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

138 matching releases

Annual expenditure on TV advertising: FOI release

Annual expenditure on TV advertising 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, covering all advertising expenditure including Government supported and Scottish public sector bodies, not only direct government costs.

FOI not held 40 score 16 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2023-10-31
Reference: 202300341792
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial contact time: FOI release

Please supply the content of all documentation regarding the preferences of all current Scottish Government ministers for working on or being contacted on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and during anti-social hours, including preferences regarding a disinclination to work or be contacted during such days and time...

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

Published: 2023-10-19
Reference: 202300356735
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Angus Robertson's time abroad: FOI Release

You asked for: How many days this year has Angus Robertson not been in Scotland for (up to the date of this FOI?) List all of the foreign trips to countries outside of Scotland he has taken and their dates. The total amount spent on trips outside of Scotland that he has been on? What is his budget for trips outside...

FOI not held 45 score 12 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2023-09-14
Reference: 202200331592
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Highest number of FOI requests made by a single person in one day: FOI release

What is the largest number of FOI requests made to yourselves by a single person in one day, and who made those requests (and in what capacity, e.g. journalist, media, lobbying, campaigner, party researcher)? For each of the years 2023 (so far), 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, what is the largest number of FOI requests made...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2023-09-06
Reference: FOI/202300371085
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial car arrangements March 2023: FOI release

1. Copies of any enquiries from ministers/representatives of ministers on whether the service would be available from the pub on March 23. 2. Any internal discussion within the SG over whether use of the car service for this event would be appropriate, and any responses to ministers/their representatives. 3. Any corres...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2023-08-21
Reference: FOI/202300366303
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister media interviews: FOI release

The number of individual (one on one rather than press conference) media interviews given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon between 4 December 2020 and 4 December 2022. Please list these by outlet e.g “The Times” or "STV News" along with the journalist's name and the date. Please list all interviews given regardles...

FOI not held 70 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-02-21
Reference: FOI/202200332827
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Collaborative messaging apps and non-work / social spaces: FOI release

Please see the notes at the bottom for clarification on these requests. 1. Do you use one or more collaborative messaging apps? ** If no to Q1, Q2-4 do not apply to you and I do not need a response to them. ** 2. Please supply: 2.1. a list of names of those apps, and 2.2. the total number of your employees and workers ...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.1 s.4 s.17(1)

Published: 2022-12-05
Reference: FOI/202200328528
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cost to tax payers to cover the energy expenses of MP/MSPs: FOI release

Request 1: The number and type of flights taken by ScotGov Ministers and MSP's including Nicola Sturgeon and The Greens since 2020 and also the Westminster MPs including Ian Blackford. Please include whether private or public, airline, the destination/reason for the flight and class of travel ticket and the cost to tax...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.27(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-10-10
Reference: FOI/202200319290
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Breakdown of social media spend and influencer information: FOI release

1. How much money has the Scottish Government spent on social media influencers on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter in 2017-2021? 2. Breakdown of what the money was spent on in each scenario, I.e how much each post cost, what person was paid, what platform it was published on? 3. Who were the social media influencers th...

FOI not held 40 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending

Published: 2022-03-02
Reference: FOI/202200275797
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Scottish Budget

Media campaign fronted by Janey Godley: FOI Review

With reference to the recent media campaign fronted by Janey Godley (JG), I am seeking the following information: (1) Who initially proposed JG to front the campaign? (2) All internal communications proposing and discussing the proposal for JG to front the campaign. (3) All communications with the creative services age...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.7 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-02-09
Reference: FOI/202100257829 Review of 202100248293
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Letter sent to Scottish households on accessing Scottish Health system: FOI release

1. How many copies of this literature have been sent to households up until the date of the receipt of this request? 2. Do you plan to distribute any further copies of this literature to households, as of the receipt of this letter? 3. Please advise the total expenditure in sending this literature to the households tha...

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

Published: 2022-02-03
Reference: FOI/202100263405
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Breakdown of alcohol spending for Bute House: FOI release

I would like to access the following information collected in each of the past 5 financial years. 1. How many bottles of wine have been bought by the Scottish Government, or by external companies on behalf of the Scottish Government as part of a contract for BUTE HOUSE. For each financial year please outline the total ...

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

Published: 2022-01-27
Reference: FOI/202100257157
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Media campaign fronted by Janey Godley: FOI release

FOI not held 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.5 s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2021-12-21
Reference: FOI/202100248293
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Creative agencies used by Scottish Government: FOI release

1. Please list the creative services agencies used by the government during 2021. 2. A list of all appointments made under each agreement during 2021 - detailing the creative services agency used, campaign name, the lead artist / provider and agreed fee. The following questions relate solely to the creative service age...

FOI not held 45 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.3

Published: 2021-12-14
Reference: FOI/202100248294
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Business dealings with Janey Godley: FOI review

Your request, reference 202100237623 You asked for information in relation to the Scottish Government's business dealings with the comedian Janey Godley, including; A copy of all contracts and agreements. A list of all payments of (a) fees and (b) expenses, by date. A copy of all communications with JG or her agent. F...

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

Published: 2021-12-08
Reference: FOI/202100248243 review of 202100237623
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Engagement with Republic of Media: FOI release

I would like to submit a Freedom of Information Request on the government’s engagement with Republic of Media. I would like a record of all government spending on contracts with Republic of Media up to the present as well as a breakdown of these costs and which projects they were spent on. I would also like a full list...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2021-11-15
Reference: FOI/202100230217
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Information pertaining to Let's Stop the Spike media campaign: FOI release

1. A full account of costs relating to the "Let's Stop the Spike" media campaign ran by the Scottish Government, specifically the two videos published on the Scottish Government's YouTube channel titled: "Take Two Tests Every Week" "Stop the Spike" 2. Copies of the contracts or tenders in which any media companies se...

FOI not held 45 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.3 s.4 s.7 s.33 s.33(1)

Published: 2021-11-08
Reference: FOI/202100237582
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Permanent Secretary blog post on internal intranet: FOI release

Under FoI could you please send me a blog post on Saltire written by Leslie Evans about the Black Lives Matter movement, and include all comments which were left by staff in response to this. The post I am referring to was referenced by Ms Evans in a Q&A session with staff on July 23. Ms Evans said: "I was equally thou...

FOI not held 70 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence s.17(1) s.39(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2021-10-20
Reference: FOI/202100226047
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Saltire comments regarding pronouns intranet poll: FOI release

I understand there was a poll run recently on the Scottish Government's Saltire intranet service about the use of pronouns on email signatures. The poll I am referring to is mentioned in this FOI response: https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202100210730/. Under FoI, could you please provide copies of all comments wh...

FOI not held 70 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence s.17(1) s.39(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2021-10-18
Reference: FOI/202100225976
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Renovations or decorating work at Bute House: FOI release

1) Between May 2007 and November 2014 inclusive, how much money was spent by the Scottish Government on renovations or decorating work at Bute House? 2) Between December 2015 to date, how much money was spent by the Scottish Government on renovations or decorating work at Bute House?

FOI not held 65 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending 2 attachments

Published: 2021-05-10
Reference: FOI/202100171833
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Scottish Conservative Conference: FOI release

1. Any correspondence (emails, letters, text messages, WhatsApp messages, phone calls or otherwise) between Ministers (including the First Minister), Special Advisors and civil servants in the Scottish Government Press Office concerning the Scottish Conservative Conference, held between Friday 20 November and Saturday ...

FOI not held 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2021-02-25
Reference: FOI/202000129480
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Disposable and reusable cups purchased by the Scottish Government: FOI review

You requested “How many (a) disposable cups and (b) reusable cups were purchased by the Scottish Government in each month since January 2019, broken down by month?”

FOI not held 45 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2021-02-15
Reference: FOI/202000118975
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Questions regarding @ScotGovFM and First Minister Twitter accounts: FOI release

A copy of any guidance and/or instructions issued to Scottish Government ministers for their use of both official government and personal social media accounts. If 1. does not answer this point, why the @ScotGovFM account is used so infrequently (during the month preceding this request, October 7 – November 7 it posted...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)

Published: 2021-01-27
Reference: FOI/202000108984
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Topics

Senior Scottish Government staff communication applications: FOI release

Please could you supply a list of all communication apps (e.g. WhatsApp) downloaded onto the smartphones of First Minister First Minister's Private Secretary First Minister's Chief of Staff (a special adviser) Head of Communications & Senior Political Spokesperson for the FM (a special adviser)

FOI not held 40 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp

Published: 2020-11-23
Reference: FOI/202000094726
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Former First Minister complaints: FOI release

1. A copy of the request made on or around 31 October 2017 by David Clegg and/or the Daily Record in which information was sought on whether any complaints had been made about Alex Salmond during his tenure as First Minister. 2. Copies of all documents held by the Scottish Government in which that request was considere...

FOI not held 45 score 8 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.4 s.17(1)

Published: 2020-11-03
Reference: FOI/202000099263
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector