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

Ministers and staff who visited Germany during Euro 2024: FOI release

1. List of all ministers and staff (grade/profession if not SCS) who visited Germany during the Euros 2024. 2. The total cost of these trips (broken down by spend).

FOI partially withheld 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.27(1)

Published: 2024-09-09
Reference: FOI/202400422955
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Budget speech analysis: FOI release

On 27th February 2024, the Deputy First Minster delivered a speech in the Scottish Parliament which included the following excerpt: “And our capital spending power is due to contract by almost 10 per cent in real terms over five years. And that's after factoring in our borrowing powers. All told that's a cut from West...

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

Published: 2024-09-05
Reference: FOI/202400403342
Directorate: Public Spending Directorate
Topic: Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

HS2 remarks made by Chief Economist: FOI release

On 19th February 2024, the Scottish Daily Express published a story on inaccurate remarks about HS2 made by Scottish Government’s Chief Economist, Gary Gillespie, the Scotonomics Festival of Economics in 2023. That story can be found here: https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-government-adviser-fue...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-05
Reference: FOI/202400402645
Directorate: Chief Economist Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector, Transport

Resignation of Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care: FOI release

All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internal correspondence, minutes, notes and briefings held, about the resignation of Michael Matheson between January 15 2024 and the date of this FOI?

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

Published: 2024-09-04
Reference: FOI/202400397967
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Programme for Government, Public sector

Impartiality of the Scottish Government with regards to political messaging: FOI release

All internal discussions on handling this (202400408775) request. This should include any email correspondence relating to it; any Teams messages relating to it; any documents produced which outlined the assessment made of the balance of public interest test; its inclusion in any summaries going to SCS, Special Adviser...

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

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400413226
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Special Advisers work in the general election campaign: FOI release

1. Can you confirm that any work carried out by Special Advisers in pursuit of the SNP’s general election campaign cannot be paid by the Scottish Government, and should be paid by the political party? 2. Please send any communications to Special Advisers or Ministers advising this re this election.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400415543
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the closure of Glasgow Caledonian University Advanced Higher Hub: FOI release

Any communications held by the government regarding the closure of the Advanced Higher Hub. Such communications may include - but are not limited to - proposals for the closure, discussions about the closure, agreement on/authorisation of the closure, confirmation of the closure, opinions on the closure etc This reque...

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

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400395570
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

All correspondence with former Chairman of Wood’s Group UK Ltd: FOI release

All communications between the Scottish Government and Ian Wood, former Wood’s Group Chairman, between May 2023 and October 2023. The above should include email, written, WhatsApp communications between any Scottish Government Ministers, Special Advisers, Civil Servants or more please, as well as records/minutes of an...

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

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400406272
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Freedom of Information (FoI) requests for consideration by Special Advisers: FOI release

1) Since the start of 2024, please provide a list of the FOI's which have been subject to consideration by the FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot email address and/or Special Adviser emails. 2) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot and the FOI Unit since January 1, 2024. 3) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400406282
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Non-crime hate incidents: FOI release

1) Any correspondence including memos, reports, agendas, notes, briefings, or meeting invites, between Police Scotland and senior Scottish Government officials, ministers, and special advisers on the topic of "non-crime hate incidents", since December 1, 2023, to date. 2) In the same time period, any correspondence in...

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

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400407017
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Public sector

Decision Notice 045/2024: FOI release

1) Can you provide me with a list of ministers who received the one-on-one sessions on record keeping as mentioned in the decision notice, and confirm if the First Minister was one of them? 2) Can you confirm when these took place, and who delivered them? 3) Can you confirm if Special Advisers were also trained on th...

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

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400406748
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondences around the Court of Session defeat for Gender Reforms: 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 court of session defeat for gender reforms. This should cover between September 1 2023 and December 31 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.35 s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400407156
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) and Equinor meetings with the Scottish Government: EIR release

Please provide me with any documentation relevant to the following meetings between the Scottish Government and SSE, Equinor in 2022 and 2023. I request copies of attendance, topics discussed and any agreed actions. 1) 15/03/2022 Video conference with SSE, Michael Matheson MSP (Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero Energy an...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.1 s.2 s.6 s.7 s.11 s.12 s.13 s.14 s.15 s.17 s.18 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.5 s.9 s.16 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-29
Reference: EIR/202400396587
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

All correspondence between special advisers, civil servants involved in preparing the original response to the FOI 202300372279: FOI release

All correspondence between special advisers, civil servants, officials and anyone involved in preparing the original response to the FOI request ref: 202300372279.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300383140
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Scottish Government correspondence with Keep Scotland Beautiful: EIR release

You asked for all Scottish Government correspondence (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers) with employees of Keep Scotland Beautiful, 1st January 2022 - date.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: EIR/202300379312
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Data Roaming costs incurred by Former Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care of Scotland: FOI release

“Please provide details of all communication Scottish Government officials, special advisers and ministers had with Police Scotland about the data roaming costs incurred by Health Secretary Michael Matheson on a December 2022/January 2023 trip to Morocco, including discussions around police complaints, in the period fr...

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

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300385206
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence relating to previous EIRs 202300356373 & 202300380216: EIR release

Please provide copies of all internal Scottish Government email correspondence (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers) discussing the responses to these two previous FOI requests: FOI/202300356373 FOI/202300380216

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: EIR/202300387840
Directorate: Chief Economist Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Former First Minister climate week correspondence: EIR Release

All correspondence received and sent by Humza Yousaf, his office and his advisers regarding his appearance at Climate Week in NYC between June 1 2023 and August 31 2023.

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

Published: 2024-08-14
Reference: EIR/202300377500
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Project Chestnut correspondence: FOI release

Any correspondence on Project Chestnut since January 1, 2023, to date among Senior Civil Servants, Special Advisers or Ministers.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 61 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-08-14
Reference: FOI/202300372636
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Salaries and number of ministers, special advisors and civil servants in 2003, 2013 and 2023: FOI release

For each of the years 2003, 2013 and 2023 can you provide please the following information: 1. The total number of Ministers in post at The Scottish Government/The Scottish Executive. 2. The total salaries for these Ministers for the year in question. 3. The total number of civil servants dedicated to the Private Of...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.4 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.27(1)

Published: 2024-08-01
Reference: FOI/202400421758
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public Sector

UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) funding: FOI release

You asked for all correspondence between the First Minister and his special advisers and Scottish Government communications staff about the issue of UNRWA funding in January 2024.

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

Published: 2024-07-09
Reference: FOI/202400395825
Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Stage 1 deadline for the Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council Bill: FOI release

Under FOISA, I am looking for internal communications dated since 1 December 2023, including messages and briefings notes to managers and Ministers, or between officials, including to or from the Minister for Parliamentary Business, relating to the timetabling of the deadline of stage 1 of the Scottish Employment Injur...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.30 s.38(1) s.27 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-05-20
Reference: FOI/202400395435
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Stone of Destiny: FOI release

“Q) This month (Jan), Scottish Cabinet papers from 2008 disclosed that Alex Salmond was given a fragment of the Stone of Destiny / Stone of Scone by Prof Sir Neil MacCormick in 2008. Minutes dated Sept 16, 2008, said: "The First Minister said that he had met with Professor Sir Neil MacCormick who had presented him wit...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-05-10
Reference: FOI/202400391875
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Register of interests for Special Advisers: FOI release

A copy of the most up-to-date register of interests for Special Advisers.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 15 working days correspondence special advisers 2 attachments

Published: 2024-05-09
Reference: FOI/202300386626
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Email correspondence between Scottish government ministers or special advisers and Sir Brian Souter: FOI release

(1) Email correspondence between Scottish government ministers or special advisers and Sir Brian Souter, or anyone on his behalf, since June 2023. (2) The minutes of any meetings between Scottish government ministers or special advisers and Sir Brian Souter since June 2023.

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

Published: 2024-05-09
Reference: FOI/202300385453
Directorate
Topic: Public sector