Scottish Government FOI Index

21,864releases indexed

39,478attachments found

29.7avg calendar days

8,113partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-06-12newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,113 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

2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263

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

7,795 matching releases

First Minister and Prime Minister correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence between the First Minister (and his office) and the Prime Minister (and his office) since 4th July 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.28(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-28
Reference: FOI/202500452857
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

UK Government Treasury/Chancellor correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence, including minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, between the Scottish Government and the UK Government Treasury/Chancellor Rachel Reeves/her office, from the last two months.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.28(1) s.38(1) s.25 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-28
Reference: FOI/202500452769
Directorate: Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Chief Executive of Social Security Scotland and Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice correspondence: FOI release

1. All correspondence between Shirley-Anne Sommerville and David Wallace – Chief Executive of Social Security Scotland since July 2024. 2. All correspondence between Shirley-Anne Sommerville and David Wallace – Chief Executive of Social Security Scotland mention the “the two child cap” since July 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-28
Reference: FOI/202500455135
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Increase in employers National Insurance contributions correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence between the UK Government and Scottish Ministers on the subject of the increase in employers National Insurance contributions announced at the last UK Budget. For clarity, and in order to keep this request within cost limits, I am limiting this request specifically to correspondence between UK Gover...

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.28(1) s.25 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500451973
Directorate: Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Seal shooting licensing process, criteria and impact: EIR release

1. Seal Shooting Licences Issued How many licences have been granted in Scotland to permit the shooting of seals from January 2015 to February 2025? Please provide a breakdown of the number of licences issued each year, including the species of seals (e.g., grey seals or common seals) targeted by these licences. Could...

FOI/EIR withheld 55 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.3 s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.9

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: EIR/202500454363
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Planning Hubs and Planning apprenticeships information: EIR release

All briefings given to Scottish Ministers since the appointment of John Swinney as First Minister regarding Planning Hubs and Planning apprenticeships All notes of meetings since the appointment of John Swinney as First Minister regarding Planning Hubs and Planning apprenticeships All Scottish Government correspondence...

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

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: EIR/202500447903
Directorate: Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

Correspondence regarding restriction on promotions of food high in fat, salt and sugar: FOI release

All correspondence sent and received and minutes/notes from meetings held by the Scottish Government with supermarkets, shops or trade representatives about restricting promotions of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt, from the last year.

FOI clarification 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.27(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500451984
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Grangemouth refinery: EIR release

All correspondence regarding the future of the Petroineos refinery at Grangemouth between: 1. Scottish Government Ministers and the Grangemouth Future Industry Board. 2. Scottish Government Ministers and Petroineos. 3. Scottish Government Ministers and UK Government Ministers. 4. Scottish Government Ministers and F...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.3 s.4 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: EIR/202500452064
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) costs and correspondence: EIR release

1. How much money has the Scottish Government spent on fixing Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the last three years, with a breakdown of what the money was spent on? and; 2. Could you supply all correspondence held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including intern...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: EIR/202500447631
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

First Minister's comments on child poverty in the Official Report: FOI release

1. The First Minister referred to “lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty”. How many hundreds of thousands does he believe have been lifted out of poverty? And if that number is less than two hundred thousand, please provide an explanation for why the First Minister has not corrected the Official Repo...

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence ministers briefings

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500455071
Directorate: Tackling Child Poverty and Social Justice Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Public sector

Safe Access Zones Team shared file information: FOI release

Shared ERDM Files All items from the Safe Access Zones Team’s shared ERDM file that contain any of the following words: "Catholic," "prayer," "praying," or "pray. If the team works from multiple shared files, the same request applies to all of them. Please provide the working names of these shared files. Please ensur...

FOI cost limit 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.12

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500452918
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Source of statistics and comparisons referenced in First Minister's Questions on 27 February 2025: FOI release

The source, and links to, all the statistics and comparisons which John Swinney quoted in his answers at First Ministers Questions on 27 February 2025.

FOI unclear 75 score 5 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500455117
Directorate: Strategy Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Non-compliance data for salmon farm sites: EIR release

Information relating to non-compliances from salmon farm sites, each year since 2020. Your request referred to a ministerial briefing associated with the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee's follow up inquiry into salmon farming in Scotland, 13 November 2024. This was information which was released in response to a p...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: EIR/202500455404
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Planning appeal information for The Grange Club in Stockbridge: EIR release

Information relating to a planning appeal for the installation of two tennis courts covered by an air supported dome; 2 padel tennis courts covered by steel frame structures and associated development at the Grange Club, 7 Portgower Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2)

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: EIR/202500453288
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

Honours and Awards process in Scotland: FOI release

I recently contacted the cabinet office asking about who and how awards and honours were determined in Scotland. They informed me the entire process in managed by the Honours and Protocol unit in the Scottish Government and that they simple rubber stamp the recommendations from Scottish Govt. Therefore, can you please...

FOI already published 55 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500455400
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Briefing notes for the First Minister's Orkney visit: FOI release

Copies of all briefing notes created for the First Minister and his staff for their visit to Orkney on February 10-11, 2025. This included requests for all appendices, annexes, and attachments. You also requested all agendas and briefing notes (handwritten or typed) from meetings Mr Swinney and his staff attended duri...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.33 s.38 s.29 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500452457
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Directorate For Energy And Climate Change meetings with Oil and Gas sector: EIR release

During the time Humza Yousaf was First Minister, how many meetings did civil servants within the Energy and Climate Change Directorate have with 1. Trade Unions that organise in the Oil and Gas sector 2. Companies with investments in Oil and Gas 3. Oil and Gas operators 4. Organisations representing Oil and Gas compan...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2)

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: EIR/202500452525
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

South Kinross Flood Protection Scheme objections: EIR release

A copy of any objections submitted to the Scottish Ministers for the South Kinross Flood Protection Scheme.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: EIR/202500454394
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Green Volt Project correspondence: EIR release

“May I request the following information under freedom of information legislation: All email or letter correspondence received by the Scottish Government from external organisations relating to the Green Volt Project since 15 January 2023. For Scottish Ministers and special advisers, all instant message exchanges the...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.7 s.34(1) 14 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202400434817
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Gender Recognition Reform Bill costs: FOI release

(a) Since 1 November 2023, what is the total cost to the Scottish Government of any work or legal advice relating to the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill? (If possible, could you break down any costs). (b) Could you share any correspondence: to the UK Government from the First Minister or Kaukab Stewart, rela...

FOI transferred 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.35 s.27(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500452867
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Number and definition of public bodies in Scotland: FOI release

1. The 199 public bodies referred to by John Swinney that he claimed were in existence in 2007 during First Minister’s Questions on 27 February 2025 2. Whether the Scottish Government has changed the definition of a ‘public body’ since 2007 and if so please provide the definition used in 2007 and all subsequent change...

FOI unclear 75 score 7 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500454914
Directorate: Public Service Reform Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Transgender individuals health and social care queries: FOI release

7 - a summary of any engagements, meetings, or advice Scottish Ministers, or officials acting on their behalf, have had from Social Workers, Social Work professional or representative bodies, or non NHS partners who sit on integrated joint boards related to Trans Health and Social care since the publication of the Cass...

FOI cost limit 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.12

Published: 2025-03-27
Reference: FOI/202500453403
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Green Volt Project correspondence: FOI release

1) Which Special Advisers or Ministers signed off or approved the Environmental Information Response and the attachments to the response which was given the reference number 202400434817? 2) The full email threads which discussed the initial draft freedom of information/environmental information response and attachmen...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.17(1) s.15 s.38 s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: FOI/202500450751
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Energy, Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Spend on photography for the First Minister: FOI release

How much money has been spent on a photographer/photography for the First Minister in each of the last three years, with a breakdown per year and per payments.

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

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: FOI/202500451640
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Documentation regarding the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government's appearance at the Scottish Women's Convention International Women's Day event: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government regarding Shona Robison's appearance at the Scottish Women's Convention International Women's Day event on 2 March 2024, including correspondence sent and received, briefings, minutes/notes from meetings, between January 1 2024 and April 30 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-26
Reference: FOI/202500452270
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector