Scottish Government FOI Index

21,863releases indexed

39,476attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

8,112partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-05-20newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,112 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4931 s.20 4280 s.34(1) 3589 s.39(2) 3481 s.30 2878 s.17(1) 2774 s.25(1) 2381 s.10(4) 1987 s.11(2) 1571 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1158 s.3 908

Timeline

2026-05 410 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 1,279 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 967 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 923 releases · 31.0 avg days Learning Directorate 861 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 729 releases · 39.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 633 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

1,132 matching releases

Supreme Court decision on the independence referendum: FOI release

Has there been any change in the policy in relation to the allocation of resources and support to Ministers for the purposes of developing the case for Scottish independence in light of the decision in last week’s Supreme Court case? If so, what is that change? If not, please set out the legal and policy basis upon whi...

FOI released 100 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.30 s.5 s.7 s.51 s.1 s.14 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-16
Reference: 202200332779
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government Charitable Housing Bonds: FOI release

Whether the charitable bond programme was debated in Scottish Parliament prior to its initial launch some 8 years or more ago? Specifically we would like to know whether parliament debated the structure of the bonds and the mechanics of the bond purchases, the proceeds of which spawn the charitable loans and the donati...

FOI released 100 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-13
Reference: 202300351741
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding Historic Environment Scotland site closures: FOI release

“Any correspondence (e-mails and letters) from the public to MSPs in the Scottish Government (meaning all SNP and Green MSPs) regarding the Historic Environment Scotland site closures from 7 June 2021 to present.”

FOI not held 70 score 12 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-13
Reference: FOI/202300375661
Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Official letter sent to Royal Household for Crown consent: FOI release

Please for each of the following bills firstly: the official letter sent by Scottish ministers to the Royal Household notifying the monarch that these bills will, or are likely to, trigger the crown consent clauses of Scottish parliament standing orders, and which detail the parts of the bill which did so and why, and ...

FOI unclear 55 score 9 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2023-12-11
Reference: FOI/202300381740
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Covid-19 Inquiry and social media messaging policy: FOI release

1. A full list of media requests to Jason Leitch, and Scottish Government ministers regarding the Covid Inquiry between Oct 25 and the date of this FOI. Can you include who the organisation is and whether they got accepted or rejected? 2. How many ministers requested exemptions from the Enterprise Vault back-up system...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending whatsapp s.25(1) s.17(1) s.17 6 attachments

Published: 2023-12-11
Reference: FOI/202300383421
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Resource Spending, Capital Spending and Medium-Term Financial Strategy : FOI release

1. All correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) between the Scottish Government and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service regarding the Scottish Government’s Resource Spendin...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.25 s.27(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202200303701
Directorate: Public Spending Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity government issued mobile handset: FOI release

1. Does Lorna Slater use a mobile phone handset issued to her by the Scottish Government? 2. If Lorna Slater does not use a mobile phone handset issued to her by the Scottish Government, does the Scottish Government pay the bill for any personal handsets used by Lorna Slater, either directly, or via expense claims? 3...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2023-12-06
Reference: FOI/202300382799
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Minister for Transport engagements around ferries: FOI 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: Jenny Gilruth's meeting with CMAL on Se...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 46 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.17 s.25(1) s.30 s.38 s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-06
Reference: 202300338464
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Humza Yousaf's meetings: FOI release

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.25(1) s.6(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-05
Reference: 202300338463
Directorate: Health Workforce Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence between the Justice Minister, ministers, civil servants and special advisors : FOI release

Emails and correspondence between the Justice Minister, ministers, civil servants and special advisors discussing the selection and appointment of the 4 person body formed as a working group into parades and public processions. Emails and correspondence between the working group members before and after appointment to ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-05
Reference: 202200290467
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Meetings between the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport and SportScotland relating to swimming pools: FOI release

A list of all meetings between the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport and SportScotland relating to swimming pools All correspondence relating to these aforementioned meetings All materials prepared and produced related to these aforementioned meetings (agendas, minutes, briefings etc.)

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-04
Reference: FOI/202300369009
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Update to FOI/17/01687 Scottish Government's organisational chart and staff working abroad: FOI release

Please repeat and update the 2017 FOI request FOI/17/01687 Scottish Government's organisational chart and staff working abroad, to add the same information for years 2017 to the current date. The questions in the referenced FOI were originally as follows: Every version of the Scottish Government's organisational char...

FOI cost limit 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending s.1 s.17(1) s.2 s.3 s.12(1) s.12 s.4 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-30
Reference: 202300338952
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Gifts handed out by the Scottish Government for 2023, 2022 and 2021: FOI release

Please provide me with a list of presents and gifts handed out by the Scottish Government for 2023, 2022 and 2021. Please advise what the gifts were, how much they cost, who the recipient was and when the gifts were handed out.

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

Published: 2023-11-29
Reference: FOI/202300369999
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support 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

Citizenship independence prospectus: FOI release

1 Could you supply all research undertaken by the Scottish Government so far this year on the following issues with independence. The fiscal plan How will state pensions be paid for? What will an independent Scotland have to do to gain EU membership? How will the border between Scotland and England work if Scotland re...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-27
Reference: FOI/202300377833
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

ScotRail Peak Fare Removal pilot: FOI release

Please see below responses to the questions you have raised in your email: Where did the idea initially come from? Who was the main group intended to benefit from such change? If the trial is successful would there permanently be no peak fares? If so what would happen with rail cards that require a minimum fee? Why wa...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.5 s.17(1)

Published: 2023-11-27
Reference: FOI/202300378133
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Highlands and Islands Enterprise scrutiny and events: FOI release

How are HIE's various activities scrutinised, and the results made available to the voter/general public? Regarding the Agency's 'engagement events', for example the one recently held covering HIE Shetland. Is there a formal requirement for HIE to hold such events, and if so to what schedule? Is there a formal code o...

FOI not held 45 score 9 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2023-11-24
Reference: 202300338294
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Nicola Sturgeon’s visit to Dr Bell’s Family Centre: FOI release

The Scottish Government is included as one of the ‘Funders’ of ‘Dr Bell’s Family Centre’ in Leith (details included on their website). Please provide information of all funding and grants that have been awarded to ‘Dr Bell’s Family Centre’ during the period April 2015 until April 2023. On September 5th 2022 First Minis...

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

Published: 2023-11-23
Reference: 202300348494
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information pertaining to recruitment processes and public appointments: FOI release

Who was the commissioner who was involved in the decision making hear. How many appointment have been made in devolved power posts which where interim appointments to later be confirmed as a permeant appointment since the opening of the Scottish Parliment as Mr Thomson Director general has been in Scottish government s...

FOI clarification 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.38(1)

Published: 2023-11-23
Reference: 202300347236
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Second ICO registration queries: FOI release

Why and on what (Scottish or U.K. Reserved) legal grounds or legal exemptions is a Scottish National Party MP a ‘third party’ of the SNP &/or Scottish Government (currently in governing power in Scotland). What was the Data harvesting nature of this secondary Scottish Government & Ministers ICO registration number. Was...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 8 working days correspondence ministers contracts s.17(1)

Published: 2023-11-23
Reference: 202200319198
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Salary and costs for the Cabinet Office assigned to the Minister for Independence: FOI release

The monthly/annual running costs for the Cabinet Office assigned to the Minister for Independence. Broke down into following. Minister’s salary. Staff(s) salary. Estimated office costs (office space and relevant office supplies, running costs for phones/postage and equipment).

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

Published: 2023-11-21
Reference: 202300349523
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information (FOIs) cases discussed at Cabinet: FOI release

During the Scottish Parliament's Convener's Group meeting on September 27, 2023, Humza Yousaf said that certain FOIs had been brought to cabinet to discuss. Which FOIs were they, why were they brought to cabinet, and what was the resulting decision? Please also provide the responses to the FOIs that were brought to Cab...

FOI not held 45 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.17(1)

Published: 2023-11-21
Reference: FOI/202300378309
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government spend in the last financial year on external contract staff: FOI release

I would like to know how much money the Scottish Government spent in the last financial year on external contract staff, eg (Sopra) Steria, and how this compares as a percentage of the staff budget for permanent employees. This is only about Scottish Government, not councils, but should include agencies like Social Sec...

FOI released 100 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.17(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-20
Reference: 202200293168
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Travel by Ministers for Party Political Occasions: FOI release

In Section 9.23 of the Ministerial Code, Travel by Ministers – Party Political Occasions, it states that; ‘Where a visit is a mix of political and official engagements, it is important that the Government and the party each meet a proper proportion of the actual cost’. Please provide information on whether or not the S...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.9 s.17(1) s.39(1)

Published: 2023-11-20
Reference: FOI/202300373939
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector