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

86 matching releases

Establishment of the Centre for Teaching Excellence: FOI Review

Original request 202300381669 A range of information relating to the recent announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills of a Centre for Teaching Excellence, including: consideration of the policy, decisionmaking, engagement/consultation, costings and role: and for communications related to these (bo...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.29 s.38 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-10
Reference: FOI/202300389692 Review of 202300381669
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Operation Branchform and Operation Koper: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internal, briefings and minutes, regarding sex offenders needing to notify police if they change gender, as discussed here: https://news.stv.tv/politics/conservatives-call-for-sex-offender-gender-change-rule-to-be-fast-tracked offender-gender...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.36(1) s.27(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-05
Reference: FOI/202400400381
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Law and order, 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 Budget, Former First Minister's Cabinet reshuffle and trip to Qatar: FOI release

1. All correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Institute for Fiscal Studies about the budget, including internal correspondence, notes, briefings and minutes from any meetings, between December 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including...

FOI already published 80 score 44 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) s.2(1) s.39 s.41 s.47 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400399489
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Economy, Public sector

Freedom of Information (FoI) requests for consideration by Special Advisers: FOI release

1) Since the start of 2024, please provide a list of the FOI's which have been subject to consideration by the FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot email address and/or Special Adviser emails. 2) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot and the FOI Unit since January 1, 2024. 3) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400406282
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Non-crime hate incidents: FOI release

1) Any correspondence including memos, reports, agendas, notes, briefings, or meeting invites, between Police Scotland and senior Scottish Government officials, ministers, and special advisers on the topic of "non-crime hate incidents", since December 1, 2023, to date. 2) In the same time period, any correspondence in...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400407017
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Public sector

Youth Music Initiative, Education, Young People and Children Committee and Creative Scotland funding: FOI release

1. All briefings and correspondence, including internal correspondence and between Ministers and outside bodies, about Youth Music Initiative (YMI), between Jan 1 2023 and the date of this FOI (13 October 2023). 2. All correspondence between Patrick Harvie and his office/Special Advisers and Lee Craigie between Jan 1 ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.12 8 attachments

Published: 2024-08-13
Reference: FOI/202300380858
Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to council tax freezes: FOI release

On the 18th October 2023, the Finance Minister Shona Robison made the claim that the decision to freeze Council Tax rates was made less than 48 hours before Humza Yousaf’s announcement and that the decision was made without following the normal consultation and communication methods. I would like to make a Freedom of I...

FOI not held 70 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.12 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17 6 attachments

Published: 2024-03-12
Reference: FOI/202300381631
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Establishment of the Centre for Teaching Excellence: FOI release

Please accept our apologies for the delay in responding to your request. You asked for a range of information relating to the recent announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills of a Centre for Teaching Excellence, including: consideration of the policy, decisionmaking, engagement/consultation, costi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-06
Reference: FOI/202300381669
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to S6W-09312, S6W-09314, S6W-09315: EIR review

All correspondence relating to the following written questions: S6W-09312 S6W-09314 S6W-09315 I have concluded that a different decision should be substituted. As the information you requested is 'environmental information' for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are r...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 56 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.38 s.40 2 attachments

Published: 2024-01-19
Reference: EIR/202300340781 Review of 202200333311
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information pertaining to minutes from Advisory Council for Economic Transformation meeting: FOI release

The most recently published minutes for the Advisory Council for Economic Transformation (for a meeting held in October 2021) include the following action point: Aset of slides will be quickly developed which playback the Council's feedback and tests what this means for the vision, objectives and actions, thereafter, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-01-11
Reference: 202200303647
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Meetings about a second independence referendum: FOI release

Minutes of meetings held between Nicola Sturgeon and Angus Robertson on preparations for a second independence referendum, including on a prospectus. Minutes of all meetings held between Nicola Sturgeon and the team working (including civil servants) on preparations for a second independence referendum, including on a ...

FOI not held 45 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2023-12-19
Reference: 202200280399
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government probe into leaked budget: FOI release

1a.) Have/did the Scottish Government launch a probe into the leaked budget proposals which were reported by BBC Scotland on December 15 last year? 1b.) If not, why and if you did explain the process of the investigation? 1c.) What was the final outcome of the investigation? 1d.) Any correspondence (including emails...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.1C s.1D s.38(1) s.29(1) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202300344253
Directorate: Public Spending Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence with SG Interim Chief Statistician and members of the SG: FOI release

All email correspondence between the Scottish Government's Interim Chief Statistician, Ally McAlpine, and members of the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) from 1st April 2022 until 25th October 2022. You provided clarification on 26 October that the information you are req...

FOI clarification 80 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-05
Reference: 202200326705
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Legal advice on independence referendum: FOI release

The amount spent on legal advice regarding the Scottish Government’s prospectus for an independent Scotland between 07 September 2021 and the date of response to this inquiry? Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, brief...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-27
Reference: 202200287065
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence: FOI release

On 17th October, the Scottish Government published Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence. It included this statement: "Given the uncertainty over the outlook for the global, UK, and Scottish economies, and future fiscal and economic policy decisions by the UK and Scottish governments prior to ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-22
Reference: 202200325262
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding the Scottish Conservatives Removal of Office and Recall Bill: FOI release

Copies of any correspondence (briefing, letters, emails, handwritten notes, memos, minutes of calls, minutes of meetings, attachments and/ore otherwise) from and/or to civil servants and/or Special Advisers and/or Scottish Government MSPs regarding the Scottish Conservatives Removal of Office and Recall Bill.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-16
Reference: 202300361918
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence and Briefing relating to Transgender Prisoners: FOI release

All government correspondence (including emails, whatsapps, text) between officials, civil servants, ministers, special advisers, outside sources that mention Isla Bryson or Adam Graham over the last three months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 63 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.38(1) s.29(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-05-09
Reference: FOI/202300342026
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence regarding 2022 school examinations: FOI Review

Original request - 202100231963 "The Scottish Government has today confirmed that exams will take place in 2022 (if safe to do so) - https://www.gov.scot/news/national-qualifications-2022/. Please release any internal communication between the Scottish Government members and staff (first minister, education secretary, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 178 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.38 s.36 2 attachments

Published: 2023-04-19
Reference: FOI/202200312728 Review of 202100231963
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Correspondence on Sustainable Growth Commission report informing contents of Building a New Scotland publication: FOI release

Please provide all Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) correspondence and documents discussing how the SNP’s Sustainable Growth Commission report (published in 2018) would inform the contents of Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence – published by the...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.29(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-02-07
Reference: FOI/202200333877
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Visit of Michelle O'Neill to Bute House and meeting with First Minister: FOI release

On May 20 this year, Michelle O'Neill MLA visited the First Minister at Bute House. https://www.gov.scot/news/first-minister-meets-michelle-oneill-mla/ Please supply all items of information generated by the First Minister, her officials and special advisers in relation to the arranging of this meeting, its conduct and...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-10-19
Reference: FOI/202200312323
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communication regarding the reform of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Education Scotland: FOI release

"All communications between ministers and/or special advisers and/or PR/comms staff” and that the request “related to internal communications regarding the recently published report by Professor Ken Muir into the reform of the SQA and Education Scotland”. You noted that the request “would include attachments to relevan...

FOI clarification 55 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1)

Published: 2022-08-10
Reference: FOI/202200300655
Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and Professor Mark Blyth between January 2020 and June 2022: FOI release

Copies of all email correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil servants, and Special Advisers) and Professor Mark Blyth, Director of the William R. Rhodes Centre for International Economics and Finance at Brown University. Please restrict the search to dates between 1st January 2020 and ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.29(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2022-08-10
Reference: FOI/202200303677
Directorate: Chief Economist Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Information regarding the implementation of Covid-19 passports: FOI Review

a) ‘Any scientific, medical, immunological or epidemiological evidence provided to Scottish Ministers that underpins or supports their decision to require vaccine passports for events consisting of more than 10,000 people at open air events such as football matches;’ b) ‘Advice/recommendations on how such a scheme woul...

FOI already published 80 score 76 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.12 s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-27
Reference: FOI/202100255294 Review of 202100240234
Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Internal communications regarding 2022 school examinations: FOI release

The Scottish Government has today confirmed that exams will take place in 2022 (if safe to do so) - https://www.gov.scot/news/national-qualifications-2022/. Please release any internal communication between the Scottish government members and staff (first minister, education secretary, special advisers, learning direct...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 234 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-27
Reference: FOI/202100231959
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector