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

Documentation regarding Dundee University and Scottish Higher Education sector funding: FOI release

A copy of all briefing notes, speaking notes, emails and other written communication, including Whatsapp and text messages, to and from the Finance Secretary/DFM Shona Robison relating to Dundee University and £15m funding for the Scottish Higher Education sector.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-05-08
Reference: FOI/202500454581
Directorate: Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Council tax correspondence: FOI release

1. Could you supply all correspondence and minutes/notes of meetings between the Scottish Government and councils about council tax in the last two months? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government about the cost of holding the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026, including correspondence...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-04-09
Reference: FOI/202500453158
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

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

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 Council’s proposed Supplementary Guida...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.10(4) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-04-09
Reference: EIR/202500453451
Directorate: Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

Documents and legal advise relating to decision notice (193/2024): FOI release

In relation to decision notice (193/2024), you asked for: 1) In regards to the legal advice that was released. When were the last edits made to the documents that were released? 2) Any communications (whatsapps, emails, texts anything) by ministers, spads, civil servants discussing when to release the legal advice, w...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38 s.26 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400445520
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Information regarding the decision not to give the Scottish Information Commissioner legal advice: FOI release

1) Any and all communications, meetings, minutes, records discussing/referencing the decision not to give the Scottish Information Commissioner the legal advice requested from FOI 202300390057 during his investigation that resulted in decision notice 193/2024. 2) Who within the Scottish Government made the decision no...

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

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500448762
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Information regarding the Ministerial Statement: Legal Advice Relating to Scottish Information Commissioner Decision: FOI Review

Original request 202400445432 1) All briefing notes provided to ministers (e.g. John Swinney, Jamie Hepburn) in preparation of the statement to the Scottish Parliament on the 29th of October: Ministerial Statement: Legal Advice Relating to Scottish Information Commissioner Decision by civil servants, SPADs and anyone ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 2 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.21(4) s.25 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.30 6 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452157 Review of 202400445432
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Former Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport WhatsApp messages during the COVID-19 pandemic: FOI Review

Original request (202400395588) I wish to make a Freedom of Information Request for MSP Maree Todds WhatsApp messages from her ministeral role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 61 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.37(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400405863 Review of 202400395588
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Director General Scottish Exchequer WhatsApp messages during Covid-19 pandemic: FOI release

“Alyson Stafford Director-General Scottish Exchequer What's App messages during the Covid 19 pandemic.”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400427872
Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Forest Stewardship Council and National Risk Assessment Review: EIR release

How does Scottish Forestry assess the legal requirements of forest management activities and related operational requirements under UKFS in relation to felling licence agreements? For example, how often are site visits made before and/or after felling licences are approved to ensure that works carried out meet any sti...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.20 s.39(2) s.54 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-19
Reference: EIR/202500453032
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Documentation relating to early prisoner release scheme; Solicitors Bar Association correspondence and information on reimbursement of remuneration to a former Sheriff: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government about the prisoner early release scheme, including correspondence sent to and from the government, including internal, minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, from the last month (Dec 19 to Jan 19)? 2. Is the Scottish Government seeking...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.36(1) s.38(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2025-03-04
Reference: FOI/202500449152
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Minutes of meetings of flood risk management working group: EIR Review

Original request 202400445508 All minutes of meetings of COSLA and the Scottish Government's flood risk management working group from September 2024 to today’s date.

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

Published: 2025-02-21
Reference: EIR/202500449438 Review of 202400445508
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Justice correspondence mentioning gendered law: FOI release

All written material to/from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice since 01 Sept 2024 which mentions who is to be covered by gendered law.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500447597
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Review of Creative Scotland: FOI release

(1) Can you release all correspondence between the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland in 2024 and 2025 regarding the Scottish Government’s review of Creative Scotland? (2) Can you release any internal correspondence regarding the Scottish Government’s review of Creative Scotland?

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

Published: 2025-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500447984
Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Core Solutions mediation of Duff & Phelps and the Scottish Government: FOI Review

Original request 202400440539 The precise instruction given to Core Solutions Limited to provide mediation between the Duff & Phelps and SGLD in the contract detailed below and All further information supplied by SGLD to Core Solutions to enable them to complete their work. The contract you referred to is the contr...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.36(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-14
Reference: FOI/202400445446 Review of 202400440539
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Scottish Drugs Forum and treatment time guarantee correspondence: FOI release

1. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government, including internally, briefings, analysis and minutes/notes from meetings, about the Scottish Drugs Forum and specifically drug deaths, from the last two months? 2. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received by the Scottish...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-14
Reference: FOI/202400445434
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Documentation and correspondence from David Davis MP: FOI release

All documentation held about or from David Davis MP, including correspondence, including internal, minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, between July 1 2024 and the date of this FOI.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 45 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-14
Reference: FOI/202400443239
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding Operation Branchform: FOI release

1. A copy of any briefing for the First Minister that relates to Operation Branchform. 2. The last email or message sent by the First Minister’s office or the man himself that mentions Operation Branchform. 3. Any Scottish Government document sent to First Minister that refers to ‘Operation Branchform top lines’. 4....

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-28
Reference: FOI/202400445252
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) child protection and safeguarding correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence, agendas and meeting minutes of Jenny Gilruth, Education Minister, and her office, with GTCS apropos child protection and safeguarding. Please also share all correspondence on this matter shared internally by her civil servants and SPADs.

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

Published: 2025-01-27
Reference: FOI/202400443517
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Total 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 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-22
Reference: FOI/202400443238
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Former Data Commissioner investigation into the use of government messaging services: FOI release

All briefings and correspondence held by the Scottish Government about the investigation launched by Emma Martins into the use of government WhatsApps and messaging services between July 1 and August 1 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-22
Reference: FOI/202400443100
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Chief Executive of Children's Hearings Scotland term of appointment: FOI Review

Orginal Request 202400438045 Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act, I would like copies of all correspondence held by Scottish Government about the Chief Executive of Children's Hearings Scotland having their term of appointment, which was due to expire on 06 October 2024, extended.

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

Published: 2025-01-21
Reference: FOI/202400442239 Review of 202400438045
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) publication: FOI release

Please send me all early drafts of the original child rights assessment ISBN/9781836013242. Send me all correspondence suggesting changes to the original draft and ultimately authorising its publication. Send me all correspondence ordering the original draft to be pulled from the website, including the reasons for its ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-20
Reference: FOI/202400442058
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Biffa legal case regarding the Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

1) How much money the Scottish Government has spent contesting the legal case that Biffa has brought against Scottish Ministers following their decision to delay the implementation of its Deposit Return Scheme. Please provide the total cost and any breakdowns available of these costs. 2) Whether the Scottish Governmen...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(5)

Published: 2025-01-17
Reference: EIR/202400440024
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Full costs of Deposit Return Scheme court case with Biffa: EIR release

Full costs, plus a breakdown of this, of the Scottish Government's deposit return scheme court case with Biffa.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.39(2)

Published: 2025-01-17
Reference: EIR/202400440418
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Granting of the title of Lord Provost to the Provost of Stirling Council: FOI release

Information held by the Scottish Government in relation to the granting of the title of Lord Provost to the Provost of Stirling Council.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-09
Reference: FOI/202400438978
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector