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

143 matching releases

Beaw Field Wind Farm planning permissions: EIR release

1. Status of deemed planning permission(s). Please confirm, as a matter of fact and law: a) Whether the 2017 deemed planning permission lapsed on 30 November 2022; and b) Whether the 2023 deemed planning permission lapsed on 30 November 2024; If not, please identify the Ministerial decision or other legal basis on wh...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.2 s.27 s.3 s.36 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.36C s.42 s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-09
Reference: EIR/202500480807
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Energy, Environment and climate change, +1 more … Public sector

Procedural failures in public notice for Mey BESS application: EIR release

Annex A confirms that the public notice for Mey BESS was published incorrectly in June 2024, requiring republication and an extended consultation deadline. This constitutes a material procedural irregularity. I request disclosure of all internal discussions, legal advice, or correspondence relating to this failure and ...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.36 s.10(4)

Published: 2025-12-08
Reference: EIR/202500483963
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

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

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 the Equality Act definition of “s...

FOI not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.1 s.2 s.3 s.5 s.20 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.35(1) s.30 s.4 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-20
Reference: FOI/202500480810
Directorate
Topic: Education, Money and tax, Public sector

Didemnum vexillum correspondence and species control agreement information: EIR release

Please provide all emails pertaining to "dvex AND oysters" OR "dvex AND Loch Creran" i.e. emails that do not contain both references to Dvex and oysters, or Dvex and Loch Creran, can be considered outside the scope of the request, and Please also include the minutes from meetings which set out species control agreeme...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.14D s.10(4) s.9 s.10 s.7 s.11(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-18
Reference: EIR/202500480841
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

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

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 meetings s.17(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.30B s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-11-05
Reference: FOI/202500478551
Directorate: Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

HC2 Certificate Eligibility, Immigration Compliance and NHS Funding Divergence: FOI release

1. Immigration Status Verification and Policy Divergence a.What formal process exists in Scotland to verify immigration status (including leave to remain and NRPF conditions) when assessing HC2 certificate eligibility for NHS-funded care? b. On what legal or devolved policy basis does the Scottish Government permit d...

FOI not held 45 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.95 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-11-04
Reference: FOI/202500478549
Directorate: Primary Care Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Various queries relating to Local Councils in Scotland: FOI release

1. As Local Councils in Scotland are listed on Companies House and have a Duns Number are they Corporations. 2. Are Local Councils in Scotland exempt from the Bills of Exchange Act and if they are could you please provide the exemption evidence? 3. Are Local Councils in Scotland Lawfully required to get a written Lia...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.17(1) s.5 s.17

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500477754
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Local authority use of Arm’s Length External Organisations (ALEO’s): FOI release

1. Has the Scottish Government ever been informed of Glasgow City Council’s use of multiple corporate identities and D-U-N-S numbers? 2. Has any public servant in government correspondence acknowledged or accepted this practice? 3. Which incorporated entity holds the liability and legal standing to enforce Council Ta...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.70 s.75

Published: 2025-10-16
Reference: FOI/202500475278
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Number of employees within Scottish Public Pensions Agency’s internal legal team: FOI release

1) The number of FTE employees who work in Scottish Public Pensions Agency’s internal legal team, including all lawyers, solicitors, etc. in a) Financial Year 2022/23, b) Financial Year 2023/24, and c) Financial Year 2024/25. 2) The total amount spent by Scottish Public Pensions Agency on internal legal services, incl...

FOI not held 40 score 13 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2025-09-22
Reference: FOI/202500468255
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Equal Pay claims correspondence: FOI release

1. The total financial cost (including compensation payments and legal costs) incurred by Scottish public bodies in settling equal pay claims each year, for the past five years. 2. The projected total liability for unresolved or outstanding equal pay claims as estimated by the Scottish Government, broken down by each ...

FOI not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence meetings spending whatsapp s.2 s.4 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-17
Reference: FOI/202500463517
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Staff costs in General Practice that are funded by the Scottish Government: FOI release

As section 5 states and staff costs in General Practice are being fully refunded by the Scottish Government through taxation and National Insurance does General Practice in Scotland have to comply with legislation and policy as other public sector bodies do, specifically; Comply with Employment Law Comply with the Equ...

FOI not held 45 score 15 working days correspondence contracts spending s.5

Published: 2025-09-08
Reference: FOI/202500462047
Directorate: Primary Care Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish National Marine Plan (NMP2) information: EIR release

1. What consultations have been held with the tidal stream marine renewable energy industry to establish appropriate development goals (locations and scales of development) for the tidal stream marine renewable energy industry for the period covered by the current revision of the Scottish National Marine Plan (NMP2)? ...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.10(5) s.87 s.10(4) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-07-23
Reference: EIR/202500463944
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Wild fire prevention, statistics and information: EIR release

‘The likelihood of ignition and the impact of wildfire are changing in the National Park as visitor numbers increase and changing land management practices increase fuel loads in some places. Public concern around the wildfire issue has risen in recent years. In light of these changes, the Integrated Wildfire Managemen...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence briefings contracts s.10(4)

Published: 2025-07-22
Reference: EIR/202500461565
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Documentation and correspondence on Visitor Levy: FOI release

FIRST All documents relating to the question and view taken by the Scottish Government as to whether the Visitor Levy as proposed to be raised and collected by Local Councils, under the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 is taxable income in the hands of the business subject to the levy, (namely the “accommodation provi...

FOI not held 70 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts spending s.36(1) s.3(2) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-09
Reference: FOI/202500456480
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Scotrail and Clarus/Starlink contract information: FOI release

1. A rationale, including any specific legal reason, why it is not possible to disinvest from the Clarus/Starlink contract. 2. Copies of any correspondence (or minutes of any meeting) where Ministers may have instructed officials to investigate disinvesting from the Clarus/Starlink contract. 3. Copies of any briefing...

FOI not held 40 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts

Published: 2025-07-02
Reference: FOI/202500456300
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) meetings and documentation: EIR release

1. How many meetings has WICS had with the Scottish Government in the last three months, and could you supply minutes/notes from these meetings? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government about the WICS chairman Donald MacRae resigning, including correspondence (including internal), minutes/...

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

Published: 2025-06-26
Reference: EIR/202500457097
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Footnote 5.2 of the 2024 Ministerial Code queries: FOI Review

Original request 202400445734 1) Who was the author/who suggested to the FM to include footnote 5.2 "Information provided to the Independent Advisers for the purposes of their functions is provided in confidence."? within the 2024 ministerial code? 2) Any and all communications (minutes, whatsapps, emails, anything) ...

FOI not held 70 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-05-08
Reference: FOI/202500449679 Review of 202400445734
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Stobo woodland creation scheme information: EIR Review

Original request 202400439411 In respect of the Stobo woodland creation scheme (23FGS74574), located in the South Scotland conservancy. Please could Scottish Forestry provide information in respect of the following: 1. The identities of entities and/or individuals who have invested in the Forestry Carbon Sequestrati...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.10(4) s.10(5) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-04-16
Reference: EIR/202500453779 Review of 202400439411
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Information pertaining to Scottish Information Commissioner decision 004/2023: FOI release

In relation to the legal advice released by the Scottish Government in October 2024 in relation SIC decision notice 004/2023 and the court case XA10/23. The following passages exist: "It shows that Ministers failed to convey accurately the true position when making submissions to the Commissioner" and "Scottish Minist...

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

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452221
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Access to Information Rights in Scotland: FOI release

You set your request in context by referencing the Scottish Government’s response to the Access to Information Rights in Scotland consultation: Access to Information Rights in Scotland Response to analysis of consultation responses published in November 2023, noting the following commitments made by the Scottish Govern...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.4 s.6 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.36(1) s.29(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-18
Reference: FOI/202500450915
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Poseidon Report queries: EIR release

Copy of the Poseidon Report (PR) dated early December 2024. Covering correspondence submitted along with the report. Notes of any meetings, exchanges, and correspondence between Scottish Government Officials and SFO, SFPO, SPFA about the PR or economic link from the date of receiving the PR. Scottish Government formal ...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-04
Reference: EIR/202500448207
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Visitor Levy Act queries: FOI release

Please provide the specific reason used by the Scottish Government to decide that the visitor levy would be treated as part of the accommodation provider’s turnover. Please provide the specific reason provided to HMRC by the Scottish Government for treating the visitor levy as part of the accommodation provider’s turn...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.3 s.5 s.17(1) s.36(1) s.3(2)

Published: 2025-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500449922
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Gender Neutral Toilets and Sex Equality and Equity Network: FOI release

1. SG’s trans policy on using toilets and changing rooms, including the impact assessment informing that policy and information on who (excluding personal data) was consulted; whether any complaints or concerns have been made (again excluding personal data). 2. Information held in SG’s viva engage site for LGBT+ staff...

FOI not held 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence s.17(1) s.38 s.39(1) s.36(1) s.4 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-31
Reference: FOI/202400446122
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Stobo woodland creation scheme information: EIR release

In respect of the Stobo woodland creation scheme (23FGS74574), located in the South Scotland conservancy. Please could Scottish Forestry provide information in respect of the following: 1. The identities of entities and/or individuals who have invested in the Forestry Carbon Sequestration Fund. 2. Is the Stobo woodl...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 56 working days over deadline correspondence meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-01-28
Reference: EIR/202400439411
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Drafts and correspondence on constitutional roles of law officers of Scotland report: FOI release

The draft of Mr McMillan’s commissioned report on the constitutional role(s) of the law officers of Scotland, including potential for reform, provided by Malcolm McMillan to Graham Fisher on 5th May; Any subsequent drafts of Mr McMillan’s report; Any comments provided by ministers or officials on the draft report of 5t...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17 s.25 s.38 s.29 2 attachments

Published: 2024-11-11
Reference: FOI/202400434305
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector