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

List of all job titles in the Honours and Protocols Team: FOI review

Original request 202500484832 1. The list of all job titles in the Honours and Protocols Team 2. The current management structure (organogram or similar) of the ‘Honours and Protocols Team’, no staff personal names are required however job titles would be appreciated 3. Current job descriptions of those roles in the...

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

Published: 2026-01-20
Reference: FOI/202500488756 Review of 202500484832
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

British Business Awards dinner information: FOI release

1) The full guest list of the event attended by the Deputy First Minister on 18 June 2025 with Anas Sarwar and Lord Haughey. 2) Whether any Scottish Government officials accompanied the Deputy First Minister at this dinner. Please also provide any notes or minutes held by the Scottish Government that documented what h...

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

Published: 2026-01-19
Reference: FOI/202500486908
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Ministerial and Special Adviser private office structure: FOI release

For each of the following: Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs’ Private Office Minister for Victims and Community Safety’s Private Office Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans’ Private Office Special Advisers’ (SpAds) Private Office Please provide: A breakdown of all posts/roles within each off...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 7 working days correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-19
Reference: FOI/202500490036
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence sent or received by the Housing Secretary: FOI release

Please provide the following information between the dates of 11th June and 14th June 2025: All correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) sent or received by the Housing Secretary. All information should include, but not be limited to, a detail...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 94 working days over deadline correspondence whatsapp 4 attachments

Published: 2026-01-19
Reference: FOI/202500472618
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Raising of the Palestinian flag outside St Andrew’s House: FOI release

This should be treated as a single request and not aggregated with others. Please supply all items of information held by the Scottish Government related to the decision to raise the Palestinian flag outside St Andrew's House on 3 September 2025. https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/searc...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.30 s.36(1) s.33(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2026-01-14
Reference: FOI/202500484291
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Building, planning and design, Public sector

List of all job titles in the Honours and Protocols Team: FOI release

1. The list of all job titles in the Honours and Protocols Team 2. The current management structure (organogram or similar) of the ‘Honours and Protocols Team’, no staff personal names are required however job titles would be appreciated 3. Current job descriptions of those roles in the Honours and Protocols Team, ex...

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

Published: 2026-01-14
Reference: FOI/202500484832
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government social media subscriptions and advertising spend: FOI release

You asked how much money has the Scottish Government spent on i) advertising and ii) subscriptions, upgrades or memberships for the following social media platforms: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Tik Tok, Instagram, LinkedIn And could this be broken down by the following financial years: 2024/25, 2023/24, 2022/23

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-01-14
Reference: FOI/202500487900
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Special adviser expenses: FOI release

The details of the special adviser expenses that were published by the Scottish Government here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/special-advisers-gifts-hospitality-media-meetings-and-expenses-april-june-2025/ By details, I mean what accommodation was booked, where the accommodation was, what iExpenses refers to and ...

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence special advisers meetings spending

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500486812
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Communications regarding members of the Scottish Parliament: FOI release

1) Any communications - including texts, WhatsApps, emails, Teams messages, or any other sort of written communications - from Wednesday September 17 to Wednesday September 24 on the topic of Jamie Hepburn. 2) Any communications - including texts, WhatsApps, emails, Teams messages, or any other sort of written communi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500486016
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Cabinet sub-committees meeting dates: FOI release

You asked for the dates of the last three meetings of each of the following Cabinet sub-committees: Legislation Local Government New Deal Climate Emergency The Promise Child Poverty Investment and Economy

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence meetings

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOi/202500487352
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Scottish Ministers attending events involving the King or the Royal Family: FOI release

“Please provide any correspondence, internal notes, or briefing material discussing decisions by Scottish Ministers on whether to attend or not attend events involving the King or Royal Family since 2024.”

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

Published: 2026-01-13
Reference: FOI/202500486398
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Independence papers advertising spend: FOI release

Details of how much money has been spent by the Scottish Government on advertising their Papers on Independence, broken down per platform.

FOI unclear 50 score 4 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: FOI/202500487075
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government's Your Right to Decide research paper digital advertising costs: FOI release

The cost of digital advertising promoting the Scottish Government's Your Right to Decide research paper on online platforms (including but not limited to LinkedIn, Meta, Google).

FOI unclear 50 score 2 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: FOI/202500488760
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government spend on social media advertising to promote “Your Right to Decide": FOI release

How much the Scottish Government spent on social media advertising to promote the constitutional paper published on 4 September 2025 entitled “Your Right to Decide” and asked that costs were broken down by spending on different social media platforms. You also asked for details on any other spending on advertising/mark...

FOI unclear 50 score 3 working days correspondence spending

Published: 2026-01-12
Reference: FOI/202500485197
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Advertising costs from the last 5 years on STV North: FOI release

How much a) the Scottish Government, and b) Scottish Government Executive Agencies, have spent in each of the last five financial years - a) 2024-2025, b) 2023-2024, c) 2022-2023, d) 2021-2022, and e) 2020-2021 - on advertising with STV North [described by STV Commercial as North (Aberdeen and Dundee)].

FOI withheld 55 score 6 working days correspondence contracts spending s.33 s.33(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2026-01-08
Reference: FOI/202500487213
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Permission to seek nomination as Aberdeen Central candidate for the 2026 election correspondence: FOI release

All internal correspondence (including by direct messaging application) and notes of phone calls or meetings (in person or virtual) discussing Jack Middleton’s request for permission to seek the nomination to become the SNP’s candidate in Aberdeen Central at the 2026 election for the Scottish Parliament.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence meetings whatsapp 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-07
Reference: FOI/202500484041
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information related to Scottish Information Commissioner decision notice: FOI release

1. What is the name of the individual whose role in the redaction process of the Hamilton Report was under investigation by the Scottish Information Commissioner and who wrote a signed statement to the Commissioner's office, as noted in Decision Notice 144/2025 and pages 15-18 of the below FOI release? 2. Why has this...

FOI transferred 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.6 4 attachments

Published: 2026-01-06
Reference: FOI/202500480860
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Former First Minister’s engagements and financial transactions with NEON (New Economy Organisers Network): FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I am requesting the following information regarding Nicola Sturgeon’s engagements and any financial transactions with NEON (New Economy Organisers Network) during her tenure as First Minister of Scotland (from November 20, 2014, to March 28, 2023) or in any official...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2026-01-06
Reference: FOI/202500482305
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Consultation queries: FOI release

Information relating to consultations over the last 5 years. In particular, information relating to: The average time taken over the last 5 years between closing a consultation and publishing an analysis of responses, as well as publishing the responses themselves The longest time taken, over the last 5 years, between...

FOI not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.12(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-24
Reference: FOI/202500483584
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government legal fees contesting Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

How much has the Scottish Government spent on defending itself against the Scottish Information Commissioner over the last five years, with a breakdown per year and what the money was spent on?

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2025-12-10
Reference: FOI/202500483660
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Raising of Palestinian flag on Scottish Government buildings: FOI Review

Original Request - 202500483555 “Publish all correspondence (including those of the First Minister and his advisors and “spin doctors”) relating to the raising of the Palestinian flag. These communications should include all warnings and impact assessments done into the repercussions (especially from the Jewish/Israel...

FOI not held 70 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-10
Reference: FOI/202500488559 Review of 202500483555
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Correspondence between Novara Media and Scottish Government: FOI release

You asked for records relating to any connections, interactions, or links between the Scottish Government (including its ministers, officials, and departments), Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), and Novara Media (a UK-based media organization, also known as Novara Media Ltd or operating under the trading name ...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-09
Reference: FOI/202500482885
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Hybrid working policy alignment with climate commitments, infrastructure Costs, and senior leadership discussion: EIR release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I am requesting access to materials regarding the Scottish Government’s hybrid working arrangements, their alignment with Scotland’s climate targets, and associated infrastructure costs. I am particularly focused on how internal discussion has evolved under differen...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.3 s.4 s.6 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.10(5) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-09
Reference: EIR/202500478223
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector, Work and skills

Eid Al-Fitr reception correspondence and hosting costs: FOI release

“Could you supply the full costs of John Swinney hosting the Eid Al-Fitr gathering on April 14, with a breakdown of costs? Could you also supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government surrounding this event, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefi...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 19 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending 2 attachments

Published: 2025-12-09
Reference: FOI/202500481337
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Expenditure and authorisation of Palestinian and Israeli Flags: FOI release

Please provide the following information for the period 1 January 2024 to 5 September 2025: 1. The total expenditure by the Scottish Government on purchasing or displaying Palestinian flags. This should include, but not be limited to, the Palestinian flags that were raised in front of Scottish Government buildings suc...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence meetings spending s.3 s.30 s.36(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2025-12-08
Reference: FOI/202500483502
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector