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

932 matching releases

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

Future Farm Investment Scheme administration and application information: EIR release

I wish to receive the following information regarding the scheme under the The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, regarding the administration and application of the £21.4million grant scheme for Future Farm Investment The exact number of application i...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.39(2)

Published: 2026-02-04
Reference: EIR/202500491581
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Classification and ancillary costs of former First Minister's travel to Qatar: FOI release

I am requesting information regarding the decision-making process, classification, and public expenditure related to trips undertaken by the former First Minister, Humza Yousaf, to Qatar between 29 March 2023 and 7 May 2024. Please provide: 1. Trip Classification Protocol: Any internal correspondence, briefing notes,...

FOI not held 45 score 12 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.39 s.30 s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-03
Reference: FOI/202500496383
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, 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

Landfill ban information: EIR release

1. Please provide me with a copy of any briefing notes prepared for Ministers within the last 12 months on the landfill ban that is due to come into force on 31st December 2025. 2. Please provide me with a list of the landfill sites that any landfill from Scotland after the 31st December 2025 is due to be sent to for ...

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

Published: 2026-02-03
Reference: EIR/202500491029
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Material regarding mistaken releases: FOI release

1. Copies of any briefings to Ministers, Special Advisers or Directors since 1 April 2020 that mention “release in error”, “erroneous release”, or “mistaken release” in the Scottish Prison Service. 2. Any correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service about the scale, causes, or prevent...

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

Published: 2026-02-03
Reference: FOI/202500491040
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence from selected MSP's relating to the Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

Please provide the number of items of correspondence (including letters andemails) received by the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy, andBiodiversity from the following MSPs: Fergus Ewing Kate Forbes Ash Regan concerning the Deposit Return Scheme between 13 May 2021 and 30 April2024. Where possible, I woul...

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

Published: 2026-02-02
Reference: FOI/202500490831
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Interests of independent advisers on Scottish Ministerial Code: FOI release

Please supply all items of information in the list of professional roles supplied to the First Minister by the independent advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code in line with their terms of reference; all information in any 'relevant changes' notified by any adviser to the First Minister; all information notified by...

FOI not held 70 score 7 working days correspondence ministers s.17 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-02
Reference: FOI/202500493373
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, 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

Renfrew High School inspection and complaints: FOI release

When was Renfrew High school (Renfrewshire) last inspected by Education Scotland? When was Renfrew High School learning hub (Renfrewshire), last inspected by Education Scotland? How many Complaints has Education Scotland had into Renfrew High School learning hub (Renfrewshire) in the last FIVE years (broken down yearly...

FOI not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.66 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-28
Reference: FOI/202500490115
Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Meeting information and spend on Changing Places Toilets: FOI release

1. Details of all meetings that have taken place between September 2023 and October 21, 2025, inclusive, between the Scottish Government and relevant stakeholders regarding the pledge made in the 2021/22 Programme for Government to invest £10 million in new Changing Places toilets. 2. How much has been spent of the £1...

FOI not held 45 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.17(1) s.38(1)

Published: 2026-01-26
Reference: FOI/202500490005
Directorate: Mental Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Ending conversion practices in Scotland consultation analysis: FOI release

On 7th October 2025, the Scottish Government published ‘Ending conversion practices in Scotland - consultation analysis: SG response’. The report included the following section: 11. Through analysis of responses and extensive engagement with stakeholders, we recognise that there are specific parts of our proposals whe...

FOI not held 70 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.4 s.5 s.38(1) s.17(1) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-26
Reference: FOI/202500488658
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Costs of Deposit Return Scheme court case with Biffa: EIR release

You asked for: ‘I am writing to request an update to the information previously disclosed under FOI reference 202400440418, concerning the legal costs incurred by the Scottish Government in the case of Biffa Waste Services Ltd v Scottish Minister. Specifically, I request the following information: 1. The total legal...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4)

Published: 2026-01-26
Reference: EIR/202500490555
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Scottish Government spend on Seagull summit: EIR release

1. “The total amount spent by the Scottish Government on anything related to their ‘seagull summit.’ 2. The total spend on any planned travel for the First Minister or Scottish Government Ministers to allow them to attend the ‘seagull summit.’ 3. A list of attendees to the planned seagull summit. 4. Any briefing pre...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-21
Reference: FOI/202500485195
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Disclosure Scotland Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) and Other Relevant Information (ORI) information: FOI release

A. ORI usage & outcomes (10-year view, where held) 1. In the last 10 years, how many individuals had Other Relevant Information (ORI) included on a PVG/Disclosure where there was: No charge, A charge but no conviction, An acquittal. 2. How many individuals remain on a PVG barred list despite having no criminal convi...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.5 s.17(1) s.14 s.14A s.15 s.25(1)

Published: 2026-01-21
Reference: FOI/202500488918
Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Meetings held between Scottish Government ministers and the Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP): FOI release

1. All correspondence between Scottish Government Ministers and their special advisers and Keith Brown MSP. This should include all email correspondence with and from his MSP email, SNP email and any other email accounts used by Keith Brown since 6 May 2025. 2. All meetings (including virtual) Keith Brown MSP has atte...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500487575
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government building occupancy rates, maintenance and running costs: EIR release

As of the most recent date available, please provide: A list of all buildings owned or leased by the Scottish Government (including core directorates and agencies). For each building, the average occupancy rate for the most recent 12-month period and, identify those operating at below 20% occupancy. The annual maint...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.10 s.20 s.2 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500488547
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme information: FOI release

I recently saw a post from the First Minister saying that the free bus scheme had hit a figure of 250,000 for young people in Scotland. Can you please provide the following information: 1. How much has this cost to provide these 250,000 bus journeys? 2. What budget did this come out of? 3. What is the breakdown by reg...

FOI not held 40 score 8 working days correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500488742
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Scottish Ministers meeting with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) details: FOI Review

Original request 202500479154 On the 10th on June 2025, Scottish Ministers met with the EHRC. Please provide the minutes from that meeting - including the names of those in attendance and the length of the meeting.

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

Published: 2026-01-19
Reference: FOI/202500485646 Review of 202500479154
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Serious Organised Crime (SOC) Taskforce meeting documents: FOI release

Documents from the most recent meeting of the Serious Organised Crime (SOC) Taskforce.

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.27(1) s.30 s.35(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-19
Reference: FOI/202500493769
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Details of the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy's trip to Japan: FOI release

1. Could you supply the full expenses from Gillian Martin's trip to Japan in September, including how many officials accompanied her, and their full expenses, including flight costs, accommodation and other expenses? 2. Could you supply all briefings and minutes/notes from meetings Gillian Martin held in Japan?

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.27(1) s.17 s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-14
Reference: FOI/202500486857
Directorate: International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic: Economy, International, Public sector

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) correspondence: FOI release

You asked for a breakdown of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) revenue collected between 1 January 2023 to 31 August 2025 by: Transaction type (residential, non-residential, mixed-use). Transaction value bands. Any exemptions or reliefs applied (e.g., first-time buyers, multiple dwellings, charitable organ...

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

Published: 2026-01-14
Reference: FOI/202500484993
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Safety of battery energy storage facilities correspondence: EIR release

1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the Minister for Victims and Community Safety and the office of the First Minister regarding the safety of battery energy storage facilities. Information should include but n...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-14
Reference: EIR/202500487032
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Formal complaints made about Scottish Government Ministers under the Ministerial Code: FOI release

Following information regarding formal complaints made about Scottish Government Ministers (including former Ministers) under the Ministerial Code, covering the period from 1 May 2021 to the present: How many formal complaints have been made about Ministers under the Ministerial Code since 1 May 2021, broken down by y...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts whatsapp s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500485304
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Complaints regarding catering in Scottish Government buildings: FOI release

1) Any complaints made to the Scottish Government by members of staff or ministers about catering in Scottish Government buildings between May 2021 to date. 1a) Any communications such as emails, letters, or minutes of meetings about any such complaints, and their resolution. 1b) The number of such complaints, broken d...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.17 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500485394
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills