Scottish Government FOI Index

22,922releases indexed

40,952attachments found

29.5avg calendar days

8,507partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-11-04newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,507 unclear 7,460 not held 3,292 released 1,599 already published 716 cost limit 637 clarification 377 withheld 251 transferred 83

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5225 s.20 4485 s.34(1) 3789 s.39(2) 3640 s.30 3038 s.17(1) 2981 s.25(1) 2557 s.10(4) 2089 s.11(2) 1639 s.29(1) 1249 s.2 1245 s.3 980

Timeline

2026-11 48 2026-10 227 2026-09 8 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,336 releases · 27.8 avg days Marine Directorate 991 releases · 29.7 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 972 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 741 releases · 39.6 avg days Constitution Directorate 710 releases · 35.8 avg days Population Health Directorate 678 releases · 28.6 avg days People Directorate 667 releases · 25.5 avg days

Clear

2,557 matching releases

Short life working group information: FOI release

1. Minutes/notes of all meetings of the short life working group established to co-ordinate the Scottish Government's response to the Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland vs. The Scottish Ministers; 2. A copy of the terms of reference for the working group, and any notes on how these terms of reference were cr...

FOI withheld 80 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.27(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-12
Reference: FOI/202500472952
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Scottish Government economic assessment queries: FOI release

1. Any economic growth assessment carried out in relation to the Scottish Government’s 2025-26 Budget and/or Programme for Government 2025-26. This means any assessment conducted by the relevant Scottish Government directorate analysing the impact of the Scottish Government’s budget or programme for government on Scotl...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.30 s.27 s.25(1) s.27(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-12
Reference: FOI/202500474127
Directorate: Chief Economist Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Short-term let licensing cost neutrality oversight and compliance: FOI release

1. Oversight of Cost Neutrality a) What mechanisms are in place to monitor whether local authorities are complying with the cost neutrality requirement under the Short-Term Let licensing framework? b) Has the Scottish Government requested or received any data or assurance from councils on: STL licence fee income vs. ...

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.12 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-11
Reference: FOI/202500472513
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill documentation: FOI release

1. All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received, minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, and analysis, about the not proven verdict being scrapped, from the last three months. 2. All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and receiv...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.8 s.25(1) s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-11
Reference: FOI/202500472621
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Details of meetings with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change: FOI release

Any meetings held between Scottish Government Ministers and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change since 6 May 2021. Please provide a note of who attended and what was discussed, if held. Any meetings held between Scottish Government Civil Servants and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change since 6 May 2021. Pl...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.12 s.25 s.25(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-11
Reference: FOI/202500472771
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice decision on universal Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: FOI release

The date the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice decided that a universal Pension Age Winter Heating Payment was “no longer important” and for all details the Cabinet Secretary relied upon to make the decision.

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

Published: 2025-08-07
Reference: FOI/202500473293
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government writing style guide list of words to avoid: FOI release

You asked for ‘A list of banned words as referred to in the attached style guide as “words to avoid”.’

FOI unclear 80 score 13 working days correspondence s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-07
Reference: FOI/202500473284
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Commission on Social Security budget and staffing queries: FOI release

1. The total operational budget of Scottish Commission on Social Security in the Financial Years a) 2022/23, b) 2023/24, and c) 2024/25. 2. The total headcount of Scottish Commission on Social Security in the Financial Years a) 2022/23, b) 2023/24, and c) 2024/25. 3. The total FTE number of staff employed by Scottish...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 14 working days correspondence s.25(1) s.38(1)

Published: 2025-08-06
Reference: FOI/202500472581
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Voter identification requirements at the General Election documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about voter ID requirements at the General Election, between November 1 2024 and May 1 2025.

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

Published: 2025-08-06
Reference: FOI/202500470457
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Benefit fraud statistics: FOI release

Your request for information 1: How many cases of benefit fraud have been reported to Social Security Scotland in the past five financial years? (Broken down by 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25). Your request for information 2: Of these cases, how much money did victims lose in total? (Broken down by same y...

FOI unclear 55 score 10 working days correspondence s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-08-06
Reference: FOI/202500473083
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Preparatory work completed by Scottish Government regarding USA tariffs: FOI release

On BBC Good Morning Scotland on April 3, Kate Forbes said that the Scottish Government had done 'preparatory work' on potential tariffs from the USA, could you supply this preparatory work which was undertaken?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.28 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500461356
Directorate: International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic: International, 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

Carbon Removers and Green Hydrogen export to Germany: FOI release

“Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from the meeting, and briefings, about John Swinney's visit to the Carbon Removers on December 10 2024? Between November 15 2024 and December 30 2024” and “Could you suppl...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.28 s.29(1) s.30 s.32(1) s.33(1) s.36(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500464787
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Scottish Enterprise funding for companies in the defence sector: FOI release

Any information or communication held related to discussions between the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise on the subject of Scottish Enterprise funding for arms companies/companies in the defence sector, OR on the subject of Scottish Enterprise’s human rights checks between July 1st 2024 and the present date...

FOI already published 80 score 54 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-05
Reference: FOI/202500462507
Directorate: International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Additional Support Needs (ASN) training and resources information: FOI release

1. ASN Training and Professional Learning Please provide details of any Additional Support Needs (ASN) training, professional learning programs, or guidance materials that the Scottish Government has developed, delivered, or endorsed in the past five years. This includes: In-person training sessions Online modules or...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.17(1) s.33(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2025-08-04
Reference: FOI/202500468381
Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Equality and Human Rights Fund information: FOI release

Details of the funding made since 01 April 2025 from the Equality and Human Rights Fund, as well as funding applications and grant offer letters for 4 individual organisations.

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-04
Reference: FOI/202500468614
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Transport Scotland spend on overtime, agency staff, consultants and social media advertising: FOI release

Please provide the total amount that Transport Scotland spent on overtime and agency costs broken down into a table to reflect every financial year since 2021-22. Please provide the total amount that Transport Scotland spent on external consultants broken down into a table to reflect every financial year since 2021-22....

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.25(1) s.17(1) s.27(1)

Published: 2025-08-04
Reference: FOI/202500468464
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Scottish Health Boards currently receiving enhanced support: FOI release

1. A list of NHS Health Boards in Scotland that are currently receiving enhanced support from the Scottish Government under the tiered approach to enhanced engagement in relation to healthcare service provision, specifically in the area of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS). 2. A breakdown of the number of Hea...

FOI released 75 score 14 working days correspondence s.25(1)

Published: 2025-08-04
Reference: FOI/202500470437
Directorate: Mental Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Winter Fuel Payment documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal) minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about the Winter Fuel Payment, from the last month.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.25(1) s.28(1) s.30(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-04
Reference: FOI/202500468815
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, 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

Attracting highly skilled talent to Scotland documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about attracting highly skilled talent to Scotland within the NHS and health sector, from the last three months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-31
Reference: FOI/202500467584
Directorate: Health Workforce Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Running Out Racism correspondence and meetings: FOI release

1. The dates and locations of all meetings between 1 December 2021 and 26 March 2025 that Scottish Government ministers or Scottish Government officials had (a) with Running out Racism (with or without others) and/or (b) with Paul Reddish (with or without others). 2. Any and all letters, emails or other forms of commu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.4 s.5 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-31
Reference: FOI/202500459291
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Celtic Boys Club historical abuse correspondence: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about the Celtic Boys Club grooming scandal, from the last three months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-31
Reference: FOI/202500468581
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Ernst and Young contract details: FOI release

Details of all contracts the Scottish Government has had with Ernst and Young since 2020. This should include details of the project the contract relates to, the amount of money ScotGov paid EY to carry out the project, the rationale for outsourcing the work rather than the Scottish Government completing it internally,...

FOI not held 45 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.25(1) s.12 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-07-30
Reference: FOI/202500464260
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Requests for expenditure without statutory authority: FOI release

1. All instances of Scottish Ministers seeking written authority to insist to the relevant Accountable Officer that expenditure be incurred without statutory authority since 8 May 2024 as per paragraph 12 of the expenditure without statutory authority rules set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual. Please provide ...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-30
Reference: FOI/202500466470
Directorate: Financial Management Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector