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

Scottish Governments Gold Command meetings minutes which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic: FOI release

The Scottish Government’s Gold Command meetings minutes which took place during the Covid-19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 80 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.26 s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-05-09
Reference: FOI/202400394258
Directorate: Strategy Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Amount spent on Morton Fraser MacRoberts services: FOI release

Total amount spent by the Scottish Government on services from Morton Fraser MacRoberts with regards to services provided to: 1. Professor Sir Gregor Smith 2. Jeane Freeman 3. Dr Jason Leitch 4. Ken Thomson 5. Dr Audrey MacDougall Please provide costings since 1 July 2023.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending

Published: 2024-04-23
Reference: FOI/202400401951
Directorate: Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Monitoring fish landings by EU boats in Scottish Ports: EIR release

Could you let me know if you are monitoring overlanded fish landings by EU boats in Scottish Ports? If you are not? Then why Not?

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence s.9

Published: 2024-04-18
Reference: EIR/202400396433
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Justice reforms: FOI release

How many meetings has the government held with representatives or experts of other countries about the age of criminal responsibility between January 2023 and the date of this FOI? List of all these meetings and any minutes/notes held from them. Full costs to the Scottish Government of running the Scottish Advisory Pan...

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-04-17
Reference: FOI/202300379031
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

A9 dualling project meeting and correspondence: EIR release

Details of email correspondence and notes from meetings held over the last year between officials of Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government in relation to discussions of the A9 dualling project. On 15 November 2023 you confirmed the timeframe of information requested was from 1 January 2023 to 14 November 2023...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(5) s.10(4) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-04-17
Reference: FOI/202300385118
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Management of Transgender People in Custody policy: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence and meeting details between Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service in relation to the most recent version of the Management of Transgender People in Custody policy (2023). Please also provide any correspondence and meeting details the Scottish government has had with Engen...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.25(1) s.27(1) s.29(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-04-16
Reference: FOI/202300389198
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Minimum Pricing and UK Internal Market Act 2020: FOI release

1. Please publish the terms of legal advice provided to the Scottish Government as to whether it is required to seek an exemption from the 2020 Act (a) in general terms, and (b) prior to the Scottish Parliament voting for the Order which is to be laid on 19 Feb 2024. 2. Has the Scottish Government already sought an ex...

FOI not held 45 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.36(1)

Published: 2024-04-16
Reference: FOI/202400398823
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

State Pension Payments: FOI release

Since 5th May 2011, has the Scottish Government ever sought legal advice on who would be legally responsible for paying the state pension in an independent Scotland? In other words: has advice been sought on the question of whether a continuing UK Government would have a legal obligation to pay the state pension to peo...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2024-04-08
Reference: FOI/202400403372
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Building a new Scotland, Public sector

Temporary Legal Staff Framework correspondence: FOI release

Questions Relating to Tender Process 1.1. Please provide us with all correspondence which Scottish Ministers received from or sent to any tenderer relating to what fees, costs, prices or other charges should be included in Schedule 2. 1.2. Do the Scottish Ministers have any indication of what fees costs, prices or ot...

FOI clarification 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings contracts spending s.1 s.72 s.17 s.38(1) 8 attachments

Published: 2024-03-21
Reference: FOI/202400396440
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence on Legislative Consent Motion for Electronic Trade Documents Bill: FOI release

"I understand that the Scottish Government recommended that the Scottish Parliament pass a Legislative Consent Motion for the UK Parliament to make the Electronic Trade Documents Act extend to Scotland. Can you please supply all internal correspondence, memos, minutes of meetings and advice given in reaching this deci...

FOI already published 80 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.36(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2024-03-20
Reference: FOI/202300387684
Directorate: International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Information pertaining to WhatsApp messages: FOI Appeal

Request 1: I am writing to you to request the following information. For the month of August 2021, any WhatsApp messages or text messages sent or received by any government minister on government business. Request 2: I am writing to you to request the following information. For the entire month of March, 2021 (inc...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 88 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.17 s.26 s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.19 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-15
Reference: FOI Appeal of 202100255908 / 202100255912
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Veterinary exemptions with respect to sea lice reporting: EIR release

Information relating to Veterinary exemptions with respect to sea lice reporting and the requirements for salmonid aquaculture sites to report weekly sea lice numbers in accordance with The Fish Farming Businesses (Reporting) (Scotland) order 2020. Your request had a timescale of 1 January 2021 to 21 September 2022. Th...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 20 working days correspondence meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.5 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-13
Reference: 202200321211
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Minister for Energy and Environment briefing notes for Rural Affairs and Islands Committee meeting: EIR release

All briefing notes that were provided to Gillian Martin, Minister and the Environment, before she appeared before Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on 1 November 2023.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-04
Reference: FOI/202300383426
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Cost of legal actions incurred regarding investigation into Former First Minister: FOI release

Can I request the total cost of all the Scottish Government legal action regarding the FOI request to see evidence submitted by SG to James Hamilton’s investigation into Nicola Sturgeon? Can you give a breakdown of how this cost was incurred?

FOI unclear 50 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2024-02-28
Reference: FOI/202300388343
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Legal advice on Land Reform Bill: FOI release

Could you confirm whether legal advice has been given to Scottish Government ministers in relation to the forthcoming Land Reform Bill? Could you confirm whether legal advice has been given to Scottish Government ministers in relation to the specific matter of a presumed limit of land ownership, in relation to either t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-28
Reference: FOI/202300377901
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Lost fishing pots in Scotland's waters: EIR release

“I am hoping the Marine Scotland can provide me with the number of lost fishing pots in Scotland's waters for the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023”?

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence s.12 s.9

Published: 2024-02-22
Reference: EIR/202400392508
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, 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

Correspondence regarding Trans Inclusion Guidance: FOI release

All written communications, and dates and minutes/notes from meetings that mention Scottish Government guidance related to ensuring policy makers and service providers being able to collectively realise trans and women's rights. You also asked for any draft copies of this guidance, and any communication regarding the ...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence meetings s.25(1) s.38 s.29 s.36 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-20
Reference: FOI/202300377504
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

National Clinical Director WhatsApp messages: FOI release

All internal communications, including emails and informal electronic communications, which relate to the gathering of information in relation to this denial, the formulation of the denial and the signing off of the denial ("It is not correct to suggest that the National Clinical Director deleted every WhatsApp message...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.30 s.38 s.36 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-20
Reference: FOI/202400394753
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Exam appeals in 2022: FOI release

Regarding the 2022 exam appeals, all briefings and analysis held by the government. This may include, but is not necessarily limited to, ministerial briefing papers, options papers, documents discussing appeal outcomes / public response etc. The time frame for this request is 1 January 2022 to the present.

FOI already published 80 score 141 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-15
Reference: 202200328849
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government legal case costs: FOI release

In reference to the court case known as The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23) what were the Scottish Governments legal costs associated with defending this case which they lost?

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2024-02-15
Reference: FOI/202300388330
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Court of Session costs: FOI release

The total cost of the Scottish Government’s decision to appeal the FOI commissioners ruling to the Court of Session. Please include all related court/lawyers fees, all money spent on the process to appeal. Please give me a clear breakdown of the costs. (who paid for what etc).

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2024-02-15
Reference: FOI/202300390967
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Information Commissioner court case expense: FOI release

Could you provide the full cost of fighting the court case against the Information Commissioner over the James Hamilton report, with the case calling on December 6? Could you provide the full breakdown of costs?

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending

Published: 2024-02-15
Reference: FOI/202300388404
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Trusts and Succession Scotland Bill 2023: FOI release

1) All correspondence, sent and received, between the Scottish Government and representatives of HM the Queen and/or HM the King, including the monarch's legal representatives, regarding the Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Bill 2023 and the application of crown consent to that bill in line with rule 9.11 of standing o...

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.25(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.41 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-14
Reference: FOI/202300391150
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Various questions regarding COVID-19: FoI release

1. How many of Humza Yousaf's cabinet use their personal emails for government business? List of who does. 2. What was the final outcome of Ruth Charteris investigating into missing WhatsApps as referenced here: https://news.sky.com/story/scotlands-first-minister-humza-yousaf-to-fully-investigate-concerns-messages-not-...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending whatsapp s.2 s.17(1) s.3 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-09
Reference: FOI/202400392573
Directorate: Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public safety and emergencies, +1 more … Public sector