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

1,275 matching releases

Former Minister for Mental Health's WhatsApp messages during the Covid 19 pandemic: FOI Review

Original request 202400426487 MSP Claire Haughey What's App messages from her ministerial position during the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400430870 Review of 202400426487
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Shona Robison's Covid 19 WhatsApp messages: FOI Review

Original request 202400427831 MSP Shona Robison's What's App messages from her ministerial position during the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI202400430842 Review of 202400427831
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Former Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice WhatsApp messages during Covid-19 pandemic: FOI release

Aileen Campbell's Covid 19 WhatsApp messages.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400436351
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Director General for Strategy & External Affairs WhatsApp messages during Covid-19 pandemic: FOI release

Joe Griffin's Covid WhatsApp messages.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400436352
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Former Minister for Mental Health WhatsApp messages from February 2020 to February 2021: FOI release

1. Requesting Clare Haughey's WhatsApp messages from February 2020 to February 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400438990
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Former Director General for Education and Justice WhatsApp messages during Covid-19 pandemic: FOI release

I wish to make a Freedom of Information Request for the following individuals WhatsApp messages from the Covid 19 pandemic. Paul Johnston.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence whatsapp s.25(1) 10 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400439469
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Mairi McAllan's WhatsApp messages during the Covid-19 pandemic: FOI Review

Original request: 202400435281 You asked for Mairi McAllan's WhatsApp messages from the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 78 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-25
Reference: FOI/202400436608 Review of 202400435281
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

National newspaper spend: FOI release

1. The total value of news subscriptions paid for the National newspaper by the Scottish Government in 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 so far. Where possible, please breakdown these payments by the directorate responsible for paying these subscriptions too. 2. Of the media monitoring services the Scottish Government pays...

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending

Published: 2025-03-19
Reference: FOI/202500452859
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Eid Mubarak celebration at Edinburgh Castle: FOI release

Correspondence held by the Scottish Government, including all sent/received and internal, briefing notes, minutes/notes from meetings, about the Eid Mubarak celebration at Edinburgh Castle, funded by the government, between April 1 and May 1 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 120 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.32(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-18
Reference: FOI/202400432000
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Access to Information Rights in Scotland: FOI release

You set your request in context by referencing the Scottish Government’s response to the Access to Information Rights in Scotland consultation: Access to Information Rights in Scotland Response to analysis of consultation responses published in November 2023, noting the following commitments made by the Scottish Govern...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.4 s.6 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.36(1) s.29(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-03-18
Reference: FOI/202500450915
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Briefing materials provided to Ministers for appearances at Scottish Parliament portfolio questions sessions: FOI release

All briefing materials provided to Ministers for appearances at Scottish Parliament portfolio questions sessions on 5 February 2025. I mean to refer to briefing materials compiled or given at any time in the current Scottish Parliamentary term, but to narrow down these materials to just those provided for Portfolio Que...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-18
Reference: FOI/202500451876
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support 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

Specific Scottish Government electronic purchasing cards (ePC) charges: FOI Review

Original request: 202400437794 1) All the purchases on the Scottish Government electronic purchasing cards from September 2023 onwards which relates to expenditure directly for Scottish Ministers. For example, expenditure related to their personal travel, accommodation, food, items for their ministerial office etc. Pl...

FOI not held 70 score correspondence ministers spending s.3 s.4 s.5 s.6 s.21(4) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-12
Reference: FOI/202500450004 Review of 202400437795
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government advertising spend on social media platform X: FOI release

A record of all spending by the Scottish Government and associated departments on any advertising on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) since October 27th, 2022. Please break this down by month and from which project and/or department.

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2025-03-12
Reference: FOI/202500451618
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Parliamentary question costs: FOI release

How much does it cost in 2024-25 for Scottish Government officials to respond to one parliamentary question? How much did it cost in 2023-24 for Scottish Government officials to respond to one parliamentary question?

FOI unclear 55 score 11 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-03-04
Reference: FOI/202500452185
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Freedom of Information publications and reasons for non-publication: FOI release

A full list of all FOISA request reference numbers for 2021-2025 including the date of publication of the response on the Scottish Government Website, and a separate list of all FOISA publications which have been responded to by the requestor but not published and the reason for nonpublication.

FOI/EIR released 100 score 20 working days correspondence s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-03-04
Reference: FOI/202500450423
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Advertising and public information campaign queries: FOI release

1. A list of all government-funded advertising or public information campaigns that were abandoned before launch between 2019 and the present. 2. The total cost incurred for each abandoned campaign, including but not limited to media planning, creative development, consultancy fees, and production costs. 3. The reaso...

FOI unclear 55 score 15 working days correspondence spending s.3

Published: 2025-02-25
Reference: FOI/202500450714
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial salary information: FOI release

I am responding to the following three of the your 17 questions: 9. For year 2023 - provide the salary breakdown of each Scottish Ministers and any increases that were allocated and to whom and the amount 10. For year 2024 - provide the salary breakdown of Scottish Ministers and any increases that were allocated and ...

FOI unclear 55 score 7 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)

Published: 2025-02-24
Reference: FOI/202500451978
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Media requests from broadcasters to interview Scottish Government Ministers: FOI release

A list of how many media requests were made by broadcasters to speak to Scottish Government Ministers between December 1 2024 and the date of this FOI, and whether they were rejected and accepted, the Minister wanted and the reasons for acceptance and rejection.

FOI released 100 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-21
Reference: FOI/202500449172
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Freedom of Information requests received regarding ministerial trip to Scottish League Cup Final: FOI release

How many FOI requests about Neil Gray's ministerial trip to the Scottish League Cup Final on December 17 have been made, and how many were registered as sensitive and were sent to Special Advisers for comment and onwards to Ministers for clearance? Could you supply each of these "sensitive" FOI requests, who they went...

FOI unclear 50 score 4 working days correspondence ministers special advisers

Published: 2025-02-20
Reference: FOI/202500451289
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Freedom of Information request queries: FOI release

1. In case the Scottish Government does not currently have resources to answer all of the questions to a Freedom of Information request, what questions does the Scottish Government select from the request? Will the questions be answered in order, or will only the easiest questions be answered, or anything else? 2. How...

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence briefings s.14 s.60 s.20

Published: 2025-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500447643
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cost of First Minister's trip to France for D-Day commemorations: FOI release

A full breakdown of the costs of John Swinney heading to France for D-Day commemoration, including money spent on civil servants and people who accompanied him.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 13 working days correspondence ministers spending s.39(1)

Published: 2025-02-18
Reference: FOI/202500449160
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Redaction training on Consultations: FOI release

1. The training materials used to instruct staff in the redaction of consultations, including the threshold at which comments are to be redacted for being: Inappropriate or offensive content that might be harmful to others Inflammatory or likely to result in distress and alarm Criticism of colleagues, teams, business ...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence contracts s.3 s.2 s.25(1)

Published: 2025-02-14
Reference: FOI/202500447203
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and Elon Musk: FOI release

Any emails sent by Scottish government special advisers which mention Elon Musk between January 1st and today, January 7th. Any emails sent by Scottish government media officers (press officers) which mention Elon Musk between January 1st and today, January 7th. Any emails sent by, or on behalf of, Scottish government ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.32(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-02-14
Reference: FOI/202500446991
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Requests for First Minister to appear on podcasts: FOI release

A full list of requests for First Ministers to appear on podcasts in 2022, 2023, 2024, along with the name of the podcast and whether it was accepted or not, and reason why it was rejected.

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

Published: 2025-02-14
Reference: FOI/202500446688
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector