff and representatives to the Tartan Day Parade in New York, in April 2023? How much money did Scottish Government spend in April 2023 on helping homelessness in those under 18 in Scotland, and those over 18? How much money has the Scottish ...

FOI transferred 55 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.27(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2023-05-22
Reference: FOI/202300351751
Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, International, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the launch of Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB): FOI release

1. Any correspondence (emails, letters, text messages, WhatsApp messages, phone calls or otherwise) between Ministers (including the First Minister), Special Advisors and civil servants in the Scottish Government Press Office concerning the official launch of the Scottish National Investment Bank on 23 November 2020. 2...

FOI transferred 80 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.17(1) s.27(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.39(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2021-02-11
Reference: FOI/202000129473
Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Forestry external training spend and budget: FOI release

1. External training spend in the previous 3 fiscal years (2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20) in Scottish Forestry, broken down by: Amount spent through the Civil Service Learning contract and amount spent to deliver external training through other contracts Under the Civil Service Learning Contract -Amount spent on online/d...

FOI transferred 80 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2021-02-08
Reference: FOI/202000093299
Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Money and tax, Public sector

Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd (FMEL) additional funding & forecasted capital: FOI release

1. How much additional funding has Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited (FMEL) received from the Scottish Government since its acquisition by the Scottish Government? What additional capital is forecast to be provided to FMEL on a monthly basis for the next 36 months? 2. Have the two ferry’s (vessels 801 and 802) engine...

FOI transferred 55 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2020-07-29
Reference: FOI/202000046115
Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Money and tax, Public sector

Amazon.com, Inc - assistance grants or any other grants: FOI release

You asked for: The full details of any selective assistance grants or any other development grants paid and/or approved to the private company Amazon in relation to the siting of its commercial premises in Scotland or any connected grants around the UK. Within the response, please cite which premises received the gran...

FOI transferred 55 score 4 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1) s.12

Published: 2019-08-29
Reference: FOI/201900003503
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector