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

1,024 matching releases

Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a Woman: FOI release

The total costs incurred by The Scottish Government in relation to other development, promotion, and subsequent defence of policies or legal positions involving the definition of the term ‘women’ - particularly where it concerns the gender identity alongside, or in place of biological sex. Please include: 1. Legal co...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2025-07-21
Reference: FOI/202500462238
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, 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

Documentation and correspondence on Visitor Levy: FOI release

FIRST All documents relating to the question and view taken by the Scottish Government as to whether the Visitor Levy as proposed to be raised and collected by Local Councils, under the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act 2024 is taxable income in the hands of the business subject to the levy, (namely the “accommodation provi...

FOI not held 70 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts spending s.36(1) s.3(2) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-09
Reference: FOI/202500456480
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, 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

Scotrail and Clarus/Starlink contract information: FOI release

1. A rationale, including any specific legal reason, why it is not possible to disinvest from the Clarus/Starlink contract. 2. Copies of any correspondence (or minutes of any meeting) where Ministers may have instructed officials to investigate disinvesting from the Clarus/Starlink contract. 3. Copies of any briefing...

FOI not held 40 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts

Published: 2025-07-02
Reference: FOI/202500456300
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Student Awards Agency Scotland recruitment policy and procedure: FOI release

Do you have a recruitment policy which relates to permanent and short term contracts for those employed by SAS? Specifically, how are positions advertised, who oversees the recruitment process and how are candidates assessed? Are family members of senior management, including Board members, prohibited from employment ...

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence contracts s.17(1)

Published: 2025-06-30
Reference: FOI/202500457723
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, 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

Safe Access Zones Team information and correspondence: FOI release

Information in relation to your previous FOI request 202500452918 concerning items from the Safe Access Zones Team shared erdm files and subsequent e-mail and correspondence.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.29 s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-06-26
Reference: FOI/202500457138
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) meetings and documentation: EIR release

1. How many meetings has WICS had with the Scottish Government in the last three months, and could you supply minutes/notes from these meetings? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government about the WICS chairman Donald MacRae resigning, including correspondence (including internal), minutes/...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-06-26
Reference: EIR/202500457097
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, 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

National Care Service Bill documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received, minutes/notes from meetings, internal correspondence, briefings and analysis regarding the decision to axe part one of the National Care Service bill, between December 15 2024 and January 23 2025.

FOI already published 80 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.36 2 attachments

Published: 2025-06-18
Reference: FOI/202500455144
Directorate: Social Care and National Care Service Development
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Enforcement of mask-wearing in schools: FOI release

1. Definitive documentation that grants Scottish regional councils the authority to enforce mask-wearing in schools without parental or child consent. 2. Details on how this authority was established, including any legal or statutory basis, and how such authority aligns with or circumvents human rights obligations. 3...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence s.3

Published: 2025-06-10
Reference: FOI/202500456359
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Education, Health and social care, 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

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

Footnote 5.2 of the 2024 Ministerial Code queries: FOI Review

Original request 202400445734 1) Who was the author/who suggested to the FM to include footnote 5.2 "Information provided to the Independent Advisers for the purposes of their functions is provided in confidence."? within the 2024 ministerial code? 2) Any and all communications (minutes, whatsapps, emails, anything) ...

FOI not held 70 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-05-08
Reference: FOI/202500449679 Review of 202400445734
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information about the NHS Scotland Workforce: Gender Transitioning Guide: FOI release

1. Please state when work on developing the draft (Gender Transitioning) Guide began (month/year). 2. Please state when the draft Guide was first distributed to Health Boards for consultation (month/year). 3. Please state which organisations have been consulted on the draft Guide, or asked to comment in any way. This...

FOI withheld 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.17

Published: 2025-05-08
Reference: FOI/202500455189
Directorate: Health Workforce Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill: FOI release

You asked for: all briefings written for the Scottish Government and correspondence sent to and from the government and all minutes/notes about the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill, between February 1 2025 and the date of this FOI.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-04-24
Reference: FOI/202500454143
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Stobo woodland creation scheme information: EIR Review

Original request 202400439411 In respect of the Stobo woodland creation scheme (23FGS74574), located in the South Scotland conservancy. Please could Scottish Forestry provide information in respect of the following: 1. The identities of entities and/or individuals who have invested in the Forestry Carbon Sequestrati...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.10(4) s.10(5) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-04-16
Reference: EIR/202500453779 Review of 202400439411
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector