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

410 matching releases

National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group information: FOI release

Information regarding the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group. 1. The dates and minutes of all meetings of the Group held since 1 January 2023. 2. A list of any sub-groups or working groups established by the Group, with their purpose and membership where available. 3. Copies of any action p...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-03
Reference: FOI/202500491045
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Documentation which mentions former First Minister Chief of Staff and former Special Adviser: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government that mentions Liz Lloyd, or is from/to her, including correspondence (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, or briefings, from the last three months? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government that mentions Kev...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-02
Reference: FOI/202500456581
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Response statement regarding First Minister's tax claim: FOI release

All internal Scottish Government discussion (involving Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, or Press Officers), by email or direct messaging applications, on the response statement from the Scottish Government included in the Daily Mail story titled ‘Swinney attacked over claim most Scots pay less tax than rest...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-28
Reference: FOI/202500489716
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Diary events for Minister for Parliamentary Business on 18th September 2025: FOI release

The reasons for Jamie Hepburn MSP’s non-attendance at First Minister’s Questions on 18 September 2025. Please provide details of any meetings, events, or other commitments scheduled during that period. Whether Jamie Hepburn MSP was present in the Scottish Parliament at any point on 18 September 2025, and whether he was...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-21
Reference: FOI/202500485183
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Minutes of the meeting between Minister for Public Finance and GFG Alliance: FOI release

I would be grateful if you could comply with the following request in relation to the ministerial statement on 11th September 2025, made by the Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee MSP to Parliament about the status of GFG Alliance businesses in Scotland, mainly those based in Lochaber and Dalzell. During that stat...

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

Published: 2026-01-21
Reference: FOI/202500485956
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding editing First Minister’s media release after publication: FOI release

This request relates to the following news release: https://www.gov.scot/news/challenging-poverty-with-family-friendly-policies/ When first published on 6th October 2025, the above news release included the following statement: The cost-of-living guarantee: Lower income tax than in the rest of the UK for the majori...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500488097
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Correspondence on whether a correction to the Official Report was necessary regarding remarks on Professor Alexis Jay: FOI release

You asked "for the period 16th September 2025 - date, please provide all internal and external correspondence (including by direct messaging application) and notes of phone calls or meetings (in person or virtual) which discuss the question of whether a correction to the Official Report was necessary with respect to re...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500498692
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Correspondence on First Minister’s Tax Claim and Potential Correction: FOI release

At FMQs on 2nd October 2025, John Swinney said this: “Over half of taxpayers in Scotland continue to pay less tax than if they lived elsewhere in the United Kingdom.” Please provide all internal and external correspondence (including by direct messaging application) and notes of phone calls or meetings (in person or ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500488531
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice’s income tax remark discussions: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence (including by direct messaging application) and notes of phone calls or meetings (in person or virtual) involving Scottish Government ministers, civil servants, special advisers, or press officers, which discuss the veracity of Shirley-Anne Somerville’s below remarks, and/or the...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500488544
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care meetings on GP walk-in centres: FOI release

You asked for a list of the meetings (in person or virtual) involving Neil Gray at which the subject of GP walk-in centres was discussed.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1)

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500488923
Directorate: Digital Health and Care Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Ministerial and Special Adviser private office structure: FOI release

For each of the following: Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs’ Private Office Minister for Victims and Community Safety’s Private Office Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans’ Private Office Special Advisers’ (SpAds) Private Office Please provide: A breakdown of all posts/roles within each off...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 7 working days correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-19
Reference: FOI/202500490036
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government employees receiving compensation for losing their position: FOI release

Information over the names of MSPs, ministers or other officials including civil servants and staff who have received any payment related to losing any official position, by way of a compensation or pay off for each year since and including 2017 and can it be made clear whether the payments were contractual or otherwis...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500483313
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

NHS Fife statement on the recommencement of the employment tribunal information: FOI release

Information held by the Scottish Government relating to a statement released by NHS Fife on 18th July titled, “Statement on the Recommencement of the Employment Tribunal". 1. Correspondence with NHS Fife – All correspondence (emails, letters, Teams/Slack chats, WhatsApp, Signal, SMS, call notes, and any attachments/dr...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.4 s.5 s.17(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500486035
Directorate: Health Workforce Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

First Minister's London trip details: FOI release

Information relating to the First Minister's visit to London on Monday 22nd September 2025, including: 1. A copy of the itinerary for the visit 2. A full list of individuals that the First Minister had meetings with during this visit 3. The total cost to the Scottish Government for this visit, including any travel a...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.39(1) s.38(1) s.32(1) s.28 s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500486179
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 Delivery plan update 2025: EIR review

Original request – 202500479518 You asked for “All memos, emails, reports (internal or external) and other such information which formed a part of the evidence-base and rationale for the decision by Marine Directorate published on page 6 of Scotland’s Fisheries Management Strategy 2020-2030 Delivery plan update 2025 v...

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

Published: 2026-01-07
Reference: EIR/202500484110 Review of 202500479518
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

First Minister’s travel costs to Washington with delegates from the Scotch Whisky Association: FOI release

1. The First Minister’s total travel costs relating to his recent travel to Washington with a delegation from the Scotch Whisky Association. 2. The First Minister’s total accommodation costs relating to his recent travel to Washington with a delegation from the Scotch Whisky Association. 3. Any travel and accommodati...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.27(1) s.39(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-07
Reference: FOI/202500483907
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

NHS Fife employment tribunal queries: FOI Review

Original request 202500476219 1. The exact date and time when Scottish Ministers were first informed that Sandie Peggie had been cleared of gross misconduct by NHS Fife. Please provide the correspondence of ministers being informed of this development and any further correspondence where ministers discuss the implicat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.4 s.5 s.38 s.2 s.3 s.30 s.25 4 attachments

Published: 2025-12-23
Reference: FOI/202500482778 Review of 202500476219
Directorate: Health Workforce Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Scottish Government meetings with SSE: EIR Review

Original request: 202500459262 Please provide me with any documentation relevant to the following meetings, including but not limited to: a list of attendees and their affiliations what topics were discussed any briefings or other information provided to attendees or officials minutes, and any agreed actions On 12/7...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-18
Reference: EIR/202500468577 Review of 202500459262
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government defence spending statement: FOI release

On 14th August 2025, The Times newspaper published a story headlined: Defence spending row as SNP accused of ‘wholly misleading’ figures. Please provide all internal Scottish Government discussion (involving Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, or Press Officers), by email or direct messaging applications, on t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp s.38(1) 8 attachments

Published: 2025-11-18
Reference: FOI/202500480566
Directorate: Chief Economist Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Tartan Week costs breakdown: FOI release

You asked for "Could you supply all expenses from John Swinneys tartan week, including hotel costs, travel costs, food and drink costs, from him and all of the civil servants/officials/advisers who accompanied him, with a breakdown per person?"

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.27(1) s.39(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-12
Reference: FOI/202500462537
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, International, Public sector

Correspondence with Blackford Consultancy Ltd and Ministers or Special Advisers: FOI release

You asked for all information in all briefings prepared for ministers, their offices and special advisers for meetings with former SNP MP Ian Blackford or the Blackford Consultancy Ltd (SC823029), since 6 May 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-12
Reference: FOI/202500479473
Directorate: Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Corporate spend savings correspondence and calculations: FOI Review

Original request: 202500472708 1. How the Scottish Government calculated that a 20% reduction in public body corporate costs would result in a £1 billion in annualised savings as per its Public Service Reform Strategy published on 19 June 2025. Please set out the total costs that the Scottish Government currently esti...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30(1) s.29 s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-11-11
Reference: FOI/202500477100 review of 202500472708
Directorate: Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Meetings between the First Minister and SSE PLC Chairman: FOI release

I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 regarding meetings between John Swinney, the current First Minister, and Sir John Manzoni, SSE plc Chairman who serves as a special and alleged “independent” adviser to the First Minister. Specifically, I would like to obtain reco...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.2 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-05
Reference: FOI/202500478775
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Business case and proposal for commissioning Reach Advocacy Ltd: FOI Review

Original Request: 202500467478 The Business Case & Proposal for Scottish Government’s Commissioning of Reach Advocacy. Delivering quality assured advocacy and human rights qualification and training, across four government portfolios (15th of October 2024).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1)B s.38 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500477830 Review of 202500467478
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Business case and proposal for Reach Advocacy commission: FOI Review

Original Request: 202500467505 The Business Case & Proposal for Scottish Government’s Commissioning of Reach Advocacy. Delivering quality assured advocacy and human rights qualification and training, across four government portfolios (15th of October 2024).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1)B s.38 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500477926 - Review of 202500467505
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector