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

1,024 matching releases

Disclosure Scotland's response to the UK Supreme Court judgment: FOI release

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 (EQIAs) amended or initiated i...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.29 s.36 s.38 s.17(1) s.20 s.9 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-30
Reference: FOI/202500477264
Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Mothballing meeting material: FOI release

All material related to a meeting on 2 June 2025 involving Orlando Mason and other officials, including invites, briefings, summaries, chat comments, and personal notes.

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25 s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500477090
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills mothballing meeting materials: FOI release

All materials related to a meeting on 30 July 2024 between the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and officials (including Orlando Mason), including invites, briefings, summaries, chat comments, and personal notes.

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

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500477091
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Communications related to Scottish Information Commissioner decision notice: FOI release

"For thoroughness, and to eliminate any need for any investigation of the Authority under section 65 of FOISA, the Authority was invited to assist the Commissioner by requesting a voluntary affidavit from the named Special Adviser. It was requested that this clarify the named Special Adviser’s role in the redaction pro...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.65 s.30 s.36(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500470557
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Communications and documents regarding mothballing of education settings: FOI release

The advice document sent to Jenny Gilruth on 9 May 2025 regarding mothballing of education settings. All communication held by the Scottish Government regarding the above document.

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

Published: 2025-09-24
Reference: FOI/202500477089
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Material regarding UK Industrial Strategy Advisory Council: FOI release

‘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 UK Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, from the last three months? -Could you also supply who from the government attends th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 7 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-24
Reference: FOI/202500466871
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Secretariat to Former Independent Adviser to the Scottish Government: FOI release

1. In FOI/202300382811 GOVERNMENT PHONES ISSUES TO MINISTERS there is a list of names of officials that the Scottish Government states are senior enough to be named. If the name of the official who carried out the secretariat role for James Hamilton is included in this list then there is no legitimate reason that thei...

FOI transferred 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.3 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-24
Reference: FOI/202500469235
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Cumulative costs of Scottish Government legal fees: FOI Review

Original Request - 202500462518 You asked for '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 less than £50,000. This should include live and closed matters, with "matters" taken to be a ge...

FOI unclear 55 score 10 working days correspondence ministers spending s.23 s.37 s.20

Published: 2025-09-24
Reference: FOI/202500472207 Review of 202500462518
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Social Security Scotland internal and external legal services: FOI release

Request for Information 1: The number of full time equivalent (FTE) employees who work in Social Security Scotland’s internal legal team, including all lawyers, solicitors, etc. in a) Financial Year 2022/23, b) Financial Year 2023/24, and c) Financial Year 2024/25. Request for Information 2: The total amount spent by ...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.20

Published: 2025-09-23
Reference: FOI/202500468165
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Forestry legal services: FOI release

1. The number of FTE employees who work in Scottish Forestry’s internal legal team, including all lawyers, solicitors, etc. in a) Financial Year 2022/23, b) Financial Year 2023/24, and c) Financial Year 2024/25. 2. The total amount spent by Scottish Forestry on internal legal services, including the salaries of employ...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence

Published: 2025-09-23
Reference: FOI/202500468209
Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Communications, guidance and financial arrangements to Health Boards: FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I hereby request the following information held by the Scottish Government, for the period 1 January 2020 to present: 1. Communications with NHS Boards Copies of all internal emails, memos, meeting minutes or briefing papers between the Scottish Government (includ...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings contracts spending s.2 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-23
Reference: FOI/202500468013
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Documentation that mentions Former SNP Chief Executive Officer: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, which mentions Peter Murrell, from the last month?

FOI already published 80 score 67 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.26 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-23
Reference: FOI/202500458728
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Number of employees within Scottish Public Pensions Agency’s internal legal team: FOI release

1) The number of FTE employees who work in Scottish Public Pensions Agency’s internal legal team, including all lawyers, solicitors, etc. in a) Financial Year 2022/23, b) Financial Year 2023/24, and c) Financial Year 2024/25. 2) The total amount spent by Scottish Public Pensions Agency on internal legal services, incl...

FOI not held 40 score 13 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2025-09-22
Reference: FOI/202500468255
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Documentation about impact of Supreme Court ruling defining a woman and the planned misogyny law: FOI release

“All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about the impact of the Supreme Court ruling defining a woman and the planned misogyny law, between April 10 2025 and the date of this FOI (19 May 2025)"

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

Published: 2025-09-22
Reference: FOI/202500467033
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Documentation held by the Scottish Government regarding Misogyny Bill delay: FOI release

“All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about the misogyny bill being delayed this parliamentary term, from the last month (April 15 to May 15).”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 0 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-18
Reference: FOI/202500466453
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Equal Pay claims correspondence: FOI release

1. The total financial cost (including compensation payments and legal costs) incurred by Scottish public bodies in settling equal pay claims each year, for the past five years. 2. The projected total liability for unresolved or outstanding equal pay claims as estimated by the Scottish Government, broken down by each ...

FOI not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence meetings spending whatsapp s.2 s.4 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-17
Reference: FOI/202500463517
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

External legal fees for Court of Session appeal XA10/23: FOI release

How much money has the Scottish Government spent in total on appealing freedom of information requests about James Hamilton's report into Nicola Sturgeon during the Salmond Inquiry, with a full breakdown of costs?

FOI partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.30

Published: 2025-09-17
Reference: FOI/202500464784
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Communications from independent advisors on the ministerial code: FOI release

1) All communications to and from the three new independent advisors on the ministerial code since August 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 62 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.25(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-09-17
Reference: FOI/202500456442
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

WhatsApp messages between Scottish Government officials and Ministerial Code Former Advisor: FOI release

All WhatsApp messages between Mr James Hamilton and any/all members of the Scottish Government (Ministers, civil servants, spads, members of the secretariat on the ministerial code investigation into former FM Nicola Sturgeon: everyone) from January 1st 2019 to May 3rd 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.26 s.30 s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-17
Reference: FOI/202500464648
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Supreme Court’s Judgement in relation to the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018: FOI release

Please can you provide any draft statement and guidance provided to Shirley-Anne Somerville relating to the Ministerial Statement titled: ‘The Supreme Court’s Judgement in Relation to the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018.’

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.25 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-16
Reference: FOI/202500462630
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Meeting between the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Ministers on 24 April 2025: FOI release

The following information relating to the meeting between the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Neil Gray, and Shirley-Anne Sommerville on 24 April 2025. Any briefing provided to Neil Gray or Shirley-Anne Sommerville in advance of the meeting. The minutes of the meeting.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.36 s.38 s.36(1) s.17 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-16
Reference: FOI/202500463393
Directorate: Health Workforce Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Transport Scotland correspondence regarding Trans-European transport network: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by Transport Scotland, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about the Trans-European Transport Network, from the last six months?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-16
Reference: FOI/202500463316
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Scottish Government legal fees contesting Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

How much money has the Scottish Government spent on court/contesting the Scottish Information Commissioner, including court case costs, legal advice, administration fees, in the last five years, with a breakdown of these costs?

FOI released 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2025-09-16
Reference: FOI/202500463126
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Additional Dwelling Supplement: FOI release

Please would you provide the following for the period 1 January 2019 to present: All communications (via any medium possible including internal emails) that mention the Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) as it relates to housing co-operatives. For background information - I am particularly interested to view any co...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-16
Reference: FOI/202500463197
Directorate: Tax Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Court case involving Scottish Ministers and For Women Scotland legal costs: FOI release

You asked for the total cost of external legal advice or services, as well as any internal staffing costs, or any other costs in relation to the Supreme Court case involving Scottish Ministers and For Women Scotland.

FOI released 75 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-09-16
Reference: FOI/202500462239
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector