Scottish Government FOI Index

22,640releases indexed

40,478attachments found

29.5avg calendar days

8,386partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-09-02newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,386 unclear 7,405 not held 3,239 released 1,581 already published 700 cost limit 627 clarification 372 withheld 249 transferred 81

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5149 s.20 4430 s.34(1) 3727 s.39(2) 3593 s.30 2994 s.17(1) 2922 s.25(1) 2520 s.10(4) 2060 s.11(2) 1619 s.29(1) 1223 s.2 1222 s.3 958

Timeline

2026-09 1 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,312 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 978 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 961 releases · 30.9 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 737 releases · 39.7 avg days Constitution Directorate 702 releases · 35.9 avg days Population Health Directorate 665 releases · 28.5 avg days People Directorate 657 releases · 25.6 avg days

Clear

2,994 matching releases

Communications regarding reduction of teacher class contact time: FOI release

Any communication between ministers / Spads / officials regarding the reduction of teachers' class contact time. This includes (but is not necessarily limited to) documents/attachments containing any briefings, analysis, modelling etc.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 47 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-04-11
Reference: FOI/202200275182
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

State pension and benefit payment responsibilities: FOI release

1. The source content and date of the secret cabinet briefing paper from John Swinney Finance Secretary (at the time) that was subsequently leaked. 2. Since 1 January 2012, any briefing papers, communications etc that clarified or otherwise that Scotland, if independent, would be responsible for the payment of pensions...

FOI not held 70 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.3 s.29(1) s.30 s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2022-04-07
Reference: FOI/202200281407
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding class contact hours for Scottish teachers: FOI release

All correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, WhatsApp, Signal or SMS messages, documents or otherwise) involving the Scottish Government (Ministers, Special Advisers and Civil Servants) regarding proposals to reduce the number of class contact hours for Scottish teachers from the maximu...

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

Published: 2022-04-07
Reference: FOI/202200286686
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector, Work and skills

Communications relating to hydro firms since January 2022: FOI release

Any communications, emails, messages or notes relating to or mentioning the below topics since January 2022: The article on hydro firms which features in The Sunday Times on 6 February 2022 Ardtornish Hydro You requested all relevant information including but not exclusively held in: email, internal messaging, teams ...

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

Published: 2022-04-07
Reference: FOI/202200284309
Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Energy, Environment and climate change, +1 more … Public sector

Appointment of Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (FMPG) Chief Executive: FOI release

1. Was this recruitment conducted by an external recruiter, and if so, what were the costs involved in this? 2. How many candidates were considered for this position? 3. Please provide any ministerial briefings or emails to ministers relating to the departure of Mr Hair and the appointment of Mr Tydeman. 4. Please can ...

FOI not held 70 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts spending s.17(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2022-04-05
Reference: FOI/202100265480
Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Work undertaken by IOD PARC in relation to COP26: FOI release

1) In regards to the work undertaken by IOD PARC in relation to COP26, the following: 1a) The scoping study outlining the strategy and approach by which the Scottish Government, through our role as co-chair of the Under 2 Coalition during COP26 delivered by IOD PARC. 1b) The delivered narrative and set of key messages ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence contracts s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-30
Reference: FOI/202200276511
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Engagements relating to non-domestic rates on small-scale hydro schemes: FOI release

all information held by the Scottish Government regarding a meeting held between Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth, as well as briefing in advance of his meeting, on 2nd September 2021 with the British Hydropower Association amongst others – a meeting relating to non-domestic ra...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.38 s.3 s.30 s.5 4 attachments

Published: 2022-03-25
Reference: FOI/202200281537
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the nationalisation of ScotRail between 2016 to 2022: FOI release

1. All meetings held by the Scottish Government on the nationalization of ScotRail between 2016 and 2022. 2. All correspondence conducted by the Scottish Government regarding the nationalization of ScotRail between 2016 and 2022. 3. All advice given to the Scottish Government regarding the nationalization of ScotRail b...

FOI clarification 80 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.27 s.30 s.33(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-24
Reference: FOI/202200270246
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Independence referendum Section 30 order: FOI release

Since the independence referendum in 2014, the dates that the Scottish Government has formally requested a Section 30 order to allow them the power to hold an independence referendum on the subject of Scotland becoming an independent country.

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30

Published: 2022-03-23
Reference: FOI/202200280916
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Parliament legal correspondence regarding UNCRC Bill: FOI release

Copies of any correspondence (letters, emails, texts or otherwise between Scottish Government Officials and Scottish Government Ministers on the subject of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill where "competency" or the Scottish Parliament's legal competence is discuss...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 55 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-22
Reference: FOI/202100257606
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Appointments to BBC Board Scotland Nation Member: FOI release

“Copies of all correspondence, digital and physical, record and notes of meetings regarding appointment to the position of the Scotland Nation Member on the Board of the BBC from August 1 2021 until today - involving at least, but not limited to, the Scottish Government, UK Government, BBC and the Commissioner for Publ...

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

Published: 2022-03-17
Reference: FOI/202100267466
Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Correspondence regarding United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Bill: FOI release

"Copies of any correspondence (emails, texts, letters or otherwise) between Scottish Government officials and Ministers, where the UK Supreme Court decision on the case 'REFERENCE by the Attorney General and the Advocate General for Scotland – United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotla...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 56 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-17
Reference: FOI/202100257512
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Transport Scotland fleet vehicle details: FOI release

The registration, make and model of Transport Scotland fleet vehicles.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 13 working days correspondence s.30

Published: 2022-03-16
Reference: FOI/202200281325
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Clinical advice provided to First Minister regarding self isolation rules: FOI release

The clinical advice received by the First Minister regarding self-isolation rules, in particular regarding the length of time that the self-isolation period should be and isolation for household contacts of a positive PCR case. Please provide this information for the following separate periods: The week commencing 6 De...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-15
Reference: FOI/202200269448
Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Clinical advice given to First Minister regarding self isolation: FOI release

The clinical advice given to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon regarding self-isolation and Covid 19 in the period 1 December 2021 and 5 January 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-15
Reference: FOI/202200269512
Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence regarding potential participation in UK Government scheme ‘Project Adder’: FOI release

1. Any internal Scottish Government correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) regarding the Scottish Government’s potential participation in the UK Government scheme ‘Project Adder’. Please provide corre...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 53 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.28 s.29(1)A s.30 s.38(1)B 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-14
Reference: FOI/202100253357
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Lochaber Smelter Guarantee Ministerial Submission: FOI Review

You expressed you were not satisfied with our reply to your original Freedom of Information (FoI) request which was allocated reference number 202100256434: “1. Please supply a copy of the submission(s), on the subject of the Lochaber Smelter Guarantee(s), provided to ministers for approval. 2. Please also provide a co...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.33(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-10
Reference: FOI/202200270012 Review of 202100256434
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding preparation of prospectus for an independent Scotland: FOI Review

Your original request asked for: 1) The number of full time equivalent staff in the Scottish Government who are currently, or are planned to begin work on the "prospectus for an independent Scotland", as mentioned in the Programme for Government on September 7. 2) Any internal correspondence sent from or to the First M...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.20(5) s.20(6) s.17 s.30 s.38 s.34(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-10
Reference: FOI/202200270532 Review of 202100239831
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Details of preparations for Papal visit during COP26: FOI release

A copy of all preparations by the Scottish Government to have: welcomed the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Scotland, accommodated any attempt by the Holy Father to have communicated Divine Mercy to the government within the Scottish Parliament, and thanked the Pope upon departing Scotland.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.30 s.32(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-08
Reference: FOI/202200269217
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Recruitment of Chief Executive Officer of Scottish Rail Holdings: FOI release

Regarding the recruitment of Mr Chris Gibb as Chief Executive Officer of Scottish Rail Holdings: 1. Was this recruitment conducted by an external recruiter, and if so, what were the costs involved in this? 2. How many candidates were considered for this position? 3. Please provide any ministerial briefings or emails to...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts spending s.30 s.33(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-08
Reference: FOI/202100266550
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Communications regarding teachers' class contact time: FOI release

Any communication between the Scottish Government (ministers, spads, learning directorate) and COSLA regarding the reduction of teachers' class contact time. This should include records of meetings, and attachments to emails.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-03
Reference: FOI/202200275188
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Lord Advocate Scottish Cabinet meetings attendance dates: FOI release

1. "Please list all the dates when the current Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain QC, attended Scottish Government Cabinet. Please provide this information from 6 May 2021 to the present date." 2. "When the Lord Advocate has attended Cabinet, the Cabinet’s agenda for that meeting as well as the reason the Lord Advocate was in...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30

Published: 2022-03-03
Reference: FOI/202200276393
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Discussion held regarding First Home Fund: FOI release

Copies of all communications involving Scottish Government Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries, sent between April 1 and October 22 of 2021, in which there is discussion of the First Home Fund.

FOI already published 80 score 67 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.29(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-02
Reference: FOI/202100250258
Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Briefing notes prepared for Criminal Justice Committee September 2021: FOI review

Your request, reference 202100236359 Full content of all briefing notes, papers etc providing to the Cabinet secretary for Justice and Veterans and the minister for Community Safety in respect of their appearance before the Criminal Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament on 1 September 2021. Your review request, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 77 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.16(2) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-01
Reference: FOI/202100245911 review of 202100236359
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Lord Advocate meetings: FOI release

“1) 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 the following meetings: 1a) The Lord Advocate's meetings wit...

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

Published: 2022-03-01
Reference: FOI/202200273192
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Public sector