Scottish Government FOI Index

21,356releases indexed

38,332attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

7,900partially withheld

2017-09-26oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 7,900 unclear 7,052 not held 2,997 released 1,494 already published 663 cost limit 597 clarification 343 withheld 236 transferred 74

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4826 s.20 4178 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3386 s.30 2818 s.17(1) 2698 s.25(1) 2345 s.10(4) 1939 s.11(2) 1538 s.29(1) 1147 s.2 1139 s.3 894

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 1,237 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 945 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 896 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 837 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 692 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 660 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 641 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 622 releases · 25.8 avg days

Clear

1,015 matching releases

Correspondence regarding Non- Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020: FOI release

You asked for copies of all recorded communications between Scottish Government Ministers and officials during August 2025 that relate to concerns about the legislative competence of the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020. This includes emails, submissions, briefings, notes of meetings, and any other recorded corre...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496157
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Non-Domestic Rates (Liability for Unoccupied Properties) (Scotland) Bill correspondence: FOI release

1. The correspondence that first informed the Scottish Government about the drafting error with the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020 which pointed out that the amendments made by the 2020 Act to devolve Empty Property Relief had not had the intended legal effect. 2. All correspondence between relevant Scottish G...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.33(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495336
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government correspondence regarding the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government and the office of the First Minister regarding the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020. Information should include but ...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495526
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture meeting with Swiss Ambassador: FOI release

You asked for a record of the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture's meeting with Dominique Paravicini in October 2025.

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

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496279
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, International, Public sector

Copies of concern regarding Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020: FOI release

1. The first recorded concern identified within the Scottish Government regarding the legislative competence of the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020. 2. The initial recorded communications between officials relating to this concern, including any recorded consideration of whether ministers should be notified.'

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.29(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500496147
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Correspondence which mentions NHS Fife and the Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

"...all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, which mentions NHS Fife and the Scottish Information Commissioner, from the last month?"

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495825
Directorate: Health Workforce Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence sent to Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Minister for Victims and Community Safety regarding prisons: FOI release

Internal briefings, submissions, or update notes sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, or DG Justice between Sept 1 to Oct 1, 2025, which warn about: unsafe or deteriorating prison conditions prisons assessed as “end-of-life” major maintenance failures the impact of over...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500495798
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence relating to 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence: FOI release

1. Any correspondence sent from Scottish Government Ministers relating to the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in 2025. 2. Any briefing prepared for Ministers on the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in 2025.

FOI withheld 80 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500495618
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Correspondence which mentions former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party: FOI release

Firstly, a copy of all WhatsApp messages sent by the First Minister today (19th January) And then: A copy of all WhatsApp messages sent to First Minister today (19th January). A copy of any email sent from the first minister’s inbox that contains name Peter Murrell (in January 2026) A copy of any email sent from Fi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers contracts whatsapp s.17 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-18
Reference: FOI/202600502246
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Transport Scotland - Dualling of the A96 documentation: EIR release

The release of all documents that have hitherto been redacted, in whole or in part, relating to advice provided to Ministers concerning the dualling of the A96. This specifically includes any documents previously withheld or partially redacted in responses to FOI requests submitted since the start of the 2021 Parliamen...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.30 s.12(4) s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.6(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-17
Reference: EIR/202500489942
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Justice Division risk registers: FOI release

I would like to request the following information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002: 1. The current Community Justice Division Risk Register. 2. The current Criminal Justice Division Risk Register. 3. The current CLLS (Community Learning & Legal Services) Division Risk Register. (This is now called ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.28 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36 s.36(1) s.36(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-17
Reference: FOI/202500494457
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Documentation that mentions Lord Haughey: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, and analysis, which is to/from or mentions Willie Haughey, from the last three months. The period in question is 16 July 2025 until 16 October 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-16
Reference: FOI/202500489398
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Habitats Regulations inquires: EIR release

1. “Internal correspondence of any sort (including WhatsApp and text messages) between Special Advisers, Scottish Ministers and Scottish Government (and agency) officials on the political risks associated with the Habitats Regulations provisions of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, from 1st January 2025 to prese...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)

Published: 2026-02-16
Reference: EIR/202500497206
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Disclosure Scotland's response to the UK Supreme Court judgement: FOI Review

Original Request 202500477264 1. Legal and Policy Review Any internal communications, legal advice, briefings, minutes, or emails that reference the implications of the Supreme Court ruling for Disclosure Scotland’s policies, equality duties, safeguarding procedures, or communications. Any Equality Impact Assessments ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.29(1) s.30 s.1 s.36(1) s.17(1) s.3 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-16
Reference: FOI/202500481644 - Review of 202500477264
Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for frontline health & social care worker groups: FOI release

You asked for information on the following, in respect of the removal of unpaid carers from the COVID-19 vaccination programme: 1. Timeline discrepancy and date of the Scottish Government’s decision 2. Wider implications for clinical safety 3. Request for documentation of the decision 4. Minutes or summary of the m...

FOI clarification 80 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.30 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-11
Reference: FOI/202500494428
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the use of Cameron Barracks to house asylum seekers: FOI release

– All the emails and texts between the Scottish Government and the Home Office, Highland Council, NHS Highland, Police Scotland regarding the use of Cameron Barracks to house asylum seekers up until November 7, 2025. – All economic, social, environmental, legal or risk impact assessments conducted by the Scottish Gove...

FOI already published 80 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.28 s.17(1) s.25 s.1 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-11
Reference: FOI/202500493356
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Correspondence and funding from Scottish Government to Ferguson Marine: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about the promised £14.2m funding to Ferguson Marine, from the last three months? 2. How much of the £14.2m has been given to Ferguso...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.27(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-11
Reference: 202500485652
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Glasgow School of Art (GSA) Correspondence and Restoration Options: EIR release

1. Correspondence and Briefings – 1 June 2025 to Present Please provide all correspondence, meeting notes, internal emails, briefings, and analysis held by the Scottish Government (including within the Directorate for Culture and Heritage and any related departments) from 1 June 2025 to the present, relating to: The ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-11
Reference: FOI/202500486287
Directorate: Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Ministers and the Lord Advocate in relation transgender prisoners: FOI release

In relation to Topical Question time today in the Scottish Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs refused to provide justification for pursing legal action in relation to its policy on transgender prisoners: "Presiding Officer, with the greatest of respect to you and all members in the chamber, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.5 s.18 s.29(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-10
Reference: FOI/202500493242
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Total spending on the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill: FOI release

Please confirm total spending on the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill in each year during the current session of the Scottish Parliament beginning in 2021. Please include details of all spending on the public consultation launched in November 2023 and the analysis of responses.

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-02-09
Reference: FOI/202500494499
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding stage 3 proceedings on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill: FOI request

1. Any briefing prepared in advance of the start of Stage 3 proceedings on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill for Scottish Government Ministers. 2. Any speaking notes provided to Mairi Gougeon in advance of Stage 3 proceedings for the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.2 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-04
Reference: FOI/202500491343
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural

Affidavit in relation to the Hamilton Report: FOI release

From the legal advice released in October 2024 following SIC decision notice 193/2024 on page 87: “An affidavit from [redacted – section 38(1)(b)] as former head of the Secretariat about the arrangements was provided to OSIC as additional evidence.” 1) I request the above affidavit, as well any other affidavits provi...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.36(1) s.14(2) s.14 s.14O s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-04
Reference: FOI/202500491548
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Briefings and analysis about gender responsive budgeting: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis about gender responsive budgeting from the last three months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.27(1) s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-04
Reference: FOI/202500491074
Directorate: Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Immigration-related land use, Equality Act compliance and safeguarding information: FOI Review

Original request 202500486123 1. Immigration-Related Land Use • Recorded information (briefings, board or management papers, correspondence, leases/licences, meeting minutes, internal reports, or ministerial directions) from 1 Jan 2019–present on: • Use, proposed use, or upcoming plans involving forestry or woodland f...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.2 s.4 s.5 s.12 s.15 s.25(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) s.1 s.33 s.38 s.21 s.17(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2026-02-03
Reference: FOI/202500489170 Review of 202500486123
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Former Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Scottish Police Federation meeting on 30 January 2020: FOI release

All information held by the Scottish Government in relation to the meeting held on 30 January 2020 involving: Humza Yousaf MSP, then Cabinet Secretary for Justice; Peter Watson, Solicitor for the Scottish Police Federation; and David Kennedy, Scottish Police Federation Specifically, you are seeking: Any minutes, fil...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-03
Reference: FOI/202500491057
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Public sector