Scottish Government FOI Index

17,099releases indexed

27,856attachments found

30.0avg calendar days

6,297partially withheld

2020-01-10oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 6,297 unclear 5,710 not held 2,434 released 1,096 already published 565 cost limit 491 clarification 264 withheld 186 transferred 56

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 3926 s.20 3344 s.34(1) 3080 s.39(2) 2635 s.30 2273 s.17(1) 2227 s.25(1) 1918 s.10(4) 1572 s.11(2) 1292 s.2 942 s.29(1) 927 s.3 712

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 1,007 releases · 28.2 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 813 releases · 30.8 avg days Marine Directorate 678 releases · 28.5 avg days Learning Directorate 617 releases · 35.4 avg days Population Health Directorate 557 releases · 29.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 532 releases · 36.5 avg days Economic Development Directorate 516 releases · 40.0 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 513 releases · 29.3 avg days

Clear

112 matching releases

Clyde cod licence condition information: EIR release

Application of the Precautionary Principle 1. What assessment was undertaken of the risk of serious or irreversible harm to Clyde cod when determining that the revoked Order would be replaced with a voluntary seasonal closure rather than binding protective measures? 2. How did Ministers assess whether the measures ad...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.9 s.12 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-11
Reference: EIR/202600509432
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Records relating to Raeshaw Estate General Licence restriction and associated communications: EIR release

Information relating to ministerial awareness and discussion of the General Licence restriction imposed by NatureScot in February 2026 on Raeshaw Estate in the Scottish Borders. More specifically: 1. All briefings, submissions, internal memoranda, or speaking notes prepared for: The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affair...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-28
Reference: FOI/202600508718
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

UK Energy Profits Levy documentation: EIR release

Your request, covering the timeframe from 1 September 2021 up to 26 May 2022 inclusive, asked for: 1. All correspondence, briefings, representations, or communications (including, but not limited to, emails, letters, minutes of meetings, internal briefing notes, WhatsApp or other messaging app messages, and any attach...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 44 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-30
Reference: EIR/202500496916
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Money and tax, Public sector

Special Advisor communications: FOI release

You asked for all communications that Senior Special Advisor Davie Hutchison sent and received the week of Monday 20 October.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.25 s.25(1) s.27 s.27(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.17 s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-24
Reference: FOI/202500491193
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Norwegian Mountain Salmon (NMS) correspondence: EIR release

Disclosure of all recorded information held by the Scottish Government relating to communications with Norwegian Mountain Salmon (NMS) during the period 1 January 2025 to 22 December 2025. For the avoidance of doubt, this request includes, but is not limited to: Emails (including internal and external emails) Letters...

FOI/EIR withheld 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-04
Reference: EIR/202500499541
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Transport Scotland - Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services 3 (CHFS3) information: EIR release

Under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, I request the following information regarding the CHFS3 Direct Award to CalMac Ferries Ltd: 1. Final Socio-Economic Impact Assessments: Any final (non-draft) reports or assessments conducted by or for Transport Scotland regarding the impact of the CHFS3 ...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.20 s.2 s.10(4) s.3 s.6(1) s.4 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-03
Reference: EIR/202500499619
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Habitats Regulations inquires: EIR release

1. “Internal correspondence of any sort (including WhatsApp and text messages) between Special Advisers, Scottish Ministers and Scottish Government (and agency) officials on the political risks associated with the Habitats Regulations provisions of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, from 1st January 2025 to prese...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)

Published: 2026-02-16
Reference: EIR/202500497206
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Oil and gas industry documentation: EIR release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including minutes/notes from meetings, correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings and analysis, about job losses in the oil and gas industry, from the last month? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Gove...

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10 s.7 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-11
Reference: EIR/202500493600
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Scottish Public Pensions Agency - Internal guidance for the Teachers Pension Scheme: FOI release

I am writing to request be supplied with a copy of certain SPPA Teachers Pension Scheme Internal Guidance documents. You should consider this request as a freedom of information request in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. I am requesting copies of: Internal Guidance document...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.2 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-11
Reference: FOI/202500493752
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 Delivery plan update 2025: EIR review

Original request – 202500479518 You asked for “All memos, emails, reports (internal or external) and other such information which formed a part of the evidence-base and rationale for the decision by Marine Directorate published on page 6 of Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 Delivery plan update 2025 v...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.11(2) s.10(4) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-07
Reference: EIR/202500484110 Review of 202500479518
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Proposed changes to UK energy market pricing structures: EIR release

Discussions with the UK Government Between 1 January 2025 and 31 August 2025, please provide details of any discussions the Scottish Government had (a) at official level and (b) at ministerial level with the UK Government concerning the potential introduction of a zonal pricing model in the UK energy market. Please in...

FOI/EIR already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.11 s.34(1) s.10(5) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-01
Reference: EIR/202500491475
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Scottish Government meetings with SSE: EIR Review

Original request: 202500459262 Please provide me with any documentation relevant to the following meetings, including but not limited to: a list of attendees and their affiliations what topics were discussed any briefings or other information provided to attendees or officials minutes, and any agreed actions On 12/7...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-18
Reference: EIR/202500468577 Review of 202500459262
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Population and advice on herring gulls and black backed gulls: EIR release

1. ‘Health Risks I would be grateful to view all documents comprising any analysis or other consideration of the health risks to humans posed by gulls, including risk of falls from swooping attacks, risks of ingestion of gull droppings, risks of respiratory and water based infections, including Histoplasmosis, Cryptoc...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500474601
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Ministerial correspondence with Salmon Scotland Chief Executive: EIR Review

Original Request - 202500471588 Written correspondence including (but not limited to) letters, emails, texts and WhatsApp messages, on any subject, from or to Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott, from or to the First Minister, Scottish Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers, Scottish Government Special Advisers, F...

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.20 s.11(2) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-10-22
Reference: FOI/202500476396 Review of 202500471588
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Freedom of Information (FOI) statistics: FOI release

1) The total number of FOI responses issued by the Scottish Government. 2) The number of FOI responses that were referred to a Special Adviser for review or comment prior to release. 3) The number of FOI responses that were referred for Ministerial approval or sign-off prior to release. 4) If recorded, the number of...

FOI/EIR clarification 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.12

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500471350
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding answer to Parliamentary Questions by Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy: EIR release

You asked for EIR 202500450327 to be re-answered and all redactions removed, stating that “the blanket application of section 10 of EIR to justify the redactions clearly did not meet the public interest test”. Details of EIR 202500450327: Your previous request asked for all internal Scottish Government correspondence...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.10 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-09-24
Reference: FOI/202500470810
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund documentation: EIR release

1. A copy of the report from Salix Finance regards the applications submitted to Phase 2 of Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund, including the following information (or if it is not provided yet, details of when it will be made available): a. Name of the applicant public body b. Address of the building ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-12
Reference: EIR/202500473687
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Ministerial correspondence with Salmon Scotland Chief Executive: EIR release

Written correspondence including (but not limited to) letters, emails, texts and WhatsApp messages, on any subject, from or to Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott, from or to the First Minister, Scottish Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers, Scottish Government Special Advisers, From 1 January 2024 to 18 June 202...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-08-07
Reference: EIR/202500471588
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Return on capital and renewables: EIR Review

Original request 202500463435 Copies of all internal Scottish Government email correspondence (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers) discussing the drafting of two items of correspondence: reference numbers 202500452014 and 202500458908.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.30 s.10(4) s.38(1) s.11(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: EIR/202500470326 Review of 202500463435
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Correspondence related to external requests received concerning a previous response: EIR release

1. All internal Scottish Government correspondence regarding EIR 202400434817 between 30 January 2025 and 27 March 2025. To clarify this should include: correspondence related to external requests received by the Scottish Government about the EIR 202400434817 such as journalists asking about the information contained ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-16
Reference: EIR/202500460380
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Exploration for oil and gas and low-carbon jobs correspondence: EIR release

You have asked for a range of information across multiple parts. This response covers the following parts of your request: 1) All correspondence between Ministers, Special Advisers and Officials relating to the policy proposal for a presumption against new exploration for oil and gas in the Scottish Government’s Draft...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: EIR/202500458970
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Ministerial correspondence, staffing and budget statement for the Offshore Wind Hub in Aberdeen: EIR release

1. All correspondence between Ministers, Special Advisers and Officials relating to the Scottish Government’s proposal to create an Offshore Wind Hub in Aberdeen as announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Local Government in the Scottish Government’s 2025/26 Budget Statement on 4 December 2024. 2. How many st...

FOI/EIR withheld 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.2

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500458971
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Drafting of the opening speech in the Scotland’s Renewable Future debate: EIR release

All internal Scottish Government correspondence, involving Civil Servants and/or Special Advisers, discussing the drafting of the opening speech made by Gillian Martin in the Scotland’s Renewable Future debate held in the Scottish Parliament on 4th March 2025.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence special advisers s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2025-06-18
Reference: EIR/202500455795
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Green Volt Project correspondence: EIR release

“May I request the following information under freedom of information legislation: All email or letter correspondence received by the Scottish Government from external organisations relating to the Green Volt Project since 15 January 2023. For Scottish Ministers and special advisers, all instant message exchanges the...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.7 s.34(1) 14 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202400434817
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Criteria for responding to FOI requests: FOI release

1) It is a requirement that SPADs and/or the FM's chief of staff clear FOI responses from civil servants in the FOI unit? 2) How many FOIs were received by the Scottish Government in 2024, and how many of these were cleared by SPADs and/or FM's chief of staff before release? 3) What is the purpose of the following em...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.3 s.12 s.25(1) s.5

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500447375
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills