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

569 matching releases

Costing for the referral made to Supreme Court and internal predication: FOI release

The total Scottish Government (including civil service) costings for the referral, and case due to be made at the Supreme Court this October on the legality of holding another independence referendum. This should also encompass legal advice costings. If there is any internal prediction as to how much the Lord Advocates...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-01-12
Reference: 202200316878
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence relating to Big Sand case and associated records: EIR release

All correspondence, file notes and other records arising from the dealings of the office of the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Scottish Forestry in respect of my client’s, Mr Kenneth MacRitchie, woodland creation application for the 13 Big Sand croft, not for any other matter or person or organisation. Furthe...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 46 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-01-11
Reference: 202200299297
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Major NHS service changes: FOI release

Copies of communications that have taken place within the Scottish Government concerning guidance on major NHS service changes in the period January 2022 to date. Copies of any updated written guidance on major NHS service changes. Copies of communications discussing consultation or publication of revised guidance on m...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1)

Published: 2024-01-11
Reference: 202300352575
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence of decision to keep face coverings: FOI release

Details of all correspondence, including emails and notes of meetings, in connection with the decision by the Scottish Government in March 2022 to keep people in the country continue to use face masks despite England opting for the opposite approach, with the exception of some situations. Details of the correspondence ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-01-10
Reference: 202300339336
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Confirmation of Pfizer vaccine: FOI release

What evidence was provided to the Scottish Government in relation to any change of evidence provided to the United States Food & Drug Administration in 2020 and the testimony provided to the European Union in 2022? Who within Pfizer, or other Covid vaccine providers provided confirmation of the vaccines preventing tran...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 46 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.17(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2024-01-09
Reference: 202200325008
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Internal Scottish Government discussion/analysis of the Scot2Ger project: EIR release

In November 2021 Scottish Enterprise commissioned the Scot2Ger project. Please provide all internal Scottish Government discussion/analysis of the Scot2Ger project, including discussion/analysis of the Scot2Ger report published in June 2022. As the information you have requested is 'environmental information' for the...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(5) s.10(4) 10 attachments

Published: 2024-01-09
Reference: 202200329884
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Public sector

John Swinney's meetings 26 September and 6 October 2022: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to John Swinney's meetings with David Tydeman on September 26, and ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 45 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.33(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-01-09
Reference: 202300338423
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Alleged ministerial code breach by Jenny Gilruth: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish government, Humza Yousaf and Jenny Gilruth over her allegedly breaching the ministerial code over delaying rail works in her constituency, 2. Has an investigation been started by the First Minister into this incident after he promised to do so on 18 May? 3. If s...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38 s.36 s.30 s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-01-05
Reference: 202300361845
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Mairi McAllan briefing for appearance at the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee on 25 January 2023: EIR release

The briefing given to the then minister Mairi McAllan for her appearance in front of the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee on 25 January 2023. As the information you have requested is ‘environmental information’ for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs)...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) 6 attachments

Published: 2024-01-05
Reference: 202300355989
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ivan McKee's meeting with Sanjeev Gupta: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to Ivan McKee's meeting with Sanjeev Gupta on October 7, 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2024-01-05
Reference: 202300338445
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Noise guidance for onshore wind turbines: EIR release

Information with regard to the publication: ‘A review of noise guidance for onshore wind turbines’: Please can you supply me with the date members of the Scottish Parliament and civil servants were first informed of the publication of the WSP Report - ‘A review of noise guidance for onshore wind turbines’? Please can ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) 22 attachments

Published: 2024-01-04
Reference: 202300351324
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Prison Service mobile phones for prisoners: FOI release

Whether any value for money review has been conducted of the Scottish Prison Service’s mobile phones for prisoners project since its introduction in April 2020. All correspondence between the Scottish Prison Service and Scottish Ministers and their Special Advisers regarding prisoner mobile phones. Please provide this ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.38(1) s.33(1) s.34(1) s.35(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.20 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-28
Reference: 202300358582
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Decision making process surrounding the FMEL ferries: FOI release

On 3 May 2022 John-Paul Marks appeared in front of the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee. He was answering questions on the decision making process surrounding the FMEL ferries. In particular he was asked if the failure to properly keep written records of decision making process was a breach of the law. He stated t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings contracts s.30 s.33(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-21
Reference: 202200298441
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights correspondence around accommodation: FOI release

All correspondence (digital and paper), meeting notes and minutes, and telephone call transcripts between the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights, Patrick Harvie MSP, and individuals or organisations claiming to represent a) tenants, b) private landlords, c) social landlords and d) pur...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 62 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.38(1) s.30 54 attachments

Published: 2023-12-18
Reference: 202300346134
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence concerning National Treatment centre Inverness: EIR release

All briefings, correspondence, emails, letters, notes of meetings and telephone conversations, since 1 September 2021 between Scottish Government Ministers/Officials/Special Advisors and NHS Highland concerning the completion date and operational date of the National Treatment Centre, Inverness. As the information you ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 54 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.11 s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-16
Reference: 202200280090
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Total expenditure paid by DEFRA et al: FOI Review

Further to my email of 25 August, and your further request for a review of our failure to respond within the original deadline, I have now completed my review. You asked for the total public expenditure paid by DEFRA, the Scottish Government and/or any other public bodies in connection to the response to Aarhus commun...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.16(3) s.20 s.39(2)

Published: 2023-12-15
Reference: FOI Review - 202300373083
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Infected Blood Compensation: FOI release

Copies of all e-mail correspondence (including any attachments) relating to Infected Blood Compensation sent to or by staff working in Blood Donation and Abortion Policy during the period 30th August 2023 - 6th September 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-14
Reference: FOI/202300374927
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Safety of COVID-19 vaccine for children: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence including the then First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, relating to the decision to offer COVID-19 vaccines to children under the age of 16 in Scotland. The vaccine was originally advised NOT to be given to children by the JCVI, but the Government(s) at Holyrood and Westminster would over-rule ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-13
Reference: 202300353460
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Consultation on changes to permitted development rights in Scotland: EIR release

You asked for information relating to section 6.2 of the public consultation on Phase 3 of the Scottish Government's review of permitted development rights (PDR). As the information you have requested is 'environmental information' for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), w...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.6 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-12
Reference: 202300360400
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Proposed South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan: EIR release

Any advice given to Ministers on rejection of the Proposed South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan (SDP) between 20th July 2018 and 19th May 2019.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.20 6 attachments

Published: 2023-12-12
Reference: 202200298249
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Public sector

BBC Scotland 'Disclosure': FOI release

Details of any meetings between the First Minister OR Cabinet Secretaries OR any Ministers with responsibility for sexual health AND any persons or organisations (including third party representatives) wishing to discuss so-called “buffer zones” around sexual health clinics and any other facilities where abortions are ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-11
Reference: 202200301765
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Independence Referendum Bill Supreme Court Correspondence: FOI release

Any correspondence between special advisers, senior civil servants within either the constitution or legal directorate, and ministers within the Scottish Government and SNP party officials around the Supreme Court reference of the independence referendum bill. This should cover the calendar year of 2022 and exclude MSP...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202200332044
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Guidance on non-departmental bodies, advisory bodies, working groups, and commissions: FOI release

Any Scottish Government documents that offer guidance in setting up: non-departmental public bodies working groups commissions any bodies that contain members paid to advise the Scottish Government

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202200330276
Directorate: Public Service Reform Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding Deputy First Minister statement on COVID-19 Inquiry: FOI release

All correspondence, briefings, question and answer preparation and notes provided to Shona Robinson in preparation for the ministerial statement on October 31 2023 entitled: Covid-19 Inquiries (Scottish Government's provision of information).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-07
Reference: FOI/202300383809
Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Background information on S6W-11314: FOI release

Please provide all internal memos, advice, procedural notes and other communications prepared in response to question S6W-11314, asked by Gordon MacDonald on 30 September and answered by George Adam on 3 October.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-07
Reference: 202200323491
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector