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

1,979 matching releases

Your Right to Decide correspondence and meeting information: FOI release

1) All correspondence between the First Minister (and his office) and officials working in the Scottish Government’s Constitution Directorate since 6 May 2025. This should include emails, meetings of any kind, letters or phone calls. 2) How many meetings Scottish Ministers attended to discuss the Your Right to Decide ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2026-01-14
Reference: FOI/202500486711
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister's Better Society Academy speech 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 John Swinney's speech to the Better Society Academy on May 2 2025, between April 10 2025 and June 1 2025.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments

Published: 2026-01-14
Reference: FOI/202500486929
Directorate: Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

NHS Highland correspondence regarding maternity services in Caithness: FOI release

The correspondence with NHS Highland referred to in the parliamentary question S6W-40280: Written question and answer: S6W-40280 | Scottish Parliament Website All correspondence with NHS Highland since May 2021 with reference to maternity services in Caithness.

FOI cost limit 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.38 s.12 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-14
Reference: FOI/202500486261
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Correspondence mentioning Minister of State for Prisons: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis which are with/to/from or mention James Timpson, from the last three months?

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

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500485018
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Cost to NHS Scotland of prescribing paracetamol tablets: FOI release

1. The annual cost to NHS Scotland of prescribing paracetamol tablets 500mg from 2015 to 2024 inclusive, including both drug costs and any dispensing or professional fees. 2. If possible, the average cost per pack to NHS Scotland during this period compared with the approximate retail cost. 3. Any internal reports, m...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.2 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.22 4 attachments

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500485630
Directorate: Chief Medical Officer Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Scottish Government employees receiving compensation for losing their position: FOI release

Information over the names of MSPs, ministers or other officials including civil servants and staff who have received any payment related to losing any official position, by way of a compensation or pay off for each year since and including 2017 and can it be made clear whether the payments were contractual or otherwis...

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

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500483313
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence to Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity regarding Seagull Summit: EIR release

‘Please can I request the following information: Any correspondence sent to Jim Fairlie, at any point during 2025, relating to a summit or consultation relating to seagulls in Eyemouth. Any correspondence sent from Jim Fairlie, at any point during 2025, relating to a summit or consultation relating to seagulls in Eyem...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.11 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500485954
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Visitor levy amendment into the legislative schedule: FOI release

I would like to see any correspondence from or to ministers or ministers’ offices about the feasibility and will of getting the visitor levy change fitted into the legislative schedule.

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

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500486387
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish offshore marine protected areas information: EIR release

Please kindly provide details of meetings between Scottish Government officials and Ministers, specifically the dates, attendees and minutes of the meetings where proposals for fisheries management measures in offshore marine protected areas were discussed. Please kindly provide copies of written correspondence (email ...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.6(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: EIR/202500486216
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Barlinnie replacement prison and recorded crime in Scotland: FOI release

1. The current cost projection of the Barlinnie replacement prison, with a full breakdown of costs. 2. All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about the construction of the Barlinnie replace...

FOI withheld 80 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.2 s.33(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500483086
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Provision of non-therapeutic male circumcision reports and correspondence: FOI release

All internal reports or correspondence (including emails and other messages) relating to the provision of non-therapeutic male circumcision on the NHS, since January 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1)R s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500486073
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence between the Propriety and Ethics Directorate, the Permanent Secretary and the First Minister's office regarding the summit held by Scottish Government: FOI release

All communications between the Propriety and Ethics Directorate, the Permanent Secretary and the First Minister's office in relation to: The summit held by the Scottish Government on 23 April 2025 The speech given by the First Minister on 4 September 2025

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

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500483247
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Short life working group information: FOI Review

Original request 202500472952 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 t...

FOI already published 80 score 52 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.27(1) s.27 s.25(1) s.30 s.38 s.34(1) s.38(1) s.1 s.3 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: FOI/202500477689 Review of 202500472952
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) board member appointment information: FOI release

You asked for information on the “changing legal requirements” which had impacted the appointment of three new members to the board of Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS), specifically: 1. A detailed explanation of the specific legal changes referenced in relation to CHS appointments. 2. A list of other public bodies,...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.3 s.17(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: FOI/202500484747
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector, Work and skills

New Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS) information: EIR release

Field animal health and welfare functions currently delivered by the Animal and Plant Health Agency in Scotland are to be replaced by a new Scottish Veterinary Service (SVS). Speaking at the NFUS AGM, the Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon gave the green light to the new service, which will be developed within the ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: EIR/202500485047
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Climate Change Plan meeting materials: EIR release

All minutes/notes from meetings and briefings written by civil servants and seen by Gillian Martin and/or her office, about the climate change plan, from the last month.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11 s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: EIR/202500485065
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Information regarding evacuations from Gaza for medical treatment: FOI release

All correspondence, memos, briefings and/or reports sent and received by the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray, between September 12, 2025 and September 17, 2025 that address, or relate to, the evacuation of ill children and their families from Gaza to Scotland for medical treatment.

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

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: FOI/202500484948
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, International, Public sector

Disclosure Scotland Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme processing times: FOI release

I would like the following information for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 August 2025: 1. The average length of time taken to process new PVG scheme applications (for people applying to join the scheme for the first time). 2. The average length of time taken to process PVG scheme updates / existing member updates (for...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.2 s.3 s.27(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: FOI/202500485201
Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Transport Scotland materials regarding the removal of Scotrail peak fares: FOI release

With regards to the response to parliamentary written question reference S6W-40314, I am requesting: 1. Copies of meeting notes, emails and/or reports from ministers/officials/consultants or thirdparties which include the options explored to find a solution which addresses the exclusion of intra-Scottish train travel ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.4 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: FOI/202500485199
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Blue Badge scheme “risk in traffic” eligibility criterion information: FOI release

You asked for further information in relation to the Blue Badge scheme in Scotland, specifically the “risk in traffic” eligibility criterion introduced via the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2016 (SSI 2016/72)

FOI not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.17(1) s.36 s.36(1) s.4(3B) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: FOI/202500482421
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 Delivery plan update 2025: EIR review

Original request – 202500479518 You asked for “All memos, emails, reports (internal or external) and other such information which formed a part of the evidence-base and rationale for the decision by Marine Directorate published on page 6 of Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 Delivery plan update 2025 v...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.11(2) s.10(4) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-07
Reference: EIR/202500484110 Review of 202500479518
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Strategic Network for the Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 information and Long Covid Support Fund queries: FOI release

1. The (a) meeting minutes, (b) full subgroup membership, and (c) any corresponding documents for the Scottish Government’s Strategic Network for the Long-Term Effects of COVID-19. 2. Whether any of the £4.5m Long Covid Support Fund, announced in the 2024-25 budget, has been spent. 3. Whether any of the £4.5m Long Co...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.34(1) 12 attachments

Published: 2026-01-07
Reference: FOI/202500484092
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

First Minister visit to Heineken's Edinburgh office: FOI release

You asked for "all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about John Swinney opening Heineken's new Edinburgh offices on May 5, between April 1 2025 and May 31 2025."

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-06
Reference: FOI/202500483651
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Documentation that mentions the founder of Liberty Steel: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, that mentions or is to/from Sanjeev Gupta and/or Liberty Steel, from the last month.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.36(1) 12 attachments

Published: 2026-01-06
Reference: FOI/202500483473
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Documentation that mentions a Former First Minster: FOI release

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

Published: 2026-01-06
Reference: FOI/202500483477
Directorate: Social Care and National Care Service Development
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector