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

68 matching releases

A90/A937 Laurencekirk Junction correspondence: EIR release

Information in relation to the A90/A937 Laurencekirk Junction, specifically:- “1. Compulsory Purchase Process and Statutory Delays: All internal correspondence, legal opinions, and documents (including minutes of meetings) from January 2016 onwards related to the compulsory purchase process and any disputes causing d...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 302 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.3 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-16
Reference: FOI/202400434750
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Scottish Government legal costs incurred: FOI release

I am writing to ask if you can please provide me with full details of the costs incurred by the Scottish Government to date in respect of legal costs for the following: In referring to costs I mean the costs paid out to third party solicitors and the Advocates, but also of any in house legal costs - an estimate of the...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.30 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-11-21
Reference: FOI/202400434474
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Visitor levy (tourist tax), council tax and canal boats: FOI release

1. Does the Scottish Government intend the forthcoming visitor levy (tourist tax) to be applied to canal boats that are hired as overnight accommodation, or are they intended to be exempt? Please would you refer to any written communication clarifying what the intention is. 2. Please provide data showing a) how many r...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence meetings s.2 s.4 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-10-04
Reference: FOI/202400426134
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Freedom of Information guidance, monitoring the social media profiles of journalists and sex offender name changing: FOI release

1. Could you supply the full internal guidance/guidebook for dealing with FOIs which the Scottish Government abide by, including whether Special Advisers are given first look at them, and what details they are provided with? 2. Could you supply details about whether the Scottish Government monitor the social media pro...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-02
Reference: FOI/202400408156
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Law and order, Public sector

Scottish Artificial Intelligence (AI) register, National Strategy for Economic Transformation and the Hate Hurts video: FOI release

1. All discussions and analysis written by the Scottish Government about the decision to become the first part of the UK to make it mandatory to register any use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the public sector. -The full cost of creating the Scottish AI register, with full breakdown of this. 2. All discussion...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.2 s.12 s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.28 s.38 s.36(1) s.34(1) s.36 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400408520
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Communities and third sector, Economy, +1 more … Public sector

XL Bully ban evidence and analysis: EIR release

1. Could you supply all analysis done by the Scottish Government on how many XL Bullies are now in Scotland following the ban in England and Wales. 2. Humza Yousaf said in an interview on January 5 that "We have a very controlled and quite tight regime when it comes to the management of animals, control of dogs, and t...

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

Published: 2024-08-29
Reference: EIR/202400394658
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Gender Reform Recognition Bill: FOI release

1. Full costs of the court case about the Gender Reform Recognition Bill, including expenses claims, and a full breakdown of these costs. 2. How many civil servants worked on the court case and what were their roles? 3. Correspondence between the Scottish Government, including internal correspondence, and Scottish Tr...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.2 s.35 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.37(1) s.28(1) s.5 s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300385351
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Fairer Council Tax: consultation and proposals: FOI release

1. How much money has been spent on the Scottish Government looking into the Fairer Council Tax proposal over the last five years, with a breakdown of each year and what the money has been spent on? 2. How many consultations has the government published about this topic and similar policies on the Fairer Council Tax p...

FOI not held 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.2 s.3 s.29(1) s.30 s.38 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300387208
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Independent Scotland: FOI release

1.All meetings held or attended by Jamie Hepburn between July 1 2023 and the date of this FOI, including minutes/notes from them, and a list of attendees. 2. How many social media videos about independence have been created by the Scottish Government so far this year? List of these videos and the costs of creating the...

FOI not held 70 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.2 s.5T s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.25(1) s.36(1) s.12 4 attachments

Published: 2024-08-14
Reference: FOI/202300377797
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Various questions regarding COVID-19: FoI release

1. How many of Humza Yousaf's cabinet use their personal emails for government business? List of who does. 2. What was the final outcome of Ruth Charteris investigating into missing WhatsApps as referenced here: https://news.sky.com/story/scotlands-first-minister-humza-yousaf-to-fully-investigate-concerns-messages-not-...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending whatsapp s.2 s.17(1) s.3 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-09
Reference: FOI/202400392573
Directorate: Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public safety and emergencies, +1 more … Public sector

Recruitment processes for "Senior Policy Advisors - Various Climate Change Posts" from June 2022: FOI release

1. What were the circumstances that related to the cancelling of 12 posts advertised externally under the heading "Senior Policy Advisors - Various Climate Change Posts" reference 2022-2955, which closed to external applicants on 2 June 2022? What was the nature of the 'internal business review' that was stated as the ...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence meetings spending s.9 s.2 s.3 s.15 s.6

Published: 2022-12-06
Reference: FOI/202200314931
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Redress Scotland solicitor fees: FOI release

1. Are solicitors allowed to charge a 10 percent fee for helping the survivors of csa or are they just entitled to a set amount of fees? https://www.gov.scot/publications/redress-survivors-historical-child-abuse-care-scotlandact-2021-statutory-guidance-payment-legal-fees-related-decisions-made-redressscotland/#:~:text=...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.96 s.2 s.25(1)

Published: 2022-12-06
Reference: FOI/202200315429
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

External legal advice incurred relating to Referendum: FOI release

1) The cost of all external legal advice incurred by the Scottish Government producing the Lord Advocate’s written case to the Supreme Court on the question of whether a referendum on Scottish independence relates to reserved matters. 2) If possible, the lawyers/firms in receipt of the funds the Scottish Government pro...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.2 s.27 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-10-05
Reference: FOI/202200312733
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence with Lord Advocate regarding the Supreme Court: FOI release

1) Any correspondence, including meetings, notes, memos, agendas, ministerial briefings and minutes, between the Scottish Government and the office of the Lord Advocate on the topic of the Lord Advocate's reference to the Supreme Court between January 1, 2022 and June 28, 2022. This should include any emails, letters, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-08-22
Reference: FOI/202200312193
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Sexual abuse in Scottish football: FOI release

1. In that request, I was informed that the Scottish Government had not made contact with the United States Department of Justice, The New Jersey Attorney General, or both. Since the previous request: 1.1 Has the Scottish Government made contact with either or both? 1.2 If no contact has been made, can it be explained...

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.1 s.2 s.3 s.17 s.5

Published: 2022-05-17
Reference: FOI/202200289175
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, 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

Details of the Scottish Government Dalzell agreement: FOI release

Details on the Scottish Government's Dalzell agreement, specifically: On what date concerns regarding the indemnity were first raised with Ministers. What (i) legal, and (ii) external advice has the Scottish Government taken on the effect or legality of the indemnity. What, if any, assessments it has made on financial ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.2 s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29

Published: 2022-02-21
Reference: FOI/202100267443
Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Information regarding complaint made by Alex Salmond: FOI review

I previously sent an FOI regarding an allegation that the name of a complainer had been revealed to Mr Geoff Aberdein by a senior Scottish Government official. A complaint had been made about this by Mr Alex Salmond, and I asked a series of questions regarding this. It is only recently that I have been made aware throu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence s.21(4) s.1 s.2 s.26 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.6 4 attachments

Published: 2022-01-31
Reference: FOI/202100254262 review of 202100244471
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

A75 traffic controls within Springholm: EIR review

1. Details of the time delays now operating at the Springholm A75 eastbound and westbound entering and exiting channel signals between initial detection of a speeding approaching vehicle and the commencement of presentation of the amber signal preceding red. If this delay varies according to signal approach location, t...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence meetings contracts s.7 s.6 s.6(1) s.2 s.3 s.10(4) s.17(1) s.16

Published: 2021-12-22
Reference: FOI/202100251313 review of 202100242248
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Correspondence regarding Covid-19 bereaved families: FOI release

1. All correspondence, emails, record of phone calls, notes, including text messages received either by John Swinney or Humza Yousaf from Aamer Anwar seeking or making arrangements to meet Covid19 Bereaved Families for Justice Group or in relation to a request for a Public Inquiry or the date of a Public Inquiry into C...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.5 s.12 s.6 s.25(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2021-12-08
Reference: FOI/202100247071
Directorate: Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

COVID-19 details of vaccine passports, vaccine policy and covid isolation: FOI release

Information on a variety of issues including - Vaccine Passports, Testing, and Injections for Children. We have broken down the key components of your request as they were handled by different areas. The separate sections are then numbered for ease of understanding. We have identified 10 main questions from your reques...

FOI not held 45 score 45 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2021-11-30
Reference: FOI/202100244670
Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Cost to Scottish Government of its participation of recent inquiry’s: FOI release

1. Any estimate and breakdown of the cost to the Scottish Government of its participation in the Scottish Parliament Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints. 2. Any estimate and breakdown of the cost to the Scottish Government of the James Hamilton inquiry. 3. Any estimate and breakdown o...

FOI unclear 55 score 75 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.2 s.12 s.17(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2021-10-07
Reference: FOI/202100209285
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

COVID-19: Closure of places of worship: FOI release

1) I would be extremely grateful if you could email me a full copy of the Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment - as well as a full copy of all the evidence underpinning the same Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment - specifically pertaining to worshippers and Places of Worship that the Scottish Minister(s...

FOI not held 70 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.2 s.20 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2021-03-22
Reference: FOI/202100133792
Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Equality and rights, +2 more … Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Culchunaig Farmhouse planning application: EIR release

Information regarding planning application 18/04194/FUL - Culchunaig Farmhouse, Westhill Inverness, you also asked specific questions regarding the handling of the same case. 1. Please inform me of the name of the signatory of the decision letter of 17 November in relation to the above aqpplication and an organogram sh...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.2 s.6 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2021-03-22
Reference: FOI/202000114543
Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Questions concerning legislation and police powers in enforcing restrictions: FOI release

1. Copies of all the scientific evidence used to determine the efficacy of Scotland's 4 tiers rules. 2. Details of devolved legislative powers being used by Scotland to enforce these 4 tiers. 3. Details of devolved legislative powers being used or will be used to prevent travel in / out of Scotland and around Scotlan...

FOI unclear 55 score 49 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2 s.3 s.4 s.6 s.25(1) s.20 s.49

Published: 2020-12-11
Reference: FOI/202000103347
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Law and order, +1 more … Public sector