Information request handling: annual report 2018

2018 annual report on the handling of information requests made to the Scottish Government under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004.


Internal reviews

Background

Where an applicant is dissatisfied with the way in which the Scottish Government has dealt with a request for information they may ask us to carry out an internal review. Of the requests received, only 9% resulted in an internal review being requested.

Number of review requests received

In total, 335 reviews were received by the Scottish Government in 2018. 297 review requests were made under FOISA and 38 were made under the EIRs.

Reviews Total
Director-General Constitution and External Affairs 47
Director-General Economy 94
Director-General Education, Communities and Justice 89
Director-General Health & Social Care 12
Director-General Organisational Development and Operations 37
Director-General Scottish Exchequer 2
Ministerial Private Offices 54
Total 335

Composition of applicants

The following graph breaks down the source of requests for an internal review.

Pie Chart: Composition of applicants

Performance

The majority (82%) of all requests for review received in 2018 were responded to on time. Of the 335 reviews received, 275 were answered on time and 60 were late.

Reviews No Reviews No Reviews On Time No Reviews Late % Reviews Late
Director-General Constitution and External Affairs 47 44 3 94%
Director-General Economy 94 73 21 78%
Director-General Education, Communities and Justice 89 75 14 84%
Director-General Health & Social Care 12 7 5 58%
Director-General Organisational Development and Operations 37 24 13 65%
Director-General Scottish Exchequer 2 2 0 100%
Ministerial Private Offices 54 50 4 93%
Total 335 275 60 82%

Outcome of reviews

The following graph sets out the outcome of requests for an internal review. The initial decision was upheld or partially upheld in 83% of cases.

Bar Chart: Outcome of reviews

Contact

Email: foi@gov.scot

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