Scottish Government FOI Index

17,099releases indexed

27,856attachments found

30.0avg calendar days

6,297partially withheld

2020-01-10oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 6,297 unclear 5,710 not held 2,434 released 1,096 already published 565 cost limit 491 clarification 264 withheld 186 transferred 56

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 3926 s.20 3344 s.34(1) 3080 s.39(2) 2635 s.30 2273 s.17(1) 2227 s.25(1) 1918 s.10(4) 1572 s.11(2) 1292 s.2 942 s.29(1) 927 s.3 712

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 1,007 releases · 28.2 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 813 releases · 30.8 avg days Marine Directorate 678 releases · 28.5 avg days Learning Directorate 617 releases · 35.4 avg days Population Health Directorate 557 releases · 29.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 532 releases · 36.5 avg days Economic Development Directorate 516 releases · 40.0 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 513 releases · 29.3 avg days

Clear

21 matching releases

Football-related violence and disorder briefing: FOI release

You asked for copies of any briefings, internal correspondence, or submissions provided to Scottish Ministers or special advisers relating to the banning of Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters in Birmingham, or concerns about antisemitism linked to football policing, from 1 October 2024 to present.

FOI released 95 score 4 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-25
Reference: FOI/202600501466
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Law and order, Public sector

Emails between Scottish Government and GB News: FOI release

All email correspondence between the Scottish Government and GB News from 16 September 2025.

FOI released 100 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-03
Reference: FOI/202500498807
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence with member of Scottish Parliament: FOI release

For the period 2nd October 2025 - date, please provide all correspondence (including by direct messaging application) between Keith Brown MSP and the Scottish Government (including ministers, civil servants, special advisers, or press officers).

FOI released 95 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500488653
Directorate: Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

Date of Programme for Government 2025-26: FOI release

You asked for information on the Programme for Government with the following 4 questions: 1. When was the decision taken to bring forward the Programme for Government 2025-26 to 6th May 2025? 2. When was the Cabinet informed of the above decision? 3. Dates and minutes of all meetings at which the date of the Program...

FOI released 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings

Published: 2025-09-04
Reference: FOI/202500464657
Directorate: Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic: Programme for Government, Public sector

First Minister visit to St Fergus Gas Terminal documentation: EIR release

On 22/7/24 John Swinney MSP, First Minister, and Jack Middleton, Special Adviser met with Storegga Limited to visit the St Fergus gas terminal and undertake press work. Source: https://www.lobbying.scot/SPS/InformationReturn/SearchInformationReturnDetail/56630 https://www.gov.scot/news/fast-tracking-scotlands-energy-...

FOI/EIR released 100 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-07
Reference: EIR/202500459263
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Details of lobbying of Scottish Ministers by UK Finance: FOI release

Information pertaining to the lobbying of Scottish Ministers and MSPs, specifically: A full list of Scottish Ministers and MSPs who have been lobbied by UK Finance in the time period of 2020-2025. For any meetings, please provide minutes covering any agendas, requests, or key topics raised by UK Finance. If minutes ar...

FOI released 100 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-20
Reference: FOI/202500448564
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

E-mails received from Stephen Flynn: FOI release

1. All emails received by Scottish Ministers or their Special Advisers from the email: stephen.flynn.mp@parliament.uk. Please provide any emails received between 6 December 2022 and the present date. 2. Where emails have been received by Scottish Ministers or their Special Advisers from stephen.flynn.mp@parliament.uk ...

FOI released 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers

Published: 2024-09-24
Reference: FOI/202400423927
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Response time statistics for Freedom of Information requests: FOI release

The mean, median and maximum response times for an FOI to the Scottish Government for each month of the last five years. The number and percentage of FOIs that were referred to Special Advisers for each month of the last five years. The mean, median and maximum response times for all FOIs referred to Special Advisers...

FOI/EIR released 100 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-11
Reference: FOI/202400422721
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Special Advisers Termination of Employment: FOI release

Total contractual payments made (where applicable) on termination of employment for special advisers in 2024 in respect of: Accrued but untaken holiday pay unpaid wages Payment received instead of working a notice period, e.g. payment in lieu of notice (PILON)

FOI released 70 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400414780
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Freedom of Information request response times: FOI release

The top 3 slowest FOI responses in each of the last 5 years, including the total length of time it took to respond to each FOI and a short description of the subject of the FOI.

FOI/EIR released 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20

Published: 2024-08-27
Reference: FOI/202400422728
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data request: EIR release

I require all VMS data of vessels that transited through the following area between 15th September 2022 12:00 and 16th September 2022 06:00. P1 60°57.0' N, 002°18.0' W P2 60°57.0' N, 003°48.0' W P3 60°15.0' N, 002°18.0' W P4 60°15.0' N, 003°48.0' W Please provide details of the VMS reports received from vessels du...

FOI/EIR released 100 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-01
Reference: 202300363935
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and Craig Dalzell, Head of Policy and Research at Common Weal Scotland: FOI release

All correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers) and Craig Dalzell, Head of Policy and Research at Common Weal Scotland, from 1st December 2020 - date.

FOI released 95 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers 6 attachments

Published: 2023-12-19
Reference: 202300356466
Directorate: Chief Economist Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence with employees of Energy Action Scotland: EIR release

All Scottish Government correspondence (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers) with employees of Energy Action Scotland, 1st January 2022 - date.

FOI/EIR released 100 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.11(2) s.34(1) 14 attachments

Published: 2023-12-19
Reference: 202300351738
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Special Adviser expenses in past 5 years: FOI release

How many Special Advisers were employed in each of the past five years and what was the total salary cost in each year? What was the total amount claimed in expenses by Special Advisers in each of the past five years broken down by (a) travel, (b) hotel accommodation and (c) food & drink. What was the cost, mode of tra...

FOI released 100 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers contracts spending s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-12
Reference: FOI/202300373199
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Government phones issued to Ministers: FOI release

How many ministers and officials in the Scottish Government have a government issued mobile phone? Please also list all Scottish Government ministers, and officials senior enough to be named, who have a government issued mobile phone. Did the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, or any members of her private office,...

FOI released 100 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-06
Reference: FOI/202300382811
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government ministers and Kevin Pringle: FOI release

You asked for any correspondence between Scottish Government ministers [or Scottish Government special advisers] and the recently appointed head of communications and strategic political adviser, Kevin Pringle, from 30 March 2023 to present.

FOI released 100 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-12
Reference: 202300360953
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children: FOI release

Any communication between the Scottish Government (Ministers, Special Advisers, Learning Directorate staff, Education Reform Directorate staff, Communications staff) and any representatives of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.

FOI released 95 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments

Published: 2022-08-05
Reference: FOI/202200305546
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Number of civil servants and special advisers employed in specific directorates: FOI release

1. How many civil servants and special advisors worked directly in the following Scottish Government directorates in each of the past five financial years to date. For 2020-21 please give the most recent figure at time of response. Please breakdown the figures by number of civil servants and number of special advisors ...

FOI released 100 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2021-02-02
Reference: FOI/202000110675
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding polling by Ipsos Mori/STV News: FOI release

You asked for details on: Any Scottish Government emails from 11-15 October 2020 (inclusive), either internal or external, concerning polling by Ipsos Mori/STV News or news inquiries or news coverage related to this polling. Please also include attachments to these emails. Any briefings or notes provided to Scottish ...

FOI released 100 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-12-04
Reference: FOI/202000098657
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Best Start Foods card: FOI release

Please can you refer me to the information that was used to form the policy for the Best Start Foods card - how the list of eligible food has been determined?

FOI released 75 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.25(1)

Published: 2020-11-25
Reference: FOI/202000099351
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Communities and third sector, Public sector

Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) funding correspondence: FOI release

You asked for all internal Scottish Government correspondence on the subject of or relating to the announcement in the following news release: https://news.gov.scot/news/gbp-60m-for-michelin-scotland-innovation-parc This should include but not be limited to ministers, officials, special advisers and press/comms staff.

FOI released 95 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments

Published: 2020-01-13
Reference: FOI/19/02599
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector