Scottish Government FOI Index

18,099releases indexed

29,946attachments found

29.8avg calendar days

6,650partially withheld

2019-05-15oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 6,650 unclear 6,023 not held 2,568 released 1,213 already published 588 cost limit 504 clarification 288 withheld 199 transferred 66

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4133 s.20 3541 s.34(1) 3273 s.39(2) 2802 s.30 2391 s.17(1) 2346 s.25(1) 1993 s.10(4) 1663 s.11(2) 1363 s.2 986 s.29(1) 969 s.3 758

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 1,053 releases · 28.0 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 833 releases · 31.1 avg days Marine Directorate 741 releases · 29.0 avg days Learning Directorate 657 releases · 34.7 avg days Population Health Directorate 577 releases · 28.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 553 releases · 36.5 avg days Economic Development Directorate 545 releases · 40.3 avg days People Directorate 513 releases · 25.9 avg days

Clear

128 matching releases

Documentation regarding stakeholder engagement process and information session pertaining to non-surgical cosmetics procedure bill: FOI release

1. Design and Purpose of the Information Session All internal documents, briefing notes, emails or meeting records which define or describe the purpose of the session, including whether it was intended to constitute stakeholder engagement. Any documents distinguishing between “information provision” and “stakeholder e...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.4 s.5 s.1 s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600512523
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Queries regarding Queen Elizabeth University Hospital cladding and associated costs: EIR release

How much of the flammable cladding has been removed from the hospital [QEUH], how much has it cost and how much of the 97.1 million given to Scotland for the removal of flammable cladding remains? Has the removal started on any other buildings or any completed that have been identified as having this cladding?

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.4 s.10(4)

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: EIR/202600505647
Directorate: Cladding Remediation Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) concerning aesthetics regulation information: FOI release

1. All correspondence, emails, meeting notes, internal briefings and draft documents between the Scottish Government and the JCCP from 1 January 2017 to date. 2. Any documents in which the JCCP is referenced in relation to non-surgical cosmetic procedures, practitioner regulation, licensing, medical reviewers, trainin...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.4 s.5 s.6 s.12 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-12
Reference: FOI/202600512258
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Asylum seeker and refugee homelessness and hardship prevention policy: FOI release

1. The current number, status, and locations of asylum seekers and refugees presently in Scotland; 2. The Scottish Government’s policy for those recently displaced from Home Office-provided accommodation; 3. The measures being taken to prevent hardship, homelessness, and destitution among this population.

FOI not held 45 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.22 s.12 s.25

Published: 2026-05-06
Reference: FOI/202500497147
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Witchcraft Act 1563 apology documentation: FOI release

1. Any internal briefing notes or policy documents that outline the legal or moral rationale for providing a state apology for a 16th-century historic injustice. 2. Any documents discussing the state’s responsibility to acknowledge "evidence gaps" or the destruction of historical records caused by such state-sponsored...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-28
Reference: FOI/202600509137
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Information regarding ministerial responsibility for determining energy consents: EIR release

Please provide the following information in relation to the transfer of responsibility for Electricity Act 1989 consents to the Minister for Public Finance on 18 December 2025: Decision-making The date the decision to transfer responsibility was taken. The person(s) or office(s) that made the decision. Any ministeria...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-14
Reference: EIR/202600503900
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Education Scotland - Compliance with Supreme Court ruling on definition of sex: FOI Review

Original request 202500478413 Whether any Equality Impact Assessments (EQIAs), training plans, internal meeting notes, or correspondence discussing the legal implications of the ruling are held; and Whether Education Scotland received or commissioned any legal advice following the ruling (withholding legal advice unde...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence meetings s.36(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-13
Reference: FOI/202500481951 Review of 202500478413
Directorate
Topic: Education, Equality and rights, Public sector

Scottish Government spend on events at sport stadiums: FOI release

"A list of events funded or part-funded by the Scottish Government at Celtic Park, Ibrox Stadium, Hampden Park, and Murrayfield Stadium in the last 10 full financial years (2015/16-2024/25) and 2025/26 (up to December 31). This should be broken down by year with how much government money was spent on each individual ev...

FOI not held 45 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.07

Published: 2026-03-23
Reference: FOI/202600501504
Directorate: Cladding Remediation Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Building, planning and design, Public sector

Graduate entry and LLB tuition fee application information: FOI release

I request the following information for the last 5 Academic Years (2020-21 to 2024-25): 1. For each academic year, the application data - ie number of applications - for tuition fee funding for LLB (Graduate Entry/Accelerated) courses in Scotland that were: Received Approved Rejected 2. For rejected applications in ...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.17(1) s.73 s.3 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-10
Reference: FOI/202600500997
Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Spend in relation to witness support: FOI release

How much has the Scottish Government spent on training and support for witnesses for public inquiries in each of the last five years, with a breakdown by each year, and what the money was spent on?

FOI not held 45 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17

Published: 2026-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500496430
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, 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

Lochaber Smelter "monitoring reports" extracts: FOI release

I am requesting specific extracts from the "monitoring reports" produced by external advisors (Deloitte, Teneo, or similar) regarding the Scottish Government's financial guarantee to the GFG Alliance (Alvance British Aluminium) for the Lochaber Smelter. Please provide: 1. The "Risk Dashboard" Only: The single page or...

FOI not held 45 score 15 working days correspondence ministers spending s.33(1) s.2 s.17(1) s.36(1)

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496386
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, 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

Affidavit in relation to the Hamilton Report: FOI release

From the legal advice released in October 2024 following SIC decision notice 193/2024 on page 87: “An affidavit from [redacted – section 38(1)(b)] as former head of the Secretariat about the arrangements was provided to OSIC as additional evidence.” 1) I request the above affidavit, as well any other affidavits provi...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.36(1) s.14(2) s.14 s.14O s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-04
Reference: FOI/202500491548
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Immigration-related land use, Equality Act compliance and safeguarding information: FOI Review

Original request 202500486123 1. Immigration-Related Land Use • Recorded information (briefings, board or management papers, correspondence, leases/licences, meeting minutes, internal reports, or ministerial directions) from 1 Jan 2019–present on: • Use, proposed use, or upcoming plans involving forestry or woodland f...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.2 s.4 s.5 s.12 s.15 s.25(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) s.1 s.33 s.38 s.21 s.17(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2026-02-03
Reference: FOI/202500489170 Review of 202500486123
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Release of legally privileged information and use of WhatsApp on Scottish Government phones: FOI release

1. Could you provide how many occasions in the last two years that the Scottish Government has been forced to publicly release legally privileged information, and include what this info was and why it had to be released? 2. Could you supply how many incidents have been recorded of government staff, officials or minist...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-02
Reference: FOI/202500491146
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

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

Student Awards Agency Scotland student support regulations and ministerial guidance: FOI Review

Original Request 202500480810 1) Eligibility rules, guidance and terminology 1.1 Current eligibility policies and any post-2019 change logs covering residency/immigration categories and evidence requirements, including ministerial guidance relied upon. 1.2 Any internal guidance/training issued to staff addressing th...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.1 s.2 s.3 s.5 s.15 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: FOI/202500484523 Review of 202500480810
Directorate
Topic: Education, Money and tax, 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

Council Tax enforcement: FOI release

1. Policy Documents Governing Summary Warrants Internal guidance, memos, or statutory interpretation documents relating to the use of summary warrants for council tax enforcement Legal justification for bypassing judicial hearings and denying debtors the right to rebut 2. Council Tax Redistribution Breakdown Percent...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.19 s.30 s.17(1) s.84 s.81

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: FOi/202500484756
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

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

Sponsorship and oversight of the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) queries: FOI Review

Original request 202500478551 You asked for the following information regarding the Scottish Government’s sponsorship and oversight of the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC), with particular focus on its legal compliance, safeguarding policies, use of public funds, and ideological neutrality.

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.30 s.38(1) s.38(1)B s.3 s.17 s.17(1) s.38 s.34(1) s.15 4 attachments

Published: 2025-12-23
Reference: FOI/202500482902 Review of 202500478551
Directorate: Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Raising of Palestinian flag on Scottish Government buildings: FOI Review

Original Request - 202500483555 “Publish all correspondence (including those of the First Minister and his advisors and “spin doctors”) relating to the raising of the Palestinian flag. These communications should include all warnings and impact assessments done into the repercussions (especially from the Jewish/Israel...

FOI not held 70 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-10
Reference: FOI/202500488559 Review of 202500483555
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Constitutional position on public service pension control: FOI release

A. Devolution Settlement Analysis 1) Legal analysis of tension between devolved health/education services and reserved pension control 2) Any legal advice received regarding Scottish Government's position on public service pension arrangements 3) Documentation of discussions with UK Government regarding pension devolu...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.4

Published: 2025-12-09
Reference: FOI/202500482582
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Sponsorship and oversight of the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC): FOI release

Following on from your previous FoI request (ref. 202500478551), you asked for the following information regarding the Scottish Government’s sponsorship and oversight of the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC).

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts s.17(1) s.1(1) s.9(1) s.38(1) s.30

Published: 2025-12-09
Reference: FOI/202500484160
Directorate: Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector