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

774 matching releases

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

Internal correspondence on alleged SNP sex scandal, Gender reform and James Hamilton court of session defeat: FOI release

All internal correspondence from within the Scottish Government about the alleged SNP sex scandal detailed here: https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/two-snp-politicians-seedyextramarital- 31546577 - Can this include responses to any media inquiries as well? Any correspondence between special advisers, ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) s.12 s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-07-25
Reference: FOI/202300391381
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: 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

Scottish Government spend on photography and stationery: FOI release

1. How much has the Scottish government spent on photography so far this year up to the date ofthis Foi? And a breakdown of what the money was spent on. Could you also supply the photography bill for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the breakdown of what the money was spent on? 2 . How much money has the Scottish Govern...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.5 s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2024-05-20
Reference: FOI/202300373362
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: 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

Civil servant wages: FOI release

1. How much is the Scottish Government spending on wages of civil servants now, and in each of the following years: 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022? Breakdown of these costs and how many there are employed? 2. How much is the Scottish Government spending on special advisers and press officers now, including how many of each...

FOI already published 55 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.25(1) s.27(1) s.17(1) s.12 s.30

Published: 2024-04-18
Reference: FOI/202300389550
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Civil servants employed in Speech Writing team by Scottish Government: FOI release

1. Please provide details of the number of civil servants employed in the ‘Speech Writing’ team of the Scottish Government, employed to prepare speeches and assistance related to speech-writing for Scottish Ministers. Please include details of Job Titles and Pay Grades in this information. 2. Please provide informati...

FOI not held 45 score 13 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.17(1) s.30

Published: 2024-04-17
Reference: FOI/202400403383
Directorate: Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Residence of Scottish Government Special Advisors: FOI release

1. The number of current Scottish Government Special Advisors who have their permanent residence outside of Scotland. 2. The number of current Scottish Government Special Advisors who have undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from non-Scottish Universities, broken down into a table, and listing the universities in q...

FOI unclear 55 score 11 working days correspondence special advisers s.17(1)

Published: 2024-04-15
Reference: FOI/202400403406
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Scottish Government staff associated with Ministers: FOI release

"The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles, not names of individuals) for all of the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-03-28
Reference: FOI/202400392767
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Programme for government/FM and perm sec: FOI Review

All correspondence between the permanent secretary and/or his office and the first minister and/or his private office or special advisers relating to the 2023 programme for government. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include all emails or other electronic communications of any other kind (WhatsApp, Teams, Signa...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.33(2) s.38(1)

Published: 2024-03-18
Reference: FOI/202400401266
Directorate: Strategy Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Car Miles Reduction Strategy: EIR release

A copy of any documents or research setting out possible actions to fulfil the Scottish Government's commitment to a 20% reduction in car kilometres by 2030. A copy of emails between ministers and advisers over the past six months discussing the commitment to a 20% reduction in car kilometres by 2030.

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-14
Reference: FOI/202300379253
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Analysis on scrapping of the two-child cap: FOI release

I refer to FOI 202300379478 on the scrapping of the two-child cap. I would like to see any discussion or analysis relating to the drafts and final reply to this FOI.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-14
Reference: FOI/202300382618
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Correspondence relating to council tax freezes: FOI release

On the 18th October 2023, the Finance Minister Shona Robison made the claim that the decision to freeze Council Tax rates was made less than 48 hours before Humza Yousaf’s announcement and that the decision was made without following the normal consultation and communication methods. I would like to make a Freedom of I...

FOI not held 70 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.12 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17 6 attachments

Published: 2024-03-12
Reference: FOI/202300381631
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Meetings to discuss impact of Storm Babet: EIR release

Please can you help with the following. Regarding the Scottish Government's level of preparedness for Storm Babet on Thursday October 19 and 20. Did any resilience function of the Scottish Government, for example SGoRR, meet to consider the impact of Babet following the issue of a red weather warning for the east coas...

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 10 working days correspondence special advisers meetings s.11(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-12
Reference: FOI/202300383476
Directorate: Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Establishment of the Centre for Teaching Excellence: FOI release

Please accept our apologies for the delay in responding to your request. You asked for a range of information relating to the recent announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills of a Centre for Teaching Excellence, including: consideration of the policy, decisionmaking, engagement/consultation, costi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-06
Reference: FOI/202300381669
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Amount of records destroyed in accordance with Record Management Policy from 2019 - date: FOI release

How many records the Scottish Government have destroyed in accordance with Record Management Policy in 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and so far in 2023-24. Please detail whether these records included emails, WhatsApps, minutes of Scottish Government meetings etc and any other information that is recorded about th...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.3 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-05
Reference: FOI/202300384324
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Use of Bute House for interviews by the First Ministers wife: FOI release

Can you confirm what the rules are in regards to the first ministers wife, who is not a member of the government, using the taxpayer funded bute house address to film media interviews with the BBC today? Can you also share the rules on the first minister taking his family to government work events (children and wife) w...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-27
Reference: FOI/202300380502
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Red Rock Power lobbying: FOI review

You asked for a review of our failure to respond to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for information relating to Red Rock Power Lobbying. You originally asked for: On 21.12.2021 representatives of Red Rock Power met with Michael Matheson. Please could you supply me with all r...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 58 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.33(1) s.17(1) 12 attachments

Published: 2024-02-27
Reference: FOI/202200292255 Review of 202200278074
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Special Advisors employed by Scottish Government: FOI release

How many special advisers does the Scottish Government currently employ, broken down by (a) portfolio, (b) job tile, and (c) pay grade?

FOI unclear 55 score 8 working days correspondence special advisers s.25(1)

Published: 2024-02-27
Reference: FOI/202400392620
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

First Minister’s Christmas Media Reception: FOI release

Regarding the First Minister’s Christmas Media Reception, held at Bute House last night 14/12/23: A number of civil servants could be overheard discussing being "asked to go and buy booze at the last minute". Was alcohol or "booze" always going to be served at the Christmas Media Reception? If not, when was it decid...

FOI not held 45 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.17(1) s.7 s.10 s.4 s.27(1) s.17

Published: 2024-02-23
Reference: FOI/202300389912
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Jason Leitch WhatsApp messages: FOI release

Correspondence on the topic of how to respond to a media enquiry from The Times newspaper about Jason Leitch deleting his WhatsApp messages each day and any resulting follow-up enquiry by other journalists or publications. This should include, but not be limited to, discussions between civil servants, special advisers,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.30 s.38 s.36 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-20
Reference: FOI/202400394859
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 5 auction 2: EIR release

All correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers) and representatives from industry or academia, which mentions the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 5 auction, from 1st September 2022 - date.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.11 s.10(5) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-19
Reference: FOI/202300375390
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector