Publication - FOI/EIR release

Sensitive and routine Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

Published: 12 May 2026
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector
FOI reference: FOI/202600513776
Date received: 4 April 2026
Date responded: 22 April 2026

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Information requested

In reference to the express article linked here: https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-special-advisers-oversawhundreds-35647218

1) How many FOI requests from January 16th 2025 to January 15th 2026 were deemed "routine"

2) How many FOI requests from January 16th 2025 to January 15th 2026 were deemed "sensitive" and sent to SPADs and/or ministers?

Response

The answer to your question is:

1) From January 16th 2025 to January 15th 2026, 5227 cases were deemed routine

2) From January 16th 2025 to January 15th 2026, 282 cases were deemed sensitive and sent to SpAds and/or Ministers.

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.

Contact

Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000

The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

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