Scottish Government FOI Index

22,922releases indexed

40,952attachments found

29.5avg calendar days

8,507partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-11-04newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,507 unclear 7,460 not held 3,292 released 1,599 already published 716 cost limit 637 clarification 377 withheld 251 transferred 83

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5225 s.20 4485 s.34(1) 3789 s.39(2) 3640 s.30 3038 s.17(1) 2981 s.25(1) 2557 s.10(4) 2089 s.11(2) 1639 s.29(1) 1249 s.2 1245 s.3 980

Timeline

2026-11 48 2026-10 227 2026-09 8 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,336 releases · 27.8 avg days Marine Directorate 991 releases · 29.7 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 972 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 741 releases · 39.6 avg days Constitution Directorate 710 releases · 35.8 avg days Population Health Directorate 678 releases · 28.6 avg days People Directorate 667 releases · 25.5 avg days

Clear

22,922 matching releases

New Highland Prison spend: FOI release

How much money to date has been spent on the construction of the new HMP Highland Prison in Inverness.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500458979
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Studies to improve data collection on quality of Scottish rental properties: FOI Review

Original request 202500458786 Information pertaining to the Scottish Landlord Register. Has any group or individual Civil Servant been tasked with studying how there could be more robust data collection on the quality of rental properties in Scotland? Can the recommendations or preliminary work done by Civil Servants...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.21(4) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500458787 Review of 202500458786
Directorate: Tackling Child Poverty and Social Justice Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Housing, Public sector

Scottish Government employee sickness absence data: FOI release

1. For each year of 2017, 2018 and 2019, the average sickness absence rate for all Scottish Government employees, including the headcount of employees for each year. 2. For the same years, the headcount of employees who were required to work in government offices and the average sickness absence rate for that cohort. ...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500458618
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Microsoft Cloud service processing queries: FOI release

Any information, documentation, contract clause change or emails, etc. that you have received in the past two years which identify any countries where Microsoft can or actually do process any data you have uploaded to the following services: 1 - Any service operated by or on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform by any o...

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500461518
Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Wind farm public inquiry information: EIR release

I am writing in reference to the response provided to my recent Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs) request (Case reference: 202500451517) concerning data on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) developments and renewable energy projects in the Scottish Borders and the Ettrick, Roxburgh and Be...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.36 s.37 s.62 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: EIR/202500456071
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, 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

Exploration for oil and gas and low-carbon jobs correspondence: EIR release

You have asked for a range of information across multiple parts. This response covers the following parts of your request: 1) All correspondence between Ministers, Special Advisers and Officials relating to the policy proposal for a presumption against new exploration for oil and gas in the Scottish Government’s Draft...

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

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: EIR/202500458970
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

The Edinburgh Agreement negotiations: FOI release

Could you give me a full list of all those involved in the Edinburgh Agreement negotiations from the Scottish Government side and the dates of when they were involved?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500465520
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Place Based Investment Programme: FOI release

You asked for information concerning the Place Based Investment Programme, specifically: Has Fife Council been awarded funds for the "gap site/city square, High Street, Dunfermline? If so, does the grant/fund carry specific conditions? I.E. what it can be used for. When did Fife Council receive the funding? Do the fun...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence contracts

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500468356
Directorate: Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Communities and third sector, Public sector

Statistics on Scottish Government employees who have accessed specific AI website: FOI release

I would like to ask the following: 1. Has the Scottish Government made any record of how many Scottish Government employees have access the following website: ‘https://openai.com/’ 2. If possible, could this be broken down by job title and paygrade?

FOI cost limit 40 score 20 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500465495
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Meetings on removal of two child benefit cap: FOI release

1. The number of Scottish Government meetings attended by First Minister that were held regarding the removal of two child benefit cap in September 2024, October 2024 and November 2024 2. The number of Scottish Government meetings attended by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice that were held regarding the remova...

FOI unclear 50 score 14 working days correspondence ministers meetings

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500467617
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

ScotRail tickets purchased by Scottish Government: FOI release

How many first class ScotRail train tickets the Scottish Government has bought this 2007? How much money the Scottish Government has spent on first class ScotRail train tickets since 2007?

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500466785
Directorate: Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Scottish Government wage structure for specific job title: FOI release

1. As of the end of each financial year from 2018-19 to 2023-24, the median, mean, standard deviation, 25th percentile, 75th percentile, and 90th percentile wages of Scottish Government employees whose job title field contains “Head of”. 2. As of the end of each financial year from 2018-19 to 2023-24, the median, mean...

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500459053
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Business Managers employed by the Scottish Government: FOI release

Under the Freedom on information, I am looking to find out how many business managers the Scottish Government has, and how much is spent on these managers per year?

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500458737
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Cost approval for Barlinnie Prison: FOI release

Details of any value-for-money test undertaken prior to ministers approving the contract for the new Barlinnie prison.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.33(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500458592
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Stobo Woodland Creation scheme: EIR release

1. All communication between Scottish Forestry and the Rural Payments Inspectorate Directorate concerning the site from 28 October 2024 up to the present day. 2. As a claim for payment was made on 15 May 2024 and the standard security was in place 4 July 2024, why was no payment made to the Forestry Carbon Sequestrati...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.6(1) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.9 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500453790
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Salary Bands within Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS): FOI release

Information of FTE salaries within SAAS (excluding NICs, Pension contributions, etc.) starting at £50k per year, and broken down by £5k bands, i.e. £50,000-£55,000, £55,000-£60,000, £60,000-£65,000, etc. for the 2023/24 Financial Year. 1. A breakdown of the number of Student Awards Agency Scotland employees grouped by...

FOI unclear 50 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500457728
Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Ministerial correspondence, staffing and budget statement for the Offshore Wind Hub in Aberdeen: EIR release

1. All correspondence between Ministers, Special Advisers and Officials relating to the Scottish Government’s proposal to create an Offshore Wind Hub in Aberdeen as announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Local Government in the Scottish Government’s 2025/26 Budget Statement on 4 December 2024. 2. How many st...

FOI/EIR withheld 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.2

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500458971
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Scottish Government spend on legal fees and court cases: FOI release

The total amount spent on legal fees and court cases over the last five years (2019-20 to 2023-24), and ten years (2014-15-2023-24), broken down by year, as well as a description of the costs (i.e. court case – independence referendum at Supreme Court).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500458502
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Law and order, 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

Loan from the sale of Lundin Links Hotel: FOI release

Information in relation to the Lundin Links Hotel site: 1. Now that the site has been sold, has the loan from the Scottish Government been repaid? If so, has it been repaid in full? 2. How much did the loan from the Scottish Government cost the taxpayer?

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500459917
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Annual subsidies of the Gourock to Dunoon route: FOI release

All information held by Transport Scotland which identifies the impact on annual subsidies on the Gourock to Dunoon route following the recent Ministerial announcement re the removal of three return sailings and the cost of Stantec’s CNA Report on the Gourock to Dunoon route.

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2025-07-07
Reference: FOI/202500461013
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Business rates relief for hospitality business information: FOI release

All external correspondence, minutes/notes from meetings, and briefings held about business rates relief for hospitality businesses, between December 1 2024 and December 15 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-07
Reference: FOI/202500457524
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Code of Practice for Litter and Refuse notifications on Scottish Trunk Road network: EIR release

In Schedule 7 Part 1 of the 4th Generation Term Contract for management and maintenance of the Scottish Trunk Road network, Para 4.34.8 requires -"The Operating Company to notify the local authority in writing, with a copy to the Director, if the standard of cleanliness falls below that required by the Code of Practice...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 5 working days correspondence contracts s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-07
Reference: EIR/202500461021
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Project Willow correspondence and information: EIR release

1. All correspondence (including emails, WhatsApps, meeting minutes, etc.) involving the Scottish Government regarding Project Willow and the Project Willow report. 2. All correspondence (including emails, WhatsApps, meeting minutes, etc.) involving the Grangemouth Future Industry Board regarding Project Willow and th...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-07
Reference: EIR/202500457610
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector