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

Materials and communications related to funding made available to local authorities: FOI release

All materials relating to, regarding, discussing or referring to the £186.5m made available to local authorities, announced in a joint statement from COSLA and the Scottish Government on December 10. All communications between the Scottish Government, government officials, or officers and individual local authorities r...

FOI clarification 80 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-04-10
Reference: FOI/202500449645
Directorate: Learning 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

Gender Recognition Reform Bill costs: FOI release

(a) Since 1 November 2023, what is the total cost to the Scottish Government of any work or legal advice relating to the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill? (If possible, could you break down any costs). (b) Could you share any correspondence: to the UK Government from the First Minister or Kaukab Stewart, rela...

FOI transferred 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.35 s.27(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500452867
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Legal advice given to the Scottish Government/ministers in reference to The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

Within the legal advice published by the Scottish Government on the 26th of October 2024, in response to FOI 202400394394, on page 69 the following passage exists: "Thus REDACTED, request that Mr Hamilton be permitted to engage independent legal advice and charge the costs to the Scottish Government was set out in an ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 36 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.12 s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400438168
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Legal advice given to the Scottish Government/ministers in reference to The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI Review

Original request - 202300390057 All legal advice given to the Scottish Government/ministers in reference to the court case known as The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23). This includes legal advice given in relation to the decision to appeal, as well as advice i...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.21(4) s.60 s.12

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400445371 review of 202300390057
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, 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

Queries regarding access to secretariat members email accounts: FOI Review

Original request 202400444352 In the court of session ruling from case XA10/23, the court ruling states: "In this connection it is notable that in their written submissions the Ministers accept that they (or their officials) could gain access to the information. They acknowledge that some of the email accounts of sec...

FOI withheld 80 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.21(4) s.38(1) s.36(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500449874 Review of 202400444352
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Legal advice in response to Scottish Information Commissioner’s decision 193/2024: FOI release

In regards to FOI 202400445520, the following passage exists within the information released: "For information at this stage, I am attaching a copy of all the legal advice that we will release in response to the Scottish Information Commissioner’s recent decision 193/2024. There are 25 separate documents (named A-Y), ...

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500448605
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

Information pertaining to Scottish Information Commissioner decision 004/2023: FOI release

In relation to the legal advice released by the Scottish Government in October 2024 in relation SIC decision notice 004/2023 and the court case XA10/23. The following passages exist: "It shows that Ministers failed to convey accurately the true position when making submissions to the Commissioner" and "Scottish Minist...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.3 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452221
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: 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

Access to Information Rights in Scotland: FOI release

You set your request in context by referencing the Scottish Government’s response to the Access to Information Rights in Scotland consultation: Access to Information Rights in Scotland Response to analysis of consultation responses published in November 2023, noting the following commitments made by the Scottish Govern...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.4 s.6 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.36(1) s.29(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-18
Reference: FOI/202500450915
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence pertaining to "The Rural Development (Continuation of Operation) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2024": FOI Review

Original request 202400445448 Correspondence pertaining to "The Rural Development (Continuation of Operation) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2024".

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.20 s.21(4) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-13
Reference: FOI/202500450636 Review of 202400445448
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, 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

Poseidon Report queries: EIR release

Copy of the Poseidon Report (PR) dated early December 2024. Covering correspondence submitted along with the report. Notes of any meetings, exchanges, and correspondence between Scottish Government Officials and SFO, SFPO, SPFA about the PR or economic link from the date of receiving the PR. Scottish Government formal ...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-04
Reference: EIR/202500448207
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Visitor Levy Act queries: FOI release

Please provide the specific reason used by the Scottish Government to decide that the visitor levy would be treated as part of the accommodation provider’s turnover. Please provide the specific reason provided to HMRC by the Scottish Government for treating the visitor levy as part of the accommodation provider’s turn...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.3 s.5 s.17(1) s.36(1) s.3(2)

Published: 2025-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500449922
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, 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

Scottish Government Records Management Plan details: FOI release

The current Scottish Government records management plan/retention system for ministerial decisions and any changes which have been made in the last three years, including specifically what changes were made.

FOI unclear 50 score 1 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending

Published: 2025-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500451286
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information request queries: FOI release

1. In case the Scottish Government does not currently have resources to answer all of the questions to a Freedom of Information request, what questions does the Scottish Government select from the request? Will the questions be answered in order, or will only the easiest questions be answered, or anything else? 2. How...

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence briefings s.14 s.60 s.20

Published: 2025-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500447643
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, 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