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

2,967 matching releases

Correspondence sent from the First Minister to City of Edinburgh Council Leader regarding Divestment and Sanctions Against the State of Israel: FOI release

“On the 29th September, City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meacher wrote to First Minister John Swinney. Please see a copy of this letter attached. 1. Can you confirm if a reply has been sent, and if so, can you forward a copy, please? 2. Can you confirm if similar letters or enquiries have been received from other...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings contracts s.17 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500496657
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Briefing material prepared for the First Minister's meeting with the US Ambassador: FOI release

“Could you supply all briefing material prepared for John Swinney's meeting with the US Ambassador on November 1, as well as any minutes/notes from meetings and any readouts?”.

FOI not held 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.17 s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.32(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500496710
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Ministerial obligations, conflict-of-interest advice and decision-making in relation to the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry: FOI release

1 — Ministerial Code Compliance and Conflict-of-Interest Assessment All documents, communications, emails, internal notes, records of meetings, briefings, drafts, or advice: concerning any potential, declared, undeclared, perceived or actual conflict of interest arising from Mr Anwar’s relationship with Mr Yousaf, an...

FOI not held 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.5 s.38(1) s.17 s.40(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500496961
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence on advice from Professor Alexis Jay relating to Parliamentary debate on group-based child sexual exploitation: FOI release

"Any written record held by the Scottish Government of advice received from Professor Alexis Jay which informed, contributed to, or was relied upon for statements made by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs during the Parliamentary debate on 3 December 2025 on group-based child sexual exploitation. For ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500496850
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

National review of responses to group-based child sexual exploitation materials: FOI release

All Ministerial briefing packs, communications briefing materials, and presentation materials prepared for the announcement made by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills on Wednesday 4 December 2025 regarding the national review of responses to group-based child sexual exploitation. This should include: mini...

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

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500497242
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Details of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs trip to Brussels: FOI release

1. The full ministerial diary entry / itinerary for Angela Constance MSP (Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs) for 19–21 November 2025 inclusive 2. All briefing packs, background notes, speaking notes, lines-to-take, or any other preparatory material provided to the Cabinet Secretary or her private office i...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.6 s.17(1) s.27(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495024
Directorate: EU Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Correspondence sent to former First Minister regarding child sexual exploitation and abuse: FOI release

You asked for any emails, letters, or other written correspondence sent by members of the public (constituents or non-constituents) to the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, or to her private office (nicolasturgeon.msp@parliament.scot or firstminister@gov.scot) between 1 January 2018 and 20th December 25th 2025 th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FO/202600499932
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

NHS Highland neurodevelopmental and mental health information: FOI release

Please provide the following recorded information for the period 01 January 2024 – present: 1. All Ministerial briefings, submissions, updates, or reports provided to: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care The Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health The Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.3 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495098
Directorate: Mental Health Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Health and social care, Public sector

Minutes from Serious Organised Crime Taskforce meetings: FOI release

You asked for copies of all minutes of meetings of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, excluding the minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2025.

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.35(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202600501737
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

2026 FIFA World Cup bank holiday proposal briefing documents: FOI release

All briefing documents prepared by officials and/or sent to Ministers regarding proposals to designate an additional bank holiday to celebrate Scotland's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Please include information such as: - the possible cost of creating an additional bank holiday, to the private and public s...

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

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202600500185
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Football World Cup bank holiday proposal information: FOI release

The content of all emails, briefings and reports regarding the First Minister's proposal for a new bank holiday to commemorate Scotland's opening match in this year's football World Cup. Please provide any assessment of the economic impact of having another bank holiday and how many employers would give their staff th...

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

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202600500265
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Reduction of public sector workforce risks registers and progress: FOI release

“All risk registers and progress updates held by the Scottish Government, in relation to Shona Robison’s promise to reduce the public sector workforce by an average of 0.5% every year, from the last month.”

FOI already published 80 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496119
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Non- Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020: FOI release

You asked for copies of all recorded communications between Scottish Government Ministers and officials during August 2025 that relate to concerns about the legislative competence of the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020. This includes emails, submissions, briefings, notes of meetings, and any other recorded corre...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496157
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Non-Domestic Rates (Liability for Unoccupied Properties) (Scotland) Bill correspondence: FOI release

1. The correspondence that first informed the Scottish Government about the drafting error with the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020 which pointed out that the amendments made by the 2020 Act to devolve Empty Property Relief had not had the intended legal effect. 2. All correspondence between relevant Scottish G...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.33(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495336
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Deputy Director of Justice emails regarding Emergency Early Release (EER) scheme: FOI release

You initially requested: “Please provide copies of all emails sent by the Deputy Director responsible for the Emergency Early Release scheme during the week of Sept 1 -7 where the subject line or body contains any of the following terms: “early release” “EER” “release scheme””

FOI clarification 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495089
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Meetings held with Dundee University in 2025: FOI release

How many meetings has a Scottish Government Minister held with Dundee University in 2025, and could you supply all minutes/notes from these meetings? Could you supply all meeting requests made by Dundee Uni as well in 2025, and whether these were accepted or rejected? Your request refers to meetings with ‘Dundee Unive...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.33(1) s.33 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495821
Directorate: Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government correspondence regarding the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government and the office of the First Minister regarding the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020. Information should include but ...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495526
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Business Gateway funding communications: FOI release

Copies of any recorded communications to or from Ministers concerning Business Gateway funding from the past six months. This includes emails, letters, briefings, and any other recorded correspondence held on Scottish Government systems.

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

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496349
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Money and tax, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Brussels trip documentation: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation seen by John Swinney or his office about Angela Constance's trip to Brussels on November 19? When was John Swinney made aware of Ms Constance heading to Brussels on that date? Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and receive...

FOI cost limit 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495530
Directorate: EU Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Scottish Forestry gender and specific demographic groups queries: FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information Act (Scotland) Act 2002, I would like to request the following information held by you: 1. What your organisation understands the word ‘woman’[1] to denote. 2. What your organisation understands the terms: lesbian, bisexual and gay to denote? 3. Actions that you have carried out for ...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.7 s.17(1) s.25(1) s.25 s.38(1) s.33(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202600501731
Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Institute for Fiscal Studies and Barnett Formula documentation: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, analysis and briefings, which mentions or is to/from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, from the last month? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.28(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.30B s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495977
Directorate: Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Special Adviser to the First Minister communications: FOI release

All recorded communications sent to or from Senior Special Adviser David Hutchison during the period 24 November 2025 to 30 November 2025 inclusive. This includes emails, letters, briefing material, and messages held on Scottish Government systems.

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.28(1) s.28 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496223
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture meeting with Swiss Ambassador: FOI release

You asked for a record of the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture's meeting with Dominique Paravicini in October 2025.

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

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496279
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, International, Public sector

Copies of concern regarding Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020: FOI release

1. The first recorded concern identified within the Scottish Government regarding the legislative competence of the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020. 2. The initial recorded communications between officials relating to this concern, including any recorded consideration of whether ministers should be notified.'

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

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496147
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Correspondence sent to Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Minister for Victims and Community Safety regarding prisons: FOI release

Internal briefings, submissions, or update notes sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, or DG Justice between Sept 1 to Oct 1, 2025, which warn about: unsafe or deteriorating prison conditions prisons assessed as “end-of-life” major maintenance failures the impact of over...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500495798
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector