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

774 matching releases

Documentation and correspondence regarding Eric Trump meeting: FOI release

All items of information in all briefings prepared for the First Minister and other participants in the meeting held at Bute House on 13 March 2025 between the First Minister and Eric Trump, and in all briefings prepared for any preparatory meetings or calls. All minutes, notes, and other records of the 13 March meeti...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-08
Reference: FOI/202500458890
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: International, 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

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

First Minister visit to St Fergus Gas Terminal documentation: EIR release

On 22/7/24 John Swinney MSP, First Minister, and Jack Middleton, Special Adviser met with Storegga Limited to visit the St Fergus gas terminal and undertake press work. Source: https://www.lobbying.scot/SPS/InformationReturn/SearchInformationReturnDetail/56630 https://www.gov.scot/news/fast-tracking-scotlands-energy-...

FOI/EIR released 100 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-07-07
Reference: EIR/202500459263
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Rent pressure zone and rent control information: FOI release

1. How many councils have applied to the Scottish Government to implement rent pressure zones, could you supply their applications and the responses, i.e. whether it was accepted or rejected? 2. Could you supply all correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Greens, including minutes/notes from me...

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

Published: 2025-07-02
Reference: FOI/202500460576
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

First Minister travel costs for Orkney and London trips: FOI release

Could you supply full costs of travel for John Swinney's trips to Orkney and London in February, and full costs of travel and method for any civil servants/spads who travelled with him?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending

Published: 2025-06-24
Reference: FOI/202500455966
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Drafting of the opening speech in the Scotland’s Renewable Future debate: EIR release

All internal Scottish Government correspondence, involving Civil Servants and/or Special Advisers, discussing the drafting of the opening speech made by Gillian Martin in the Scotland’s Renewable Future debate held in the Scottish Parliament on 4th March 2025.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence special advisers s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2025-06-18
Reference: EIR/202500455795
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

National Care Service Bill documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received, minutes/notes from meetings, internal correspondence, briefings and analysis regarding the decision to axe part one of the National Care Service bill, between December 15 2024 and January 23 2025.

FOI already published 80 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.36 2 attachments

Published: 2025-06-18
Reference: FOI/202500455144
Directorate: Social Care and National Care Service Development
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation (SNIPEF) correspondence, funding and press release: FOI release

1. All correspondence between Scottish Government Ministers and Special Advisers and the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation between 4 March 2025 and the present date (inclusive). This should include correspondence that Ministers or Special Advisers were copied into. 2. Whether the Scottish Gov...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers

Published: 2025-06-10
Reference: FOI/202500456101
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Former First Minister memoirs: FOI release

You requested the following information: 1. Any information held on advice provided to Nicola Sturgeon about the Radcliffe Rules around political memoirs. 2. Whether Nicola Sturgeon has submitted a manuscript of her memoir, Frankly, to the Permanent Secretary for approval under those rules. 3. A copy of any part of ...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.3 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-06-09
Reference: FOI/202500458988
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: 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

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

Queries regarding access to secretariat members email accounts: FOI Review

Original request 202400444352 In the court of session ruling from case XA10/23, the court ruling states: "In this connection it is notable that in their written submissions the Ministers accept that they (or their officials) could gain access to the information. They acknowledge that some of the email accounts of sec...

FOI withheld 80 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.21(4) s.38(1) s.36(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500449874 Review of 202400444352
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Information regarding the Ministerial Statement: Legal Advice Relating to Scottish Information Commissioner Decision: FOI Review

Original request 202400445432 1) All briefing notes provided to ministers (e.g. John Swinney, Jamie Hepburn) in preparation of the statement to the Scottish Parliament on the 29th of October: Ministerial Statement: Legal Advice Relating to Scottish Information Commissioner Decision by civil servants, SPADs and anyone ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 2 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.21(4) s.25 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.30 6 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452157 Review of 202400445432
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Criteria for responding to FOI requests: FOI release

1) It is a requirement that SPADs and/or the FM's chief of staff clear FOI responses from civil servants in the FOI unit? 2) How many FOIs were received by the Scottish Government in 2024, and how many of these were cleared by SPADs and/or FM's chief of staff before release? 3) What is the purpose of the following em...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.3 s.12 s.25(1) s.5

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500447375
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Special Advisers relationship with Freedom of Information requests: FOI Review

Original request 202500447375 1) It is a requirement that SPADs and/or the FM's chief of staff clear FOI responses from civil servants in the FOI unit? 2) How many FOIs were received by the Scottish Government in 2024, and how many of these were cleared by SPADs and/or FM's chief of staff before release? 3) What is ...

FOI clarification 50 score 8 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452341 Review of 202500447375
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Special Adviser involvement in James Hamilton QC's report on the Ministerial Code: FOI Review

Original request 202400446131 1) I am aware through previous FOI requests and written answers in parliament (S6W-25078), that the Scottish Government has confirmed that four civil servants were "involved in the process of deciding" what parts of the report to redact. To be clear was there any SPAD involvement in a non...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202500452219 Review of 202400446131
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Lord Advocate WhatsApp messages during the Covid 19 pandemic: FOI release

Dorothy Bain KC What's App messages during the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.17

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400427875
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Public sector

Director General for Net Zero WhatsApp messages during Covid-19 pandemic: FOI release

Roy Brannen's Covid 19 WhatsApp messages.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.29 s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400436386
Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

HMP Glasgow information: FOI release

1. The first draft of the letter the Cabinet Secretary for Justice & Home Affairs sent to the Criminal Justice Committee on 5 February 2025 regarding an update on the proposed HMP Glasgow and all subsequent edits, amendments and comments suggested by officials, special advisers and ministers before the final version wa...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 s.33 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-21
Reference: FOI/202500451844
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Chief Statistician correspondence to Scottish Ministers: FOI release

1. All instances of the Scottish Government’s Chief Statistician writing to any Scottish Minister (or their private office) advising them that they should correct the official record of the Scottish Parliament due to a factual inaccuracy since 8 May 2024. Please provide the full correspondence of the Chief Statistician...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-13
Reference: FOI/202500450754
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Meeting between Special Adviser and Shell UK Limited: FOI release

Information regarding the meeting between Davie Hutchison and Shell U.K. Limited at the Scottish Parliament on the 5th of September 2024. A full list of attendees, including full names and titles as well as those who the attendee represents A copy of the meeting agenda Meeting notes/minutes taken during the meeting, a...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence special advisers briefings meetings s.17

Published: 2025-03-13
Reference: FOI/202500451632
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish International Development Association Head of Policy and Communications appointment: FOI Review

Original request 202500446733 1. When the Scottish Government first became aware of the Scottish International Development Association’s appointment of Patrick Grady to the role of Head of Policy and Communications. 2. The initial response the Scottish Government drafted up for responding to press queries about this ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.2 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-04
Reference: FOI/202500450926 Review of 202500446733
Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Ministerial statement on Winter Fuel Payment replacement: FOI Review

Original request 202400443264 1. The original draft of Shirley-Anne Somerville's ministerial statement delivered on 28 November 2024 regarding the Scottish Government’s announcement replacing the Winter Fuel Payment and all subsequent drafts of that ministerial statement, including feedback, edits, comments or changes...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.2 s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-25
Reference: FOI/202500450294 Review of 202400443264
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector