Scottish Government FOI Index

21,864releases indexed

39,478attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

8,113partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-06-12newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,113 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

2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263

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

1,314 matching releases

Correspondence regarding Scotland offshore wind potential: EIR release

FOI request: In November 2022 the Scottish Government announced that it would be updating the discredited statistic that Scotland has 25% of Europe’s offshore wind potential. Please provide: 1. All internal Scottish Government correspondence (8th November 2022 - date) related to the updating of the statistic, includi...

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

Published: 2023-06-15
Reference: FOI/202300356373
Directorate: Chief Economist Directorate
Topic: Economy, Energy, Public sector

Renewable electricity capacity by 2030: EIR release

1. The evidence that Scottish Ministers and/or the Directorate for Energy and Climate Change has used in order to calculate that Scotland requires ‘at least 20 Gigawatts of additional low-cost renewable electricity capacity by 2030’ (see Scotland’s Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan January 10th 2023). 2. The ev...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1)

Published: 2023-06-14
Reference: FOI/202300354295
Directorate: Chief Economist Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Average response times for an FOI request: FOI release

1) The mean, median and maximum response times for an FOI to the Scottish Government over the last 12 months. 2) The number and percentage of FOIs that were referred to Special Advisers for each month of the last five years. 3) The mean, median and maximum response times for all FOIs referred to Special Advisers over t...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.3 s.20 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-05-25
Reference: FOI/202300352495
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence relating to the A9 Dualling Programme: EIR release

Any correspondence (Emails and WhatsApp messages) between John Swinney MSP and Jenny Gilruth MSP about the A9 dualling between 1 December 2023 and 22 February 2023. Any correspondence (Emails, WhatsApp messages, meeting notes) between Jenny Gilruth MSP and Transport Scotland about the A9 dualling between 1 December 202...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 38 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(5) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-05-23
Reference: FOI/202300344674
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Deposit Return Scheme applications and exemptions: EIR release

The number of requests for exemption from the requirement to operate a retail return point under the Deposit Return Scheme for each month since the 1st October 2022. The number of applications per month (i) where a proximity exemption was granted, and (ii) where an environmental health exemption was granted, since 1st ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-05-16
Reference: FOI/202300349939
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme - Concerns for small producers: EIR 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 Lorna Slater's meeting on DRS concerns with small producers.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-05-10
Reference: FOI/202300343220
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Emails received by Lorna Slater relating to Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

Any emails that have been received by Scottish Government minister Lorna Slater MSP that mention the Deposit Return Scheme, due to go live on the 16 August 2023, between the 10 December 2022 and 10 February 2023. If this provides too many responses, please narrow the timeline from 10 January 2023 to 10 February 2023.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 36 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-05-10
Reference: FOI/202300342950
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Media Requests regarding Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

'Could you supply a list of how many requests have been made for government ministers to talk about the deposit return scheme since December 1 until the date of this FOI, including who was requested, when, what media outlet requested them, what your answer was, and what excuse was made if the request was rejected? Coul...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 12 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-05-09
Reference: FOI/202300344254
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme - Circularity Scotland correspondence with Lorna Slater: EIR release

Has the Scottish Government done any research on the possibility of Scots heading across the border to England to purchase bottles and containers due to cheaper prices when the deposit return scheme comes in? If so, could you supply the research? If you haven't, why not? Was Lorna Slater consulted on a change in handli...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)

Published: 2023-05-09
Reference: FOI/202300346545
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Emails received by First Minister mentioning Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

“Any emails that have been received by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that mention the Deposit Return Scheme, due to go live on the 16 August 2023, between the 10 December 2022 and 10 February 2023. If this provides too many responses, please narrow the timeline from 10 January 2023 to 10 February 2023.”

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-05-09
Reference: FOI/202300342951
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme Exemption Statistics: EIR release

“Please can you supply the following, (broken down by month since applications via Zero Waste Scotland opened): 1. The number of deposit return scheme proximity exemption applications a) received, b) accepted or c)declined. 2. The number of deposit return scheme environmental health exemption applications a) received...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-05-09
Reference: FOI/202300343924
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Gordonbush Wind Farm and Gordonbush Hydrogen Demonstrator Project: EIR release

Information on Gordonbush Wind Farm and Gordonbush Hydrogen Demonstrator Project. Please provide details of all meetings held between Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson (NetZero/Energy) and SSE Renewables in which the Gordonbush wind farm has been discussed. Please also include all discussions related to the proposed ...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-05-02
Reference: FOI/202300347852
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Scottish Ministers' appointing Circularity Scotland Ltd as administrator of Deposit Return Scheme: EIR Review

Original request - 202200276068 1. The application to become administrator of the deposit return scheme submitted to Scottish ministers by Circularity Scotland Ltd, and any other supporting or additional information provided by Circularity Scotland Ltd to support that application, as specified in section 14 of the regu...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 101 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts s.14 s.2 s.15 s.10(5) s.20 s.10(1) s.10(2) s.10 s.11(2) s.34(1) s.2(1) s.39(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-04-20
Reference: FOI/202200298347 Review of 202200276068
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

MSP and Transport Scotland meetings relating to A9 dualling target: EIR release

Can you confirm when Jenny Gilruth MSP was first informed by Transport Scotland that the 2025 target to dual the A9 would not be met? Can you confirm when John Swinney MSP was first informed by Transport Scotland that the 2025 target to dual the A9 would not be met? Can you confirm when John Swinney MSP was first inf...

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 38 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.6(1) s.20

Published: 2023-04-19
Reference: FOI/202300344671
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Scotland’s share of Europe’s potential offshore wind resource: EIR Review

Original request - 202200325962 All internal Scottish Government discussion (including between Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) relating to the question of Scotland’s share of Europe’s potential offshore wind resource, restricting the search to dates between 6th May 2021 and 20th October 2022. You also ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-04-12
Reference: FOI/202300336651 Review of 202200325962
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Sewage overflow incident at Loch Leven: EIR release

Please provide me with a copy of the information that the Minister for Environment and Land Reform received from SEPA in regards to an sewage overflow incident at Loch Leven on 8th September which the Minister referred to during the Sewage and Scotland’s Water Member’s Business Debate on 26th October 2022. Please inclu...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-03-24
Reference: foi/202200328169
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme exemption requests: EIR release

The number of requests for exemption to operate a retail return point under the Deposit Return Scheme for each month since the exemption application process opened, the number of applications per month (i) where a proximity exemption was granted, and (ii) where an environmental health exemption was granted and the numb...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-03-21
Reference: FOI/202200325817
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Sea Lice Risk Framework: EIR release

“Information pertaining to: All instructions / commissioning / actions / directives made by Scottish Government to SEPA in respect to the Sea Lice Risk Framework, including (but not limited to): Those relating to the initial scoping and development of the framework, prior to public consultation. Those relating to the c...

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

Published: 2023-03-20
Reference: FOI/202200310195
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Transport minister meeting with Fergus Ewing MSP: EIR release

Please supply all items of information held in relation to the briefing prepared for transport minister Jenny Gilruth for her meeting with Fergus Ewing MSP about road safety on 25 October 2022, and all notes and records of the event, and associated correspondence. This is listed in the Scottish Government's ministerial...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-03-20
Reference: FOI/202300338584
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Correspondence received by Michael Matheson on Water management: EIR release

Internal and external correspondence received by the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson MSP, regarding ‘water management’ and ‘drought management’ between 1 September 2021 and the present day.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 52 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-03-17
Reference: FOI/202200322006
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cost of the Moy to Tomatin section of the A9: EIR release

Following Transport Secretary Jenny Gilruth's statement confirming the A9 will not be dualled by 2025, could I request the following information under Freedom of Information: 1. On what date was the decision made by Scottish Ministers that the cost of the Moy to Tomatin section was too high to represent value for money...

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

Published: 2023-03-14
Reference: FOI/202300342817
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Imports, disease and biosecurity in relation to Atlantic salmon and salmon farming: EIR release

Information relating to the subject area of ‘imports, disease and biosecurity’ in relation to Atlantic salmon and salmon farming. The questions posed and information requested covered a number of areas including, import notifications, refusals to allow imports, authorisations associated with Aquaculture Production Busi...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.1 s.20 s.39(2) s.7 s.11(2) s.10(4) s.9 s.10 s.3 s.34(1) s.6(1)

Published: 2023-03-14
Reference: FOI/202200279510
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Delays to A9 dualling: EIR release

The Transport Secretary told MSPs in the Scottish Parliament that the dualling of this road was unachievable by 2025 and said the delay was due to the Pandemic, Brexit and the Ukraine situation. To that end I would be grateful if you could provide me with the following information: 1. Scottish Government to provide evi...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1)

Published: 2023-03-14
Reference: FOI/202300342986
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Meeting between Lorna Slater and Dr Pete Cheema: EIR release

All items of information held in relation to the briefing prepared for Green Skills minister Lorna Slater for her meeting with Dr Pete Cheema OBE and others on 12 October 2022 about the circular economy, and all notes and records of this meeting. The meeting is listed in the Scottish Government's ministerial engagement...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-03-10
Reference: FOI/202300339740
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Public sector

PhD students at university: FOI release

1. In each of the last five academic years, how many PhD candidates were supervised by the university since 2018? 2. In each of the last five academic years, how many UK domestic resident PhD candidates were supervised by the university since 2018? 3. What amount of PhD fees are charged by the university for the superv...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.25(1) s.17(1) s.20 s.3

Published: 2023-03-09
Reference: FOI/202300341865
Directorate: Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector