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

Ministerial salary increase timing and messaging records: FOI release

Access to records related to the timing and public messaging of the recent ministerial salary increase. Specifically: 1. **Internal Communications:** - Emails, meeting minutes, and memos between the Office of the First Minister and the Public Relations teams discussing how the timing of the announcement was chosen. - ...

FOI not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-21
Reference: FOI/202500462016
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister's agenda and communications from Monday 3rd March 2025: FOI release

Please provide all information held by the Scottish Government relating to the activities and communications of the First Minister on Monday 3 March 2025 (0:00AM to 24:00PM). This should include but not necessarily be limited to: 1. Copies of all written materials provided to and/or by the First Minister (FM) 2. Copie...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.4 s.6 s.39(1) s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-15
Reference: FOI/202500459057
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government Ministers overseas trips: FOI release

You asked for: 1) Since May 2016, on how many occasions have Scottish Government ministers taken trips overseas? 2) In relation to Q1, what method of transport did they use? Please specify aircraft type where applicable. 3) In relation to Q1, what class did they travel in? 4) On how many occasions, if any, did the ...

FOI not held 45 score 15 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.27(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-07-15
Reference: FOI/202500461317
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Deputy First Minister’s diary for Monday 3rd March 2025: FOI release

Please provide all information held by the Scottish Government relating to the activities and communications of the Deputy First Minister on Monday 3 March 2025 (0:00AM to 24:00PM). This should include but not necessarily be limited to: 1. Copies of all written materials provided to and/or by the Deputy First Minister...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.4 s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-14
Reference: FOI/202500459051
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Institute for Fiscal Studies report into income tax rises: FOI release

Further information on Scottish taxpayers following changes to Scottish Income Tax at the 2025-26 Budget, and: “all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about the IFS report into income tax r...

FOI not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.17(1) s.27(1) s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-07-10
Reference: FOI/202500463547
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, 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

Scottish Government unauthorized disclosures impact statistics : FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, please provide the number of fines or any other disciplinary actions taken against ministers, civil servants or employees of the Scottish Government for unauthorized disclosures from 2020 to 2025

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

Published: 2025-07-07
Reference: FOI/202500462988
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

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

Scottish Government employees requests to work remotely outside of Scotland: FOI release

For each of the last five full financial years, please provide: The number of formal requests made by Scottish Government civil servants or employees to work remotely from outside Scotland. The number of such requests that were approved. For approved requests, please provide: - If possible, the country the individual ...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-07-02
Reference: FOI/202500468253
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Secure accommodation for convicted children: FOI release

You asked for the number of children on remand or who have been convicted but are unable to be placed in Secure Care due to capacity or other issues.

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20

Published: 2025-07-01
Reference: FOI/202500459471
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Non-domestic rates charged on shooting rights and deer forests: FOI release

1. How much has the Scottish Government paid since 2019 (broken down by year and by council area) to local councils in sporting rates? a. What was the main purpose of this expenditure? Please provide dates and any further details and/or correspondence relating to the expenditure on sporting rates. 2. How much have Sc...

FOI not held 45 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-06-26
Reference: FOI/202500458018
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

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

Scottish Government policy guidance on Artificial Intelligence use: FOI release

Copies of any records of interactions with ChatGPT or other AI chatbot/LLM systems conducted by Scottish Government Ministers, including but not limited to: 1. Chat logs, transcripts, or records of any interactions between Scottish Ministers and ChatGPT (or similar AI chatbots) that were conducted on government device...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.3 s.12 s.16 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-06-25
Reference: FOI/202500457535
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

NHS Fife Tribunal and Scottish Government transphobia guidance: FOI release

1. A copy of the last press update/summary the Scottish Government communications team produced for Ministers and the First Minister regarding the tribunal. 2. A copy of the latest topical briefing regarding the tribunal. By topical briefing I mean a document which summarises an issue for the First Minister and other...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.3 s.30 s.38 s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-06-24
Reference: FOI/202500457127
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Health and social care, Public sector, +1 more … Work and skills

Shingles vaccination administration: FOI release

1) The health evidence which supports the decision to go straight to 65 and ignore those between 65 and 70. 2) All correspondence, minutes and notes of meetings which relate to the decision to reduce the age to 65 and the approach to implementing the change. This request has been interpreted as you seeking informatio...

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

Published: 2025-06-24
Reference: FOI/202500457842
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Distance travelled by vehicles in the Government Car Service: EIR release

1. In each year since 2020-21, including the current year to date, how many kilometres have been travelled by vehicles in the Government Car Service? Please provide rough estimates if exact data is not available. 2. If possible, could this also be broken down by Government Minister?

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 9 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)

Published: 2025-06-18
Reference: EIR/202500459097
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Procurement card purchases: FOI Review

Original request 202500463140 Information regarding the use of procurement cards issued by the Scottish Government for the last full five financial years. Specifically, I am requesting: A detailed breakdown of all purchases made using procurement cards, regardless of value, including the following information for ea...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.21(4) s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2025-06-18
Reference: FOI/202500463239 Review of 202500463140
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Energy and Climate Change Directorate meetings with oil and gas operators and/or organisations: EIR release

Copies of all documents associated with all meetings held on the following dates between officials in the Energy and Climate Change Directorate and oil and gas operators and/or organisations representing oil and gas interests. Please note there may be more than one relevant meeting on each date. For each meeting, ple...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.10(5) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-06-10
Reference: EIR/202500456186
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Scottish Government response from First Minister to Ineos chief executive: EIR release

Please can the Scottish Government provide the response received by Inoes to the letter sent by first minister John Swinney to Ineos chief executive, Jim Ratcliffe, on 6 February 2025. Details of that letter are in this FOI release. Please also provide details of any follow up meetings or correspondence that happened o...

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

Published: 2025-06-05
Reference: FOI/202500464284
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Procurement on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion roles and training: FOI release

1) The number of roles across all components of your operations, directorates and management structures, expressed in numbers of full-time employees (FTE), that are mainly or exclusively focussed on issues of equality, diversity, or inclusivity. This information should encompass all roles based in central offices, as w...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.4 s.5 s.25(1) s.20 s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2025-05-12
Reference: FOI/202500455764
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, 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

Guidance on BESS (battery energy storage systems) developments: EIR release

Whether the Scottish Government have any policy or technical guidance on the development of BESS developments in sensitive areas such as surface water protected areas.

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

Published: 2025-05-08
Reference: EIR/202500455854
Directorate: Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

National guidance on provision of cookers under the Scottish Welfare Fund: FOI release

Information regarding national policy and guidance on the provision of cookers under the Scottish Welfare Fund.

FOI not held 45 score 10 working days correspondence ministers contracts s.27(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-04-30
Reference: FOI/202500456351
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Low Emission Zone (LEZ) information: EIR release

Following on from a previous correspondence, you have asked a number of questions related to the impacts of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) on certain socio-economic groups. You asked for: 1) “I have a concern that certain socio-economic groups are potentially being disproportionately disadvantaged by LEZs so was intereste...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.17I

Published: 2025-04-16
Reference: EIR/202500452564
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

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