Scottish Government FOI Index

19,099releases indexed

31,532attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

7,049partially withheld

2018-11-16oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 7,049 unclear 6,352 not held 2,688 released 1,289 already published 610 cost limit 529 clarification 306 withheld 208 transferred 68

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4381 s.20 3726 s.34(1) 3480 s.39(2) 2967 s.30 2536 s.17(1) 2457 s.25(1) 2090 s.10(4) 1747 s.11(2) 1413 s.29(1) 1021 s.2 1021 s.3 800

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 1,082 releases · 27.9 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 858 releases · 31.1 avg days Marine Directorate 802 releases · 29.6 avg days Learning Directorate 714 releases · 34.4 avg days Population Health Directorate 607 releases · 28.7 avg days Economic Development Directorate 577 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 573 releases · 36.1 avg days People Directorate 536 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

42 matching releases

Scottish Government correspondence regarding Lochan Associates: FOI release

Q1) Please share any communications between special advisers, officials or ministers with 'Lochan Associates' or Derek Mackay. Q2) Please share any internal communications which refer to Lochan Associates or Derek Mackay over the last three years. Please include emails or any other messaging services.

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17 s.12 4 attachments

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/ 202600510352
Directorate: Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) funding information: FOI Review

Original request 202500490022 The following information covering the period from April 2023 to the present [21 October 2025] 1. Funding of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) Copies of any ministerial submissions, briefings, correspondence or internal papers relating to: 1. Annual budget allocations to S...

FOI cost limit 45 score 87 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.4 s.12

Published: 2026-04-29
Reference: FOI/202500494403 Review of 202500490022
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence and activity involving Special Adviser emails: FOI release

1. Since the start of 2025, 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, 2025. 3. Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot a...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.2 s.12 s.27(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-30
Reference: FOI/202600501632
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Chief Social Work Adviser correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence in the last 3 months to date between the Chief Social Work Adviser and each of the following: (1) Professor Alexis Jay (2) Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (3) The Justice Secretary's private secretary and wider private office. (4) Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (5) The Edu...

FOI cost limit 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-02
Reference: FOI/202500498571
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Habitats Regulations inquires: EIR release

1. “Internal correspondence of any sort (including WhatsApp and text messages) between Special Advisers, Scottish Ministers and Scottish Government (and agency) officials on the political risks associated with the Habitats Regulations provisions of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, from 1st January 2025 to prese...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)

Published: 2026-02-16
Reference: EIR/202500497206
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Oil and gas industry documentation: EIR release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including minutes/notes from meetings, correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings and analysis, about job losses in the oil and gas industry, from the last month? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Gove...

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10 s.7 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-11
Reference: EIR/202500493600
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

First Minister's visit to Washington DC and meeting with the US President: FOI release

1) Any internal and external communication relating to the visit to Washington DC and meeting with the US President Donald Trump on September 9. This should cover the period from August 1 to date and include any briefings, minutes of the meeting itself, and agendas, handouts and attendee lists. 2) The cost, with a bre...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.12 s.27(1) s.39(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-14
Reference: FOI/202500484766
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Documentation regarding First Minister's trip to Washington DC: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, from John Swinney's trip to Washington DC on September 10. Could you also supply the full cost of the trip, including his expenses, and all expenses o...

FOI cost limit 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.12(1) s.12 s.27(1) s.39(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: FOI/202500485559
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

NHS waiting times & dementia pathways: FOI release

You requested the following information covering 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025: Copies of weekly/monthly dashboards and performance reports sent to ministers or DG Health covering patients waiting >52 weeks and delayed discharges Ministerial briefings, risk logs or vacancy reports relating to dementia assessment capac...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.12 s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-09
Reference: FOI/202500480953
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Plans and discussions regarding restructuring/merger of Enterprise Agencies: FOI Review

Original Request 202500472477 1. Restructuring or Reform of Enterprise Agencies All minutes, papers, correspondence, or briefings (including drafts) since 1 January 2020 relating to any proposals, discussions, or decisions regarding: The merger, restructuring, rationalisation, or closure of any of the following: High...

FOI cost limit 70 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.4 s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500476929
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Criteria for responding to FOI requests: FOI release

1) It is a requirement that SPADs and/or the FM's chief of staff clear FOI responses from civil servants in the FOI unit? 2) How many FOIs were received by the Scottish Government in 2024, and how many of these were cleared by SPADs and/or FM's chief of staff before release? 3) What is the purpose of the following em...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.3 s.12 s.25(1) s.5

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500447375
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

HMP Glasgow information: FOI release

1. The first draft of the letter the Cabinet Secretary for Justice & Home Affairs sent to the Criminal Justice Committee on 5 February 2025 regarding an update on the proposed HMP Glasgow and all subsequent edits, amendments and comments suggested by officials, special advisers and ministers before the final version wa...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 s.33 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-21
Reference: FOI/202500451844
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Denmark trip: FOI release

1. All briefings, correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government, including internally, all analysis undertaken and minutes/notes from meetings regarding making Scotland tobacco free by 2034, between February 1 2024 and the date of this FOI? 2. The costs of Angus Robertson's trip to Denmark in March, incl...

FOI cost limit 70 score 12 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.12 s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-18
Reference: FOI/202400409365
Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Former First Minister's speech at Glasgow University: FOI release

1. Details of how many Scottish Government staff worked on Humza Yousaf's speech at Glasgow University on January 8, 2024 (Scottish independence: industrial policy). 2. Details of anyone outwith the Scottish Government involved in the writing of the speech or the number of people from outwith the Scottish Government w...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) s.12 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-13
Reference: FOI/202400392532
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Former First Minister's speech at Glasgow University and the Arbroath Islamic Community Centre: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internally, briefings written, notes and minutes held by the government about Humza Yousaf's speech at Glasgow University on January 8, including how it was organised and feedback afterwards? Between October 2023 and date of this FOI. 2. How...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.12 s.17(1) s.30 s.38 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-13
Reference: FOI/202400393501
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Constitution and democracy, 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

Cost of travel and accommodation for the First Minister’s visit to Germany: FOI release

1. Total cost of travel and accommodation for the full duration of FM’s visit to Germany over the weekend of Friday 14 June. 2. Correspondence between private office and officials around the visit planning, agenda etc. 3. Correspondence between private office, officials and stakeholders which FM met including invites...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.4 s.39(1) s.12

Published: 2024-09-05
Reference: FOI/202400419226
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Costs relating to John Swinney's trip to Germany: FOI release

A breakdown of costs relating to John Siwnney's [sic] trip to Germany in June 2024. A full list of SG staff in attendance and associated costs. Any correspondence held by the Government in relation to the trip. Notes of the meeting that took place between Mr Swinney and the Bavarian Minister of State for Europe and ...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.39(1) s.12 s.32(1) s.38(1) s.34(1)

Published: 2024-09-05
Reference: FOI/202400419227
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, 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

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

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

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

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

Scottish Government spend on photography and stationery: FOI release

1. How much has the Scottish government spent on photography so far this year up to the date ofthis Foi? And a breakdown of what the money was spent on. Could you also supply the photography bill for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the breakdown of what the money was spent on? 2 . How much money has the Scottish Govern...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.5 s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2024-05-20
Reference: FOI/202300373362
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Public sector