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

Information requested

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 the number of those FOIs which came back for review overall. Again this is an FOI review.

Response

I disclose below a copy of all the information you requested.

For Question One, I have interpreted your request as seeking the total number of FOI/EIR cases handled by Ministerial Private Office (MPO) staff, and, of those, how many proceeded to an FOI review in 2025. In 2025, the Ministerial Private Office handled 146 FOI/EIR cases, 11 of which proceeded to review.

For Question Two, I have interpreted your request as seeking the total number of FOI/EIR cases received by the Scottish Government in 2025, and, of those, how many subsequently proceeded to FOI review. In 2025, the Scottish Government received 6,761 FOI/EIR cases, of which 501 reached the review stage.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.