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

223 matching releases

Freedom of Information (FOI) training materials: FOI release

Documentation provided to Government employees for the purpose of training to deal with FOI requests.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-12
Reference: FOI/202300374455
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Various meetings and correspondence relating to former First Ministers: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government to Back Off Scotland and all briefings written for ministers about the group between March 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. Did Humza Yousaf issue an instruction to his cabinet to support Nicola Sturgeon in June after her arrest and all written minist...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.38(1) 8 attachments

Published: 2024-08-12
Reference: FOI/202300374275
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Salaries and number of ministers, special advisors and civil servants in 2003, 2013 and 2023: FOI release

For each of the years 2003, 2013 and 2023 can you provide please the following information: 1. The total number of Ministers in post at The Scottish Government/The Scottish Executive. 2. The total salaries for these Ministers for the year in question. 3. The total number of civil servants dedicated to the Private Of...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.4 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.27(1)

Published: 2024-08-01
Reference: FOI/202400421758
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public Sector

Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

1. Over the past five years how many FoI requests have been submitted? Please can I have this broken down by year? (So for the years of 2019, 20, 21, 22, 23. If financial years are used, please may I have the data for this financial year to the date this has been submitted.) 2. Over the past five years how many FoI re...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.20 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-04-10
Reference: FOI/202400397701
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government and Executive Agency policy regarding social media posts: FOI release

Does the Scottish Government and related agencies have a policy of removing comments from social media? If so, what is this policy? Regardless if a policy exists or not, what criteria does the Scottish Government and related agencies use to remove comments from social media posts?

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.5 s.8 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-03-27
Reference: FOI/202400394165
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Social Media Monitoring Tools across departments: FOI release

1. A list of each social media listening/social media monitoring tool the Scottish Government pays for across all departments or directorates. Please include the annual fee/cost of each. 2. The document for each social media monitoring tool which states the terms, topics, issues, names or subjects that each social med...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-20
Reference: FOI/202400392556
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care communications during December 2022 - January 2023: FOI release

Any and all communications (including WhatsApps +private emails about government business) from Michael Matheson during December 2022 and January 2023. Any documents relating to the decision to pay for Michael Matheson's iPad bill from the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Any documents relating to the decision-ma...

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

Published: 2024-03-07
Reference: FOI/202300384476
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

1. How many requests for information made under FOISA has the Scottish Government received between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023? 2. Of those requests, how many received a full response within the 20 working day limit as set out in FOISA? 3. Of those requests, how many were either fully or partially refused by ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.29 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-03-04
Reference: FOI/202400392833
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Use of Bute House for interviews by the First Ministers wife: FOI release

Can you confirm what the rules are in regards to the first ministers wife, who is not a member of the government, using the taxpayer funded bute house address to film media interviews with the BBC today? Can you also share the rules on the first minister taking his family to government work events (children and wife) w...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-27
Reference: FOI/202300380502
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

First Minister’s Christmas Media Reception: FOI release

Regarding the First Minister’s Christmas Media Reception, held at Bute House last night 14/12/23: A number of civil servants could be overheard discussing being "asked to go and buy booze at the last minute". Was alcohol or "booze" always going to be served at the Christmas Media Reception? If not, when was it decid...

FOI not held 45 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.17(1) s.7 s.10 s.4 s.27(1) s.17

Published: 2024-02-23
Reference: FOI/202300389912
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care use of governmental device: FOI release

1. Whether Michael Matheson informed anyone in the Scottish Government of his holiday to Morocco during December 2022/January 2023 in advance of it and if so when. 2. Whether Michael Matheson asked the Scottish Government to take a government device with him on this holiday, whether this request was accepted or rejecte...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2024-01-23
Reference: FOI/202300385115
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Number of FOI/EIR's received annually and costs incurred for responding: FOI release

Total cost, per calendar year, from Jan 1st 2015 to present date, incurred by the Scottish Government in answering FOI and EIR requests. Total number, per calendar year, from Jan 1st 2015 to present date, of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government. Total number, per calendar year, from Jan 1st 2015 to present ...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2024-01-16
Reference: FOI/202300383092
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ferry service queries (Corran/Ferguson Marine): FOI release

When was the use of an MOD vessel to replace the Corran Ferry service, while both vessels are out of action, discussed at a cabinet meeting. When was the A9 Tomatin to Moy dualling contract and the new procurement process (post February 2023 announcement to restart) discussed at a cabinet meeting. When was the delay of...

FOI unclear 55 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence meetings contracts s.17(1)

Published: 2024-01-05
Reference: 202300355968
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministers' private interests: FOI release

All the information in all the lists of interests (including spouse, partner and family interests) provided by each minister currently serving in the Scottish Government upon their appointment by Humza Yousaf, including the information provided by the First Minister himself. Any confirmation from ministers, at the time...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.11 s.17(1)

Published: 2024-01-03
Reference: 202300350930
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government expenditure on TikTok: FOI release

A breakdown of Scottish Government expenditure on TikTok, including a breakdown by subject matter, and whether it was used to promote a specific policy position to young people. Reasoning behind advertising on TikTok and a breakdown of what adverts were shown and how many people they reached. The cost/benefit analysis ...

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

Published: 2023-12-29
Reference: 202300356486
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Official letter sent to Royal Household for Crown consent: FOI release

Please for each of the following bills firstly: the official letter sent by Scottish ministers to the Royal Household notifying the monarch that these bills will, or are likely to, trigger the crown consent clauses of Scottish parliament standing orders, and which detail the parts of the bill which did so and why, and ...

FOI unclear 55 score 9 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2023-12-11
Reference: FOI/202300381740
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity government issued mobile handset: FOI release

1. Does Lorna Slater use a mobile phone handset issued to her by the Scottish Government? 2. If Lorna Slater does not use a mobile phone handset issued to her by the Scottish Government, does the Scottish Government pay the bill for any personal handsets used by Lorna Slater, either directly, or via expense claims? 3...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2023-12-06
Reference: FOI/202300382799
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Consultation Hub response statistics since 2015: FOI release

For each year that the consultation hub (http://consult.scotland.gov.uk) has been operating since October 2015, please provide: 1. The average length of time taken from the closure of a consultation to the publication of responses. 2. The average length of time taken from the closure of a consultation to the publicat...

FOI released 75 score 20 working days correspondence s.2 s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2023-12-04
Reference: FOI/202300379124
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Gifts handed out by the Scottish Government for 2023, 2022 and 2021: FOI release

Please provide me with a list of presents and gifts handed out by the Scottish Government for 2023, 2022 and 2021. Please advise what the gifts were, how much they cost, who the recipient was and when the gifts were handed out.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-29
Reference: FOI/202300369999
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Nicola Sturgeon’s visit to Dr Bell’s Family Centre: FOI release

The Scottish Government is included as one of the ‘Funders’ of ‘Dr Bell’s Family Centre’ in Leith (details included on their website). Please provide information of all funding and grants that have been awarded to ‘Dr Bell’s Family Centre’ during the period April 2015 until April 2023. On September 5th 2022 First Minis...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1)

Published: 2023-11-23
Reference: 202300348494
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Salary and costs for the Cabinet Office assigned to the Minister for Independence: FOI release

The monthly/annual running costs for the Cabinet Office assigned to the Minister for Independence. Broke down into following. Minister’s salary. Staff(s) salary. Estimated office costs (office space and relevant office supplies, running costs for phones/postage and equipment).

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2023-11-21
Reference: 202300349523
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information (FOIs) cases discussed at Cabinet: FOI release

During the Scottish Parliament's Convener's Group meeting on September 27, 2023, Humza Yousaf said that certain FOIs had been brought to cabinet to discuss. Which FOIs were they, why were they brought to cabinet, and what was the resulting decision? Please also provide the responses to the FOIs that were brought to Cab...

FOI not held 45 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.17(1)

Published: 2023-11-21
Reference: FOI/202300378309
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Travel by Ministers for Party Political Occasions: FOI release

In Section 9.23 of the Ministerial Code, Travel by Ministers – Party Political Occasions, it states that; ‘Where a visit is a mix of political and official engagements, it is important that the Government and the party each meet a proper proportion of the actual cost’. Please provide information on whether or not the S...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.9 s.17(1) s.39(1)

Published: 2023-11-20
Reference: FOI/202300373939
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Social media and media advertising spend on COVID-19 vaccination programme: FOI release

The amount of money spent by the Scottish Government on social media and media advertising to encourage people to take the COVID-19 vaccinations, including paying or rewarding 'social media influencers', media personalities and public figures.

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2023-11-16
Reference: FOI/202300375231
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence that mentions BBC journalist Sarah Smith: FOI release

Please provide all emails or correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon, her office, civil servants and James Dornan MSP and his office that mention BBC journalist Sarah Smith from January and February this year. Please provide any internal Scottish Government emails or correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon and other memb...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.17(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-13
Reference: 202200285489
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector