Scottish Government FOI Index

21,863releases indexed

39,476attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

8,112partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-05-20newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,112 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4931 s.20 4280 s.34(1) 3589 s.39(2) 3481 s.30 2878 s.17(1) 2774 s.25(1) 2381 s.10(4) 1987 s.11(2) 1571 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1158 s.3 908

Timeline

2026-05 410 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 1,279 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 967 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 923 releases · 31.0 avg days Learning Directorate 861 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 729 releases · 39.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 633 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

1,032 matching releases

Legal action and costs: FOI release

1) The total spend, broken down by financial or calendar year, on external legal advice since April 1, 2020. (I.e. 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 to date) 1a) Please break this down by the list of associated cases or disputes, and their individual cost. 1b) If possible, please provide the final settlement or damages or othe...

FOI unclear 75 score 16 working days correspondence contracts spending 2 attachments

Published: 2023-02-15
Reference: FOI/202200332628
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Angus Robertson's meetings: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to the following meetings: 1a) Angus Robertson's meeting with Simon...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-02-13
Reference: FOI/202300338470
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Chief Transformation Officer and Liberty Steel Dalzell Limited: FOI release

Any minutes, memos, notes, emails, agendas, or attachments and correspondence on the topic of, or originating following the meetings between officials and Jeff Kabel, chief transformation officer and Liberty Steel Dalzell Limited.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 162 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.33(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-02-08
Reference: FOI/202200307641
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Public sector

The potential impact on Scots from the cost-of-living crisis: FOI release

Any reports, briefings, presentations, or other documents or information such as polling and analysis, on the potential impact on Scots from the cost-of-living crisis, received by the deputy first minister in May, June and July 2022'. Following correspondence with yourself, the request was changed to 'Any reports, brie...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 56 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.25(1) s.29(1) s.27 s.27(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-02-08
Reference: FOI/202200331389
Directorate: Tackling Child Poverty and Social Justice Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Fundamental rights to air weapon owners: FOI release

A copy of the evaluation of interaction between the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 and article 17 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, prior to the 2015 legislation's implementation.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.36(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-02-08
Reference: FOI/202300337177
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland costs and Ministerial Papers: FOI release

A breakdown of the costs associated with organising and conducting Citizens assemblies in Scotland; any papers provided to Mike Russell MSP, Angus Robertson, George Adam MSP or any other relevant Minister regarding Citizens Assemblies and; any briefings, minutes, pre agenda papers, policy papers, notes, emails etc. rel...

FOI cost limit 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.35(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.12 2 attachments

Published: 2023-02-06
Reference: FOI/202200334314
Directorate: Public Service Reform Directorate
Topic: Programme for Government, Public sector

EPS licences: EIR release

Question 1: What peer-reviewed evidence have MS used to determine that cetaceans are evenly distributed? Question 2: Do MS agree that the model can only be used to determine the probability that cetaceans will be disturbed by each ADD at any one moment in time? If MS do not agree, please give your reasons in detail. Gi...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.6(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-01-27
Reference: FOI/202200322854
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

The sale of Lochaber assets of Rio Tinto Aluminium: FOI release

The areas I would appreciate any information held on are in relation to the sale of the Lochaber assets of Rio Tinto Aluminium (the Lochaber smelter, the two hydro-electric power stations and the associated Highland estate lands) to the GFG Alliance (including Liberty and SIMEC): (1) Any risk assessment carried out in ...

FOI already published 80 score 91 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.12 s.30 s.27 2 attachments

Published: 2023-01-27
Reference: FOI/202200309183
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Discussions regarding the judicial review: FOI release

All notes, correspondence, actions to be taken from the meetings on November 2 and 13 between the First Minister, the permanent secretary and external legal advisers to discuss the judicial review.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 160 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.26 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-01-26
Reference: FOI/202100173910
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Lord Advocate meeting with Deputy First Minister: FOI release

1) Minutes of any meeting between the Deputy First Minister John Swinney and the Lord Advocate on February 23, 2021; 2) Emails, texts and records of phone calls between the Deputy First Minister and the Lord Advocate, with necessary redactions of personal information, on 23 February 2021; and 3) Any follow-up contacts ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 96 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-01-26
Reference: FOI/202100210688
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Total spend on external legal advice since April 1st, 2020: FOI release

1) The total spend, broken down by financial or calendar year, on external legal advice since April 1, 2020. (I.e. 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 to date) a) Please break this down by the list of associated cases or disputes, and their individual cost. b) If possible, please provide the final settlement or damages or other ...

FOI unclear 50 score 9 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2022-12-19
Reference: FOI/202200332541
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Recruitment processes for "Senior Policy Advisors - Various Climate Change Posts" from June 2022: FOI release

1. What were the circumstances that related to the cancelling of 12 posts advertised externally under the heading "Senior Policy Advisors - Various Climate Change Posts" reference 2022-2955, which closed to external applicants on 2 June 2022? What was the nature of the 'internal business review' that was stated as the ...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence meetings spending s.9 s.2 s.3 s.15 s.6

Published: 2022-12-06
Reference: FOI/202200314931
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Redress Scotland solicitor fees: FOI release

1. Are solicitors allowed to charge a 10 percent fee for helping the survivors of csa or are they just entitled to a set amount of fees? https://www.gov.scot/publications/redress-survivors-historical-child-abuse-care-scotlandact-2021-statutory-guidance-payment-legal-fees-related-decisions-made-redressscotland/#:~:text=...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.96 s.2 s.25(1)

Published: 2022-12-06
Reference: FOI/202200315429
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Information around Child Disability Payment: FOI release

Multiple questions regarding: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder FASD; Prenatal Alcohol Exposure PAE; In Utero Exposure to Drugs; and Prescription Opiate Medications [and the information] that is used in the award of child disability. Please provide the information used by the assessor and medical practitioner who reviews...

FOI unclear 50 score 10 working days correspondence meetings spending

Published: 2022-11-30
Reference: FOI/202200328749
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Breakdown of money and resources tackling slavery and human trafficking: FOI release

"How much money and resources has been spent on stopping Slavery and Human Trafficking?"

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence

Published: 2022-11-23
Reference: FOI/202200317482
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Civil Service briefings produced on the UNCRC prior to the bill being introduced: FOI release

Copies of any briefings or memos or other analysis on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill, produced by the Civil Service prior to the Bill being introduced to the Scottish Parliament.

FOI already published 80 score 235 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.10(1) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-10-31
Reference: FOI/202100257620
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Public sector

How much money the Government has spent on combatting modern day slavery, people trafficking and sexual exploitation between 2018 and 2022 : FOI release

1. How much money has the Scottish Government spent on combatting modern slavery with a breakdown per year between 2018-2022? 2. Breakdown on what the money was spent on? 3. What money has the Scottish government earmarked for helping to combat Modern slavery?

FOI released 70 score 20 working days correspondence

Published: 2022-10-20
Reference: FOI/202200314583
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Equality and rights, International, +2 more … Law and order, Public sector

Patient Safety Commissioner role: FOI release

Documents and correspondence from 2022 relating to the remit of the new Patient Safety Commissioner role.

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

Published: 2022-10-11
Reference: FOI/202200318168
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government and GFG (Gupta Family Group) Alliance: FOI release

1) The full updated guarantee reimbursement agreement between the Scottish Government and GFG Alliance. Note I am not asking for the original agreement, but the updated version. 2) Any due diligence on this updated GRA

FOI partially withheld 90 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence s.33(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2022-10-05
Reference: FOI/202200312443
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Public sector

External legal advice incurred relating to Referendum: FOI release

1) The cost of all external legal advice incurred by the Scottish Government producing the Lord Advocate’s written case to the Supreme Court on the question of whether a referendum on Scottish independence relates to reserved matters. 2) If possible, the lawyers/firms in receipt of the funds the Scottish Government pro...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.2 s.27 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-10-05
Reference: FOI/202200312733
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Policies and standards for the evaluation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in government decision making: FOI release

"Publish your policies and standards for the evaluation of AI in government or public service decision making including - Internal policies and standards within the Scottish Government and its subsidiary departments Any current advice or recommendations to other public services on evaluation of AI."

FOI unclear 50 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence

Published: 2022-09-01
Reference: FOI/202200310403
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Details of the Scottish Government Dalzell agreement: FOI Review

You expressed that you were not satisfied with our reply to your original Freedom of Information (FoI) request which was allocated reference number 202100267443. The wording of this initial request is outlined below: “I would like to make a freedom of information request of the Scottish Government for details on the Sc...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 81 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.29 4 attachments

Published: 2022-08-30
Reference: FOI/202200280909 Review of 202100267443
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Applications for legal aid: FOI release

1. The number of applications to the Scottish Ministers to make payment from the legal aid fund in terms of section 4(c) of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986 2. Any policy documents, manuals, and decision-making documents in respect of applications in terms of that section. 3. Copies of any ministerial submissions or...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.4 s.4(2) s.17(1) s.36 s.38(1)

Published: 2022-08-30
Reference: FOI/202200308739
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) equality practices agreement: FOI release

The EHRC has today announced that the SQA has signed an agreement to improve its equality practices. Under FOISA, please release any material held by the Scottish Government (specifically ministers, the learning directorate, special advisers and media/press office staff) regarding this agreement and the SQA’s signing o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 228 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-08-30
Reference: FOI/202100244075
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to written question S6W-07719: EIR release

A copy of all correspondence relating to written question S6W-07719. This should include all internal Scottish Government correspondence, as well as any correspondence with other parties such as Marine Scotland or Crown Estate Scotland. For ease of reading, you queried if this could be supplied chronologically, going f...

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

Published: 2022-08-25
Reference: FOI/202200312013
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector