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

2,763 matching releases

Education Scotland policy reviews since UK Supreme Court decision: FOI Review

Original Request: 202500472710 Following the 2024 UK Supreme Court ruling in R (on the application of For Women Scotland) v Scottish Ministers, the legal definition of “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 has been confirmed to mean biological sex. This clarification has significant implications for education policy, safegua...

FOI clarification 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2025-11-05
Reference: FOI/202500478087 Review of 202500472710
Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Sponsorship and oversight of the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) queries: FOI release

You asked for the following information regarding the Scottish Government’s sponsorship and oversight of the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC), with particular focus on its legal compliance, safeguarding policies, use of public funds, and ideological neutrality.

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.30B s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-11-05
Reference: FOI/202500478551
Directorate: Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Use of third party file portals and future accessibility of Freedom of Information rights queries: FOI release

1. Has the Scottish Government issued any guidance on the use of third-party portals to issue FOI responses? 2. Is there any national policy position on whether public bodies should continue to accept FOI requests by email? 3. Has any cross-government coordination taken place on consolidating or standardising FOI res...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence s.60 s.61 s.9 s.17(1) s.4

Published: 2025-11-04
Reference: FOI/202500477785
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

HC2 Certificate Eligibility, Immigration Compliance and NHS Funding Divergence: FOI release

1. Immigration Status Verification and Policy Divergence a.What formal process exists in Scotland to verify immigration status (including leave to remain and NRPF conditions) when assessing HC2 certificate eligibility for NHS-funded care? b. On what legal or devolved policy basis does the Scottish Government permit d...

FOI not held 45 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.95 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-11-04
Reference: FOI/202500478549
Directorate: Primary Care Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Asylum seeker hotel accommodation in Scotland: FOI release

1. How many tax payer funded Migrant hotels are there in Scotland? 2. Where are they? 3. How many people are being housed in them? 4. What is the annual cost of providing this accommodation? 5. Are the government planning in opening more in the next year? We then asked for clarification on 12 August 2025 regarding...

FOI not held 45 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.39 s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-11-04
Reference: FOI/202500476595
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Public sector

East Calder Medical Centre materials: FOI release

Request 1: Ministerial Briefings I am requesting copies of any ministerial briefings, including but not limited to briefing notes, summaries, internal memos or background papers, provided to any Scottish Government Minister between 1 January 2024 and 30 July 2025 regarding East Calder Medical Centre. This includes doc...

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.29(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) s.25 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-04
Reference: FOI/202500478023
Directorate: Health and Social Care Finance Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

High speed trains lease: FOI release

A. On what date does the lease of the High Speed Trains by Scotrail terminate? B. In the event of the lease referred to at (a) being terminated early, what would be the cost of such early termination? C. Has Scotrail carried out any consultation on the replacement of High Speed Trains and, if so, who has been consult...

FOI not held 45 score 10 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.33(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500478972
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

A9 from Thurso to Inverness maintenance costs: FOI release

“How much has been spent on maintenance in the past 3 years on the A9 from Thurso to Inverness? How much has been spent on maintenance on the Shetland islands in the last 3 years?”

FOI partially withheld 65 score 12 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500478535
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Health Board funding for tackling heart disease: FOI release

“The total amount of funding provided by the Scottish Government to NHS Health Boards specifically for the purpose of tackling heart disease, from 2020 to the present (including the most recent year available). Broken down by year and health board."

FOI unclear 55 score 10 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500479111
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Subscriptions to paid Artificial Intelligence (AI) services: FOI Review

Original Request 202500472238 1.Whether any Scottish Government departments or agencies (or Scottish Parliament, if sending to them) currently hold or have previously held subscriptions to paid AI services, including but not limited to OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus, ChatGPT Enterprise, Microsoft Copilot, or comparable generat...

FOI clarification 80 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500477145 Review of 202500472238
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Rent assessments conducted by Rent Officers: FOI release

Please provide any internal policy, guidance, or statistical data regarding the use of Let Agreed versus advertised only properties in rent assessments conducted by Rent Officers. Additionally, please provide the percentage of rent determinations made in the past 24 months that relied on one or more properties not conf...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence s.17(1) s.34 s.2

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500478188
Directorate: Tackling Child Poverty and Social Justice Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Various queries relating to Local Councils in Scotland: FOI release

1. As Local Councils in Scotland are listed on Companies House and have a Duns Number are they Corporations. 2. Are Local Councils in Scotland exempt from the Bills of Exchange Act and if they are could you please provide the exemption evidence? 3. Are Local Councils in Scotland Lawfully required to get a written Lia...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.17(1) s.5 s.17

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500477754
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Costs incurred for visit to Trump International Scotland in Aberdeenshire: FOI release

“I am writing to request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 that the Scottish Government Disclose all information it holds detailing costs incurred by the council, or estimated costs incurred by the council, as a result of the visit to Scotland by the US president Donald Trump between July 25 2025 an...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-28
Reference: FOI/202500478121
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Energy Consent Unit employee qualifications: FOI release

Could you please tell me the qualifications and experience held by the ECU staff who make decisions on planning applications whether they are relevant to the job or not. I'm not interested in the Scottish Ministers as I know what qualifications they have, or not as the case may be.

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-23
Reference: FOI/202500477108
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Genomic laboratories target operating model: FOI release

A copy of TOM [Target Operating Model] Options for the delivery of genomic laboratory services in Scotland considered by the SSNGM earlier this year. Details on which TOM has been agreed in theory and any short- medium- and long-term milestones and timeframes that have been agreed.

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence meetings spending s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-23
Reference: FOI/202500477009
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Costs of creating the new position of Cabinet Secretary for Housing: FOI release

The cost of creating the new position of Cabinet Secretary for Housing. Please break down all costs involved, including, for example, creating new office space, buying new stationery, hiring new staff or special advisers, purchasing new signage or business cards, etc.

FOI unclear 55 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-22
Reference: FOI/202500476510
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Capital expenditure debt limit materials: FOI release

1. Any internal reports, briefings, memos, emails, or other correspondence sent or received by Kate Forbes from 1 January 2024 to the present that relate to financial planning, forecasting, or contingency measures in the event that the Scottish Government reaches or approaches its legally defined capital expenditure de...

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

Published: 2025-10-22
Reference: FOI/202500476280
Directorate: Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Capital expenditure debt limit materials sent to the First Minister: FOI release

1. Any internal reports, briefings, memos, emails, or other correspondence sent or received by the first minister from 1 January 2024 to the present that relate to financial planning, forecasting, or contingency measures in the event that the Scottish Government reaches or approaches its legally defined capital expendi...

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-22
Reference: FOI/202500476292
Directorate: Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Scottish Government alcohol policy documentation: FOI release

Any internal policy, guidance, or recorded discussions on monitoring or limiting alcohol-related expenditure by government departments. Any correspondence or briefings addressing potential contradictions between alcohol-related spending/investment and Scotland’s public health policies (e.g. Minimum Unit Pricing, alcoh...

FOI unclear 80 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence briefings spending s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-22
Reference: FOI/202500476817
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government hospitality spend: FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I would like to request the following information: The total amount spent by Scottish Government Cabinet Secretaries on coffee and other refreshments between 1 January 2023 and the present date of 18 July 2025. If available, please provide a breakdown by Cabinet Se...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-22
Reference: FOI/202500476453
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Volunteering days used by Social Security Scotland staff: FOI release

Request for Information 1: How many civil service employee volunteering days are permitted to Social Security Scotland staff per year? (e.g. policy is 3 days for FT staff) [number] Request for Information 2: How many civil service employee volunteering days were used across all Social Security Scotland departments/dir...

FOI unclear 55 score 11 working days correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2025-10-20
Reference: FOI/202500477154
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Board of Disclosure Scotland training: FOI release

Please supply the following information for the period 1 April, 2020 to 10 July, 2025, inclusive in respect of the Board of Disclosure Scotland: 1. A summary of all training offered to each member of the Board with a summary of the objectives of each training session; 2. What training offered was compulsory for Membe...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.1 s.30 s.39(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) s.3 s.6 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-20
Reference: FOI/202500475492
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

Advice Direct Scotland (ADS) grants: FOI release

1. Funding and Support a. A breakdown of all financial support or public funding (including grants, contracts, or awards) provided to Advice Direct Scotland since 1 January 2020. b. Any conditions or expectations attached to such funding in relation to employment standards, governance, or accountability. 2. Oversigh...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings contracts s.25(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-20
Reference: FOI/202500476100
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Money and tax, +1 more … Public sector

Correspondence regarding swimming pool closures: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings, minutes/notes from meetings, analysis, about swimming pool closures in Scotland, from the last three months? 2. Could you supply any analysis held by the government about t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-20
Reference: FOI/202500475999
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector