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

132 matching releases

Democracy Matters Steering Group information: FOI release

Information about the Democracy Matters Steering Group including if the group was formed, when this group met and for how long, when they are scheduled to meet next, who are members of the group, if it has produced a report, who it was reported to and will it be available to the public and lastly whether members of the...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1)

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600502250
Directorate: Public Service Reform Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Public sector

Abortion Law Review Expert Group materials relating to abortion, healthcare and reproductive rights: FOI release

All correspondence (including but not limited to emails, letters, meeting notes, messages, and attachments) between members of the Abortion Law Review Expert Group and MSPs, Special Advisers, and/or Scottish Government civil servants relating to abortion, healthcare and reproductive rights, prior to the establishment o...

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

Published: 2026-05-11
Reference: FOI/202600504175
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Communication with Minister for Parliamentary Business and his office relating to the Proposed Prostitution (Offences and Support) Bill: FOI Review

Original request: 202600505368 Please provide all communication to and from Graeme Day, Minister for Parliamentary Business and his office relating to the Proposed Prostitution (Offences and Support) Bill The bill was also known as the Unbuyable bill and was brought forward by Ash Regan MSP. Please also provide any co...

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.38 s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-05
Reference: FOI/202600510164 review of 202600505368
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group information: FOI Review

Original Request 202500491045 Information regarding the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group. 1. The dates and minutes of all meetings of the Group held since 1 January 2023. 2. A list of any sub-groups or working groups established by the Group, with their purpose and membership where availabl...

FOI already published 80 score 7 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-01
Reference: FOI/202500495559 - Review of 202500491045
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Register of Child Welfare Reporters: FOI release

Information in relation to Section 9 of the Children (Scotland) Act 2020 (the 2020 Act), which inserts Section 101A into the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and places a statutory duty on Scottish Ministers to establish and maintain a register of Child Welfare Reporters (CWRs)

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.9 s.10 s.17(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.27(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-23
Reference: FOI/202600506694
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Senior Special Adviser communications: FOI release

Communications sent and received by Senior Special Adviser Jeanette Campbell during the week commencing Monday 2 February 2026.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.25 s.27(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-21
Reference: FOI/202600505102
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Social Security Scotland - Employee job title and salary information: FOI release

Request for information 1: The number of employees in your organisation with any of the phrase’s “diversity,” “inclusion,” “equality” or “equity” in their job title in the financial years 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 to date. Please also provide the salaries paid to them in each of these financial yea...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-16
Reference: FOI/202600504429
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Documentation that mentions Former SNP Chief Executive Officer: FOI release

Please disclose any emails or WhatsApps sent between Scottish Government officials, including any special advisers, which contain the words “Peter Murrell” sent between 1 January 2026, and February 17, 2026.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers contracts whatsapp s.25(1) s.17(1) s.17 s.30 s.3 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-07
Reference: FOI/202600507146
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, 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

First Minister's visit to Washington DC - Meetings with Lord Peter Mandelson and the attendance to the State Banquet: FOI release

I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. This request concerns First Minister John Swinney's visit to Washington DC between 7-10 September 2025, his interactions with Lord Peter Mandelson (then UK Ambassador to the United States), and any knowledge or discussi...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.17 s.25(1) s.28(1) s.32(1) s.38 s.25 s.28 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-10
Reference: FOI/202600505175
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Senior Constitution Special Adviser communications: FOI release

All recorded communications sent to or from Senior Constitution Special Adviser Ewan Crawford during the period 24 November 2025 to 30 November 2025 inclusive. This includes emails, letters, briefing material, and messages held on Scottish Government systems.

FOI already published 80 score 15 working days correspondence special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.25 s.27(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496219
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Special Adviser to the First Minister communications: FOI release

All recorded communications sent to or from Senior Special Adviser David Hutchison during the period 24 November 2025 to 30 November 2025 inclusive. This includes emails, letters, briefing material, and messages held on Scottish Government systems.

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.28(1) s.28 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496223
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial Code Advisers and Senior Civil Servants correspondence: FOI release

1. All the correspondence between Scottish Ministers/special advisers/senior civil servants and any of the ministerial code advisers since 3 January 2025. This should include emails, instant messages, letters, meetings (and minutes of those meetings) and phone calls. 2. How many Scottish Government employees are secon...

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.25(1)I s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-29
Reference: FOI/202500490297
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Hamilton Report redaction queries: FOI release

1. Is this passage stating that neither Gavin Henderson (Deputy Director – Organisational Continuity Team), Neil Rennick (Director – Organisational Continuity Team) nor Lesley Fraser (Director General Corporate) made the physical redactions to the Hamilton Report? 2. If so, I do not understand the material difference ...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers briefings s.14(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2026-01-26
Reference: FOI/202500489293
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Meetings held between Scottish Government ministers and the Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP): FOI release

1. All correspondence between Scottish Government Ministers and their special advisers and Keith Brown MSP. This should include all email correspondence with and from his MSP email, SNP email and any other email accounts used by Keith Brown since 6 May 2025. 2. All meetings (including virtual) Keith Brown MSP has atte...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500487575
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence on whether a correction to the Official Report was necessary regarding remarks on Professor Alexis Jay: FOI release

You asked "for the period 16th September 2025 - date, please provide all internal and external correspondence (including by direct messaging application) and notes of phone calls or meetings (in person or virtual) which discuss the question of whether a correction to the Official Report was necessary with respect to re...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500498692
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Correspondence and meeting notes in relation to the handling of request 202500472911: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence and meeting notes etc. in relation to the preparation, handling and clearance of the response to FOI 202500472911. Notably, this should include FOI response clearance comments from the Scottish Government Executive Team, SG Communications, SpAds and Ministers.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.25(1) s.15 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-02
Reference: FOI/202500481037
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Meetings between the First Minister and SSE PLC Chairman: FOI release

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 regarding meetings between John Swinney, the current First Minister, and Sir John Manzoni, SSE plc Chairman who serves as a special and alleged “independent” adviser to the First Minister. Specifically, I would like to obtain reco...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.2 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-05
Reference: FOI/202500478775
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

East Calder Medical Centre materials: FOI release

Request 1: Ministerial Briefings I am requesting copies of any ministerial briefings, including but not limited to briefing notes, summaries, internal memos or background papers, provided to any Scottish Government Minister between 1 January 2024 and 30 July 2025 regarding East Calder Medical Centre. This includes doc...

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.29(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) s.25 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-04
Reference: FOI/202500478023
Directorate: Health and Social Care Finance Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Overseas trips conducted by the First Minister: FOI release

1. Overseas trips conducted by the first minister since 01 January 2024 including all countries visited on each trip. 2. The number of officials who accompanied the first minister on each trip. 3. The total cost of flights and accommodation for each trip, including for officials. 4. The class of flight tickets purch...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.4 s.25(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1)

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500478455
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence with Former Chief of Staff to the Former First Minister: FOI release

For the period 1st January 2024 to 30 June 2025, please provide copies of all correspondence between the Scottish Government (including ministers, civil servants, press officers, and special advisers) and Liz Lloyd, former Chief of Staff to Nicola Sturgeon. In addition, and over the same period, please provide a list ...

FOI already published 80 score 83 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25 s.30 s.36(1) s.36 s.37 s.38(1) s.25(1) s.36(2) s.37(1) s.38 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500473602
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Transport Scotland's involvement in ScotRail Alcohol Policy Reversal: FOI release

Information regarding Transport Scotland’s involvement in the lifting of the alcohol ban on ScotRail services. 1. Any briefing documents, reports, meeting notes, or correspondence from 2023 to present regarding the reintroduction of alcohol consumption on ScotRail trains 2. Any records of internal discussion on: Pas...

FOI already published 80 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.1 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.38 2 attachments

Published: 2025-10-09
Reference: FOI/202500477652
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Correspondence from Senior Special Adviser which includes the phrase “zonal pricing”: FOI release

For the period 8th May 2024 - date, please provide all correspondence sent by, or to, Davie Hutchison (Senior Special Adviser) which includes the phrase “zonal pricing”.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-04
Reference: FOI/202500459477
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, 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

Kneecap performance at Trnsmt documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about Kneecap performing at Trnsmt, from the last two months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence special advisers briefings meetings spending s.38(1) s.25 s.25(1) s.34(1) s.38 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-18
Reference: FOI/202500474252
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector