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

1,126 matching releases

Training offered to Education Scotland Advisory Board members: FOI release

Training offered to all members of the Advisory Board, whether they are Executive or non-Executive members, but only in their capacity as Board members. I recognise that training may be offered to executive Directors which although useful for their role as a member of the Advisory Board is actually provided to them as ...

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

Published: 2025-08-29
Reference: FOI/202500475748
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Trans and other trans activist organisations correspondence: FOI release

1) The safety or otherwise of biological males who identify as women (also known as “trans women”) breastfeeding infants, and 2) Correspondence with Scottish Trans and other trans activist organisations which are funded by the Scottish Government on: a) males breastfeeding infants and b) the recent EHRC consultation.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-28
Reference: FOI/202500475364
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Staffing and costs involved in coordinating work on the Independence Prospectus: FOI release

Please provide the number of staff employed within the Scottish Government’s Constitutional Futures Division who were involved in coordinating work on the independence prospectus and related activity, broken down by headcount and pay grade, at each of the following dates: 31 March 2022 31 March 2023 31 March 2024 31 M...

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

Published: 2025-08-27
Reference: FOI/202500475992
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Proposed Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill discussions: FOI release

Please advise if the Proposed Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill has been discussed at Cabinet meetings. If so, please provide the minutes from said meeting/s.

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-21
Reference: FOI/202500475350
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Alcohol industry investment and public health messaging: FOI release

1. Ministerial briefings, submissions, or internal documents from January 2020 to present that: Reference both public health harms from alcohol and Public funding or economic promotion of the alcohol industry (e.g. distilleries, breweries, exporters, Scotch whisky industry, alcohol producers) 2. Any Cabinet papers, m...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.28 s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.36 s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-08-20
Reference: FOI/202500474795
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Clarification on Scottish Government correspondence response times: FOI release

I refer to your letter of 11 July 2025 in connection with my FOI request (your reference: 202500470931). In that letter, you state: "Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, we are normally required to respond within 20 working days. However, due to the volume and complexity of the information requested a...

FOI clarification 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.10(1) s.1(3) s.10(2) s.10(3) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-19
Reference: FOI/202500475608
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Short Life Working Group queries: FOI release

1. How long does the Scottish Government expect the Short Life Working Group relating to the For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers judgement to be in operation for? 2. Can you confirm how many civil servants are involved in the working group? 3. What action has this group so far taken? 4. Any correspondenc...

FOI cost limit 45 score 14 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.12

Published: 2025-08-18
Reference: FOI/202500475508
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Rifle licenses issued in Scotland queries: FOI release

The number of rifle licenses issued in Scotland for the past five years with available data; the calibres of the rifles that were licensed in the same period; and the purpose for which each license was issued for.

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.15 s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-18
Reference: FOI/202500474054
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Meetings held regarding peak rail fares: FOI release

1. The number of meetings that were held by the Scottish Government specifically regarding the scrapping of peak rail fares before the announcement contained within the 6th May Programme for Government. 2. The number of meetings that were held by the Scottish Government specifically regarding the scrapping of peak rai...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.3 s.4 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-14
Reference: FOI/202500471590
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

UK Government documentation regarding the "High-level principles of Air Departure Tax" publication: FOI release

All correspondence, meeting minutes and documentation reflecting interactions between the Scottish Government and UK Government which substantiate the following statement of ongoing action: “We are working with the UK Government to design a new Highlands and Islands exemption which will comply with subsidy control requ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.28(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-12
Reference: FOI/202500473295
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Special Advisers and ChatGPT documentation: FOI release

Any recorded transcripts, logs, outputs, or other documentation of interactions between Scottish Government Special Advisers and ChatGPT or any other large language model (LLM) from January 1, 2025, to June 18, 2025. This includes any saved chats, screenshots, exported files, or other relevant records held by the Scot...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-06
Reference: FOI/202500471620
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister’s Scotland 2050 Conference speech information: FOI release

Any briefings, briefing notes or draft speeches prepared for the First Minister’s Scotland 2050 Conference speech on 17 June 2025. Any email correspondence related to the First Minister’s Scotland 2050 Conference speech on 17 June 2025. The evidence for the First Minister’s statement in his speech that “That is why, li...

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25 s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-08-06
Reference: FOI/202500471428
Directorate: Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Police Pension Scheme Remedy Arrangements and Remedial Service Statements: FOI Review

Original request 202500462587 This FOI request concerns the Scottish Government and SPPA responsibilities around the 2015 Remedy arrangements for police pension schemes, the issue of Remediable Service Statements (RSSs) and the fact that SPPA breached the 31st March statutory deadline to issue RSSs to thousands of pen...

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

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500468754 Review of 202500462587
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Public investment and policy on alcohol industry and harm: FOI release

Question 1. Grants, Loans, and Other Financial Support to the Alcohol Industry (2010– Present) For all grants, loans, or financial incentives provided by the Scottish Government or its agencies to alcohol-related companies or trade bodies (e.g. whisky producers, brewers, distillers), please provide: Name of recipient...

FOI cost limit 45 score 8 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.12

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500472919
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Scottish Government building renovations: FOI release

Please provide the total amount that the Scottish Government has spent on renovations and interior decorations to the offices of Scottish Ministers in St Andrews House, Victoria Quay, and Atlantic Quay, broken down into a table to list the offices of each minister and to cover every financial year from 2021-22 to date.

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

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500461363
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

Ministerial employment date information: FOI release

Alasdair Allan MSP left his post as Minister for Energy on 15 June 2025 while Paul McLellan left his post as Minister for Housing on 11 June 2025 – what is the reason for the difference in end dates? Mr Allan’s resignation letter says “I was honoured to be asked to take this interim role, but that I only wanted it to b...

FOI not held 45 score 6 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-04
Reference: FOI/202500471446
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Total spend across Scottish Government Directorates: FOI release

What is the total value of current contracts you hold with external providers? Please provide data separately for the categories of goods, works and services. Please provide a list of current contracts with external providers showing the name of the provider, the service provided, and the value of the contract. Please...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.25(1) s.12 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-31
Reference: FOI/202500471876
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

First Minister and Scottish and Southern Energy meeting regarding the Skye project: FOI release

According to the Scottish Parliament Lobbying register, on the 17th March, 2025, the First Minister, John Swinney, met SSE at Edinburgh Castle at a dinner where the topic of discussion was the SSE Skye project “where we were already two and a half years into the process of consenting on an existing line. We Proposed a ...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-31
Reference: FOI/202500467585
Directorate: International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Economy, Public sector

Ministerial salary increase timing and messaging records: FOI Review

Original request 202500462016 Access to records related to the timing and public messaging of the recent ministerial salary increase. Specifically: 1. **Internal Communications:** - Emails, meeting minutes, and memos between the Office of the First Minister and the Public Relations teams discussing how the timing of ...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.2 s.25 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-30
Reference: FOI/202500466490 Review of 202500462016
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister and Eric Trump meeting notes: FOI release

Any correspondence with the Trump organisation between March 1 2025 and the current date. Any notes or briefings prepared for the FM ahead of his meeting with Eric Trump on 13 March 2025. Any minutes or note of the meeting between the FM and Eric Trump on 14 March 2025.

FOI not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-23
Reference: FOI/202500463947
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Business Improvement Districts Policy Changes (BIDs): FOI release

Access to any documents, correspondence, reports, or ministerial briefings from 2017-2019 related to the changes in the role of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Scotland, specifically the transition to ‘Improvement Districts’. This includes (but is not limited to): Internal communications between Scottish Gov...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts spending s.38(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.1 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-21
Reference: FOI/202500456342
Directorate: Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

Ministerial salary increase timing and messaging records: FOI release

Access to records related to the timing and public messaging of the recent ministerial salary increase. Specifically: 1. **Internal Communications:** - Emails, meeting minutes, and memos between the Office of the First Minister and the Public Relations teams discussing how the timing of the announcement was chosen. - ...

FOI not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-21
Reference: FOI/202500462016
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Tartan Day spend: FOI release

A) How many Scottish Government employees, ie MP’s, MSP’s, office staff, researchers, and anyone else who is paid from taxpayer’s money or public funds were in the party along with the First Minister on the recent trip to the USA for Tartan Day and other events including tourism and sporting events? B) What is the tot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) s.27(1) s.39(1) s.38(1) s.33(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-07-17
Reference: FOI/202500461315
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, International, Public sector

Scottish Government request responses and use of free & frank advice exception: FOI release

In this request, when I refer to ‘free and frank advice exceptions’ I mean to refer to the application of a exemption from disclosure of requested information from a public body as an FOI or EIR request on the grounds that disclosure would inhibit the free and frank provision of advice, inhibit the free and frank excha...

FOI clarification 80 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2A s.25(1) s.6(1) s.12 s.29(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-17
Reference: FOI/202500461547
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government Media Monitoring Unit annual outturn: FOI release

Please provide, from 2016-17 to present, the Scottish Government’s annual outturn on its Media Monitoring Unit. For years where you do not have outturn figures, please indicate this, and provide estimates and/or budgeted spend. If this unit has a budget for 2025-26, please provide this. Please break down these outturn ...

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

Published: 2025-07-17
Reference: FOI/202500460129
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector