Scottish Government FOI Index

21,352releases indexed

38,320attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

7,898partially withheld

2017-09-26oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 7,898 unclear 7,051 not held 2,996 released 1,494 already published 663 cost limit 597 clarification 343 withheld 236 transferred 74

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4826 s.20 4178 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3386 s.30 2816 s.17(1) 2697 s.25(1) 2345 s.10(4) 1939 s.11(2) 1538 s.29(1) 1147 s.2 1138 s.3 894

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 1,237 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 945 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 896 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 837 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 692 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 660 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 641 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 622 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

235 matching releases

Valuation of the main Lochaber Smelter security asset: FOI Review

Original request 202300385648 “1. The figure for the financial difference in the valuation of the main Lochaber smelter security asset held by the Scottish Government between 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years (i.e. -£30m) 2.Any internal correspondence amongst those within the Strategic Commercial Assets Division, i...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2024-09-11
Reference: FOI/202300391456 Review of 202300385648
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Spring Budget communications campaign: FOI Review

Original request (202400403341) You recently engaged in a communications campaign, e.g. https://x.com/scotgov/status/1766116922909692407 The text reads: “The UK Spring Budget has failed to deliver the funding Scotland needs for public services. National Insurance cuts in the Spring Budget and Autumn Statement have ...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38 s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-11
Reference: FOI/202400413228 Review of 202400403341
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Scottish Budget

Valuation of the main Lochaber smelter security asset: FOI release

“1. The figure for the financial difference in the valuation of the main Lochaber smelter security asset held by the Scottish Government between 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years (i.e. -£30m). 2. Any internal correspondence amongst those within the Strategic Commercial Assets Division, including any reports or submi...

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

Published: 2024-09-10
Reference: FOI/202300385648
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the Scottish Currency Group: FOI release

Please provide copies of all email correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers) and Tim Rideout, Robbie Mochrie, Ian Stewart, or Cathryn Jones (who are all representatives of the Scottish Currency Group), 1st January 2023 - date.

FOI cost limit 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-10
Reference: FOI/202300387857
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

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

Communications with Operation Branchform Mentions: FOI Review

Original request - 202300367384 All emails sent or received by Scottish Ministers and/or Special Advisers containing the term “Branchform” or “Branch form”. Please provide the full contents of emails containing either of these terms dating back to 1 September 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.35(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-09
Reference: FOI/202300374787 review of 202300367384
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Domestic Abuse Leavers Fund- Scottish Women’s Aid: FOI Review

Original request (202300372279) a list of all meetings held with Scottish Women’s Aid on the topic of a leavers fund to support victims of domestic abuse to leave abusive relationships. all correspondence related to these meetings including the minutes of the meeting, any briefing notes provided to ministers related t...

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

Published: 2024-09-09
Reference: FOI 202300377738 Review of 202300372279
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Spring Budget communications campaign: FOI release

You recently engaged in a communications campaign, e.g. https://x.com/scotgov/status/1766116922909692407 The text reads: “The UK Spring Budget has failed to deliver the funding Scotland needs for public services. National Insurance cuts in the Spring Budget and Autumn Statement have cost £20 billion. This means Scotl...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.17 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-05
Reference: FOI/202400403341
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Budget speech analysis: FOI release

On 27th February 2024, the Deputy First Minster delivered a speech in the Scottish Parliament which included the following excerpt: “And our capital spending power is due to contract by almost 10 per cent in real terms over five years. And that's after factoring in our borrowing powers. All told that's a cut from West...

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

Published: 2024-09-05
Reference: FOI/202400403342
Directorate: Public Spending Directorate
Topic: Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

Resignation of Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care: FOI release

All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internal correspondence, minutes, notes and briefings held, about the resignation of Michael Matheson between January 15 2024 and the date of this FOI?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-04
Reference: FOI/202400397967
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Programme for Government, Public sector

Impartiality of the Scottish Government with regards to political messaging: FOI release

All internal discussions on handling this (202400408775) request. This should include any email correspondence relating to it; any Teams messages relating to it; any documents produced which outlined the assessment made of the balance of public interest test; its inclusion in any summaries going to SCS, Special Adviser...

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

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400413226
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the closure of Glasgow Caledonian University Advanced Higher Hub: FOI release

Any communications held by the government regarding the closure of the Advanced Higher Hub. Such communications may include - but are not limited to - proposals for the closure, discussions about the closure, agreement on/authorisation of the closure, confirmation of the closure, opinions on the closure etc This reque...

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

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400395570
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Tartan Week/Scotland Week celebrations in the USA: FOI release

(1) Can you share any briefings prepared for Angus Robertson and Scottish Government officials? (2) Can you release the names and job titles of all ministers, civil servants, special advisers and others who attended events? (3) Can you detail the cost of the travel and accommodation for each individual? (4) Can you ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.32 s.28 s.38(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-02
Reference: FOI/202400409106
Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, International, 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

Correspondences around the Court of Session defeat for Gender Reforms: FOI release

Any correspondence between special advisers, senior civil servants within either the constitution or legal directorate, and ministers within the Scottish Government and SNP party officials around the court of session defeat for gender reforms. This should cover between September 1 2023 and December 31 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.35 s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400407156
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Minimum unit pricing uprate: FOI release

1. Could you supply all the evidence utilised by the Scottish Government to announce the minimum unit pricing uprate, including details and minutes of meetings held between officials and ministers to decide on the uprate as well as correspondence between officials, ministers and special advisers on the same topic? -Can...

FOI cost limit 70 score 55 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.12 s.30 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400398860
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

All correspondence between special advisers, civil servants involved in preparing the original response to the FOI 202300372279: FOI release

All correspondence between special advisers, civil servants, officials and anyone involved in preparing the original response to the FOI request ref: 202300372279.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300383140
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Gender Reform Recognition Bill: FOI release

1. Full costs of the court case about the Gender Reform Recognition Bill, including expenses claims, and a full breakdown of these costs. 2. How many civil servants worked on the court case and what were their roles? 3. Correspondence between the Scottish Government, including internal correspondence, and Scottish Tr...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.2 s.35 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.37(1) s.28(1) s.5 s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300385351
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Wealth tax in Scotland correspondence: FOI release

Information on Scottish Government and Ministerial engagements on the issue of wealth tax since 28 March 2023, with particular reference to any briefings, correspondence, meetings, or discussions on the Scottish Trade Union Congress’ (STUC) proposals on wealth tax and the IPPR paper on the case for fair tax reform in S...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.30 6 attachments

Published: 2024-08-14
Reference: FOI/202300378648
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Various questions relating to Independence: FOI release

1. Could you supply all analysis undertaken by the Scottish Government this year, along with any briefings or correspondence, about how much it would cost to set up a new defence force, as well as a new security agency in the event of independence? 2. Could you supply all analysis undertaken by the Scottish Government...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.12 s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-12
Reference: FOI/202400414173
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Internal correspondence on alleged SNP sex scandal, Gender reform and James Hamilton court of session defeat: FOI release

All internal correspondence from within the Scottish Government about the alleged SNP sex scandal detailed here: https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/two-snp-politicians-seedyextramarital- 31546577 - Can this include responses to any media inquiries as well? Any correspondence between special advisers, ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) s.12 s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-07-25
Reference: FOI/202300391381
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) funding: FOI release

You asked for all correspondence between the First Minister and his special advisers and Scottish Government communications staff about the issue of UNRWA funding in January 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-07-09
Reference: FOI/202400395825
Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector