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

Farm inheritance tax correspondence: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about the farm inheritance tax changes, from the last month?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.28(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-08
Reference: FOI/202500460578
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence between NHS Fife and the Scottish Government regarding gender workplace regulations: FOI release

Could you supply all correspondence sent between NHS Fife and the Scottish Government from the last two months regarding gender/sex and/or workplace regulations and/or facilities, and any minutes/notes from meetings during the same time period?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.38(1) s.36(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2025-09-08
Reference: FOI/202500461151
Directorate: Health Workforce Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Deputy First Minister's involvement in matters concerning the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry: FOI release

You asked for information regarding the Deputy First Minister's involvement in matters concerning the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry, specifically with the Solicitor General and Scottish Police Federation. Details of the specific questions are provided below with answers. 1. How many times has Ms Forbes met with the Solic...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.1 s.3 s.8 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.6 s.9 s.12 s.14 s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-04
Reference: FOI/202500470029
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Gender recognition and exceptions under the Equality Act 2010: FOI release

Is it the Scottish Ministers’/ Scottish Government’s position that: A woman is an adult ‘female’? A trans person is ‘female’ if they have used a GRC to change their birth certificate? A trans person, who has legally changed sex on their birth certificate would not be covered by any single sex exception applied under t...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.9 s.9(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2025-09-04
Reference: FOI/202500459870
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Alcohol industry investment and public health messaging: FOI release

1. Ministerial briefings, submissions, or internal documents from January 2020 to present that: Reference both public health harms from alcohol and Public funding or economic promotion of the alcohol industry (e.g. distilleries, breweries, exporters, Scotch whisky industry, alcohol producers) 2. Any Cabinet papers, m...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.28 s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.36 s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-08-20
Reference: FOI/202500474795
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Seapeak Maritime communications: FOI release

All communications from the last 18 months which relate to Seapeak Maritime.

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

Published: 2025-08-19
Reference: FOI/202500474487
Directorate: International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, International, Public sector

Licence conditions (clause 26) in the wild wrasse derogation 2025 documentation: EIR Review

Original request 202500469111 All documents, external and internal emails, and minutes for meetings with list of attendees, relating to the addition of clause 26 in the licence conditions for the above derogation between the 1st of April 2025 and the 4th June 2025.

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

Published: 2025-08-19
Reference: EIR/202500474806 Review of 202500469111
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Cairngorm Mountain Railway documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, which mentions the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, from the last three months.

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

Published: 2025-08-18
Reference: FOI/202500474138
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill documentation: FOI release

1. All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received, minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, and analysis, about the not proven verdict being scrapped, from the last three months. 2. All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and receiv...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.8 s.25(1) s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-11
Reference: FOI/202500472621
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Glenmuckloch to Glenglass Reinforcement Project communications: EIR Review

Original request 202500449632 Copies of all electronic and hand written notes, memos, discussions, drafts, correspondence, emails and material received and issued by the Scottish Ministers, Scottish Power Transmission, or by any agent or representative on its behalf, and to any third party relating to the following li...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.5 s.20 s.11(2) s.10(4) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-31
Reference: EIR/202500466627 Review of 202500449632
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Former Independent Adviser to the Scottish Government communications: FOI Review

Original request 202500458906 In regards to the FOI below, in regards to the 2nd question: "[23/03/2021, 23:08:13] James Hamilton: Hi [Redacted] There is some irony in the fact that the official redactors left far more information in the text than there was in my anonymised versions!" 1) What form of communication i...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.21(4) s.38(1) s.26 s.30 s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-29
Reference: FOI/202500464600 Review of 202500458906
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Sea fishing licence transfer information: EIR release

The process that has been adopted and how it was applied to the most recent licence transfer. This process ensures that, as the public authority responsible for issuing sea fishing licences, the Marine Directorate is doing so whilst meeting the statutory obligations of Section 15 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.15 s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-23
Reference: EIR/202500465621
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Scottish Government spend on legal costs: FOI Review

Original request 202500456930 The total Scottish Government spend on legal costs, including advice and counsel, for any cumulative cost of legal fees over £50k in the last three years, with a breakdown per court case and per costs.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.30 s.2 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-22
Reference: FOI/202500462249 Review of 202500456930
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Public sector

Business Improvement Districts Policy Changes (BIDs): FOI release

Access to any documents, correspondence, reports, or ministerial briefings from 2017-2019 related to the changes in the role of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Scotland, specifically the transition to ‘Improvement Districts’. This includes (but is not limited to): Internal communications between Scottish Gov...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts spending s.38(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.1 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-21
Reference: FOI/202500456342
Directorate: Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

Correspondence related to external requests received concerning a previous response: EIR release

1. All internal Scottish Government correspondence regarding EIR 202400434817 between 30 January 2025 and 27 March 2025. To clarify this should include: correspondence related to external requests received by the Scottish Government about the EIR 202400434817 such as journalists asking about the information contained ...

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

Published: 2025-07-16
Reference: EIR/202500460380
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Human Rights Bill for Scotland documents that relate to the right for food: FOI release

Documents and sections of documents prepared in the course of drafting of the Human Rights Bill for Scotland which specifically relate to the right to food, including any text relating to the right to food which was included in the Scottish Government's draft Bill.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.30 s.36 s.38 6 attachments

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500458689
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Cumulative costs of Scottish Government legal fees from 2020: FOI release

1. In the last five financial years (inclusive of 2024/25), please provide the details of which matters counsel or legal advice was sought for any cumulative cost of legal fees of more than £50,000. 2. This should include live and closed matters, with "matters" taken to be a general description of the action, not the ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500458549
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

City of Edinburgh Council’s proposed Supplementary Guidance on Developer Contributions and Infrastructure Delivery for City Plan 2030 information: EIR Review

Original request - 202500453451 Correspondence, documents or consultation responses from, or submitted to, the Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate by any other Scottish Government department or directorate, public authority or local authority providing their consideration of the City of Edinburgh Counc...

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

Published: 2025-07-03
Reference: EIR/202500457744 Review of 202500453451
Directorate: Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

NHS Scotland gender transitioning guide queries: FOI release

1. Why is the Guide not dated and coded to allow tracking of version changes? 2. Which Minister is designated as responsible for the Guide? 3. Which civil service head is designated as responsible for the Guide? 4. Which organisations or people out with government provided advice on the content of theguidance? 5. P...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.29 2 attachments

Published: 2025-06-26
Reference: FOI/202500457124
Directorate: Health Workforce Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Documentation about sending surplus NHS equipment to Ukraine: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent/received and internally, briefings, analysis, minutes/notes from meetings, about sending surplus NHS equipment to Ukraine, between September 1 2024 and December 1 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.32(1) s.29(1) s.28(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-06-26
Reference: FOI/202500451642
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Scottish Government spend on legal costs: FOI release

The total Scottish Government spend on legal costs, including advice and counsel, for any cumulative cost of legal fees over £50k in the last three years, with a breakdown per court case and per costs.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-06-26
Reference: FOI/202500456930
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence relating to meetings with representatives of Israeli embassy and the Israeli government: FOI Appeal

Any correspondence since January 2024 relating to meetings with representatives of the Israeli embassy in the UK or meetings with other representatives of the Israeli government.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 219 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.32(1) s.30 s.29(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.3(2) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-06-24
Reference: FOI/202400432808 - Appeal
Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Correspondence with Kverva and SalMar: EIR Review

Original request - 202500461058 “All email correspondence, including attachments, exchanged from any email address under your domain ("@gov.scot") with any under the domains for SalMar ("@salmar.no"), or Kverva ("@kverva.no"), from 1 January 2024 through to the date at which you process this request.”

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.10(5) s.9 2 attachments

Published: 2025-06-19
Reference: EIR/202500466995 Review of 202500461058
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Correspondence with the Independent Advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code: FOI release

All items of information in all correspondence between the First Minister, or his officials, and the Independent Advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code, or their support, since 20 January 2025. This should include correspondence in both directions and correspondence addressed to or sent by single or multiple Advise...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-06-10
Reference: FOI/202500454253
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Decision making process for 2017 misoprostol approval: FOI release

Please provide any information you have about the decision-making process that led to the 2017 approval for misoprostol to be taken at home for the termination of pregnancy (https://www.publications.scot.nhs.uk/files/cmo-2017-14.pdf).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-05-13
Reference: FOI/202500455437
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector