Scottish Government FOI Index

9,099releases indexed

14,350attachments found

27.1avg calendar days

3,606partially withheld

2024-01-12oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 3,606 unclear 2,485 not held 1,406 released 651 already published 356 cost limit 328 clarification 139 withheld 100 transferred 28

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 2389 s.20 1874 s.34(1) 1798 s.39(2) 1572 s.30 1471 s.17(1) 1236 s.25(1) 1126 s.10(4) 972 s.11(2) 785 s.29(1) 618 s.2 546 s.3 411

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 578 releases · 27.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 547 releases · 28.5 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 357 releases · 27.2 avg days Marine Directorate 352 releases · 26.7 avg days Population Health Directorate 350 releases · 25.4 avg days People Directorate 287 releases · 24.0 avg days Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate 270 releases · 31.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 267 releases · 38.8 avg days

Clear

3,499 matching releases

Planning guidance on Battery Energy Storage Systems: EIR release

Information about the recently published Scottish Government planning guidance publication on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): Battery Energy Storage Systems: planning guidance - gov.scot.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts spending s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-15
Reference: FOI/202600513062
Directorate: Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Correspondence discussing the response to FOI request 202600503390: FOI release

Please provide all internal Scottish Government correspondence (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers), by email or by direct messaging application, discussing the response to FOI request 202600503390.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-15
Reference: FOI/202600512984
Directorate: Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister's Shetland Isles visit information: FOI release

“..copies of any documents or correspondence to or from your domain ("@gov.scot") regarding First Minister John Swinney's visit to the Shetland Isles from 22-24 February. Please could I ask for any documents or correspondence between 1st January and 27 February 2026? In your search for documents and correspondence pl...

FOI unclear 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-14
Reference: FOI/202600510265
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Direct communication between the First Minister and Permanent Secretary and their associated offices: FOI Review

Original Request 202600508787 Under FOI, I would like to request all documentation exchanged between the (1) First Minister and his office, and (2) Joe griffin and his office from 01 December to the date of this FOI. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not where either party have been copied to a chain of emails. Thi...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-14
Reference: FOI/202600513029 - Review of 202600508787
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service funding query: FOI release

Whether the funding provided to the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is ringfenced and whether the prosecution sector receives a specific amount of funding from the overall COPFS funds.

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)

Published: 2026-05-14
Reference: FOI/202600504555
Directorate: Public Spending Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Apprenticeship funding data: FOI release

Apprenticeship funding, numbers of apprenticeship starts and in training (with requested breakdowns), from 2015/16 to 2024/25 inclusive.

FOI not held 45 score 15 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.3

Published: 2026-05-14
Reference: FOI/202600504882
Directorate: Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Transport Scotland - Highlands £2 bus fare cap pilot: FOI release

Any assessment carried out by the Scottish Government regarding the impact of the £2 bus fare cap pilot on passenger numbers on rail services in the Highlands, including the Far North Line. Please include any reports, analysis, data, or internal correspondence relating to this assessment. Details of any discussions hel...

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

Published: 2026-05-14
Reference: FOI/202600512725
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Non-domestic rates information relating to land used for shooting activity: FOI release

Relating to land used for shooting purposes, in particular, the announcement during your recent budget that current reliefs are being removed. I would appreciate details on the following please: - What prompted this change of policy and why this particular type of use? Who was responsible for it being featured in your...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.8

Published: 2026-05-14
Reference: FOI/202600505454
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Money and tax, Public sector

Ministerial submissions, briefings and advice relating to body-worn video cameras for Police Scotland: FOI release

Any ministerial submissions, briefings, or advice provided to Scottish Ministers between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025 which refer to: the roll-out, delay, or implementation of body-worn video cameras for Police Scotland; assessments of the operational, safety, evidential, or court-efficiency benefits of body-wo...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.30

Published: 2026-05-14
Reference: FOI/202600504576
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Scottish Government reports or briefings containing annual miscarriage estimates: FOI release

Please can you provide the estimated number of miscarriage for each of the last 10 years for which data are available, including: Any national-level estimates produced or used by the Scottish Government; Any analyses, reports, or briefings (including internal papers) that include annual miscarriage estimates.

FOI already published 80 score 0 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-14
Reference: FOI/202600513077
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Information relating to First Minister's visit to Washington DC in September 2025: FOI release

1. Correspondence between the First Minister's Private Office and the British Embassy in Washington DC 2. Correspondence between senior (Deputy Director level and above) Scottish Government officials and the British Embassy Washington 3. Correspondence between the First Minister's Private Office and senior (Deputy Di...

FOI released 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2026-05-14
Reference: FOI/202600505420
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Recycling Improvement Fund - Midlothian Council grant assessment: EIR release

“The Scottish Government's Recycling Improvement Fund awarded Midlothian Council £2,322,042 for the project described as "Transition to twin-stream collection service and reduced frequency of residual waste for kerbside and communal properties." This was accepted by Midlothian Council at its full Council meeting on 19 ...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-14
Reference: FOI/202600512764
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

First Minister correspondence including the phrase “energy bills” or “electricity bills”: FOI release

All correspondence sent or received by the First Minister (or his office) which includes the phrase “energy bills” or “electricity bills” between 8 October 2025 and 2 April 2026.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-14
Reference: FOI/202600513724
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Ardrossan Harbour purchase costs: EIR release

You asked for the following information regarding the recent acquisition of Ardrossan Harbour by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) on behalf of the Scottish Ministers: 1. The total purchase price paid to the Peel Ports Group (or any associated subsidiary) for the harbour assets. 2. A breakdown of any addition...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(5) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: EIR/202600512471
Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector, Transport

UK Supreme Court Judgment (For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers) working group meeting information: FOI release

The total cost of each meeting of the “UK Supreme Court Judgment (For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers): working group”. Please break down the costs involved – for example, expenses, catering, room hire, etc. The length of each meeting of the “UK Supreme Court Judgment (For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish ...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.25(1)

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600502227
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Documentation regarding stakeholder engagement process and information session pertaining to non-surgical cosmetics procedure bill: FOI release

1. Design and Purpose of the Information Session All internal documents, briefing notes, emails or meeting records which define or describe the purpose of the session, including whether it was intended to constitute stakeholder engagement. Any documents distinguishing between “information provision” and “stakeholder e...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.4 s.5 s.1 s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600512523
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Costs incurred in legal cases involving For Women Scotland: FOI release

Can you provide to date (January 9 2026) the Scottish government's total costs incurred in legal cases involving feminist campaign group For Women Scotland? Can you provide to date (January 9 2026) the Scottish government's total costs incurred in legal cases involving any challenge to the government policy on placing...

FOI released 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600500967
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Democracy Matters Steering Group information: FOI release

Information about the Democracy Matters Steering Group including if the group was formed, when this group met and for how long, when they are scheduled to meet next, who are members of the group, if it has produced a report, who it was reported to and will it be available to the public and lastly whether members of the...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1)

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600502250
Directorate: Public Service Reform Directorate
Topic: Communities and third sector, Public sector

First Minister emails relating to Lord Advocate and former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party: FOI release

A copy of any email in the First Minister’s inbox (sent by him or received by him) relating to the Lord Advocate or Peter Murrell that was received or sent on 16th, February, 17th February, 18th February and 19th February.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.28(1) s.35(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600512647
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Number of Freedom of Information requests which have proceeded to a review: FOI release

I would like statistics on the number of FOIs which were dealt with by Ministerial Private Pffice staff and the number of those FOIs which then needed to be reviewed in 2025. For avoidance of doubt, this is an FOI Review. I would also like stats on the overall number of FOIs received by Scottish Government in 2025 and...

FOI unclear 50 score 6 working days correspondence ministers

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600505303
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence between Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy and Great British Energy (GB Energy): EIR release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, I am requesting the release of information held by the Scottish Government regarding communications and meetings between the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy (formerly Acting Cabinet Secret...

FOI/EIR already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.2 2 attachments

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: EIR/202600512493
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Assurance on NHS compliance with Supreme Court Judgement: FOI release

The following questions based on the communication issued by Gillian Russell, Director of Health Workforce, to NHS Board Chief Executives on 30 September 2025. 1. Is Ms Russell now assured that each NHS Board has in fact obtained their own legal advice as independent legal entities – please provide a list of all NHS B...

FOI unclear 55 score 12 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600507521
Directorate: Health Workforce Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Health and social care, Public sector

Ministerial expenses of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon: FOI release

In light of the information pertaining to Peter Murrell it is clear that there might have been some fraudulent activity with regards to SNP accounts. Can you please advise and reassure us that the expenses of the former first minister Nicola Sturgeon have been thoroughly checked to ensure that the same invoices were no...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600506652
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Operation Branchform communications between Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and First Minister: FOI release

1. The total number of recorded communications sent from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) (including the Lord Advocate’s office, Solicitor General’s office, private secretaries, and/or COPFS officials) to the First Minister’s Office / First Minister’s Private Office which refer to, relate to, or a...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600507223
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Number of memos/minutes sent from Lord Advocate’s office/Law Officers to the First Minister: FOI release

Please provide the total number of memos/minutes (“Minute to the First Minister” or equivalent formal note) sent from the Lord Advocate’s office / Law Officers to the First Minister’s office between 1 October 2025 and 17 February 2026 (inclusive). I am not requesting the content of any memo, nor any description of wha...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1)

Published: 2026-05-13
Reference: FOI/202600507377
Directorate: Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic: Law and order, Public sector