Covid-19: Our published information

In recognition of the strong public interest in information on the response by Scottish public authorities to the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, and the role of openness and transparency in strengthening public trust, the Commissioner will publish below relevant information that explains or informs our own response to the pandemic.

The Commissioner encourages other Scottish public authorities to publish information proactively where it would help to inform service-users and communities about their own response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Publication will support the public to be as informed as possible about this vital issue, while also helping to reduce the future impact for organisations of responding to requests for information on related matters.

We will continue to update the information on this page as the situation changes and new information becomes available.

Additional information on the Commissioner's response to the pandemic is available via the published minutes of our Senior Management Team (where it is technically possible to publish these), our Covid-19 Information Hub and our Latest News pages.

Information we have published

30 June 2020: Email to all Scottish public authorities regarding April - June 2020 FOI statistics
Email sent to FOI contacts at all Scottish public authorities, alerting them to next deadline for FOI and EIR statistical submissions. Also highlights temporary additional guidance issued regarding taking account of changes to FOI law during reporting period, and answers to supplementary questions required.
22 June 2020: Updated documents on the Briefings page
The Briefings and Guidance page on our website now contains the two guidance documents on "Determining the effects of the coronavirus" and updated versions of the Commissioner's Responding to Information Requests procedure and the Investigations Handbook.
8 June 2020: Email to all Scottish public authorities regarding new guidance and SIC services
Email sent to FOI contacts at all Scottish public authorities, alerting them to new guidance about how the recent changes to the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act and the FOI Act affect requests for information or review which were responded to between 7 April and 26 May 2020. Also gave an update on the Commissioner's office closure and services.
29 May 2020: Legal advice on the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020
Legal advice received by the Commissioner on the interpretation of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 as amended by the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020.
28 May 2020: Email to authorities regarding updated guidance for amended Coronavirus Act
Follow-up email to all public authority FOI contacts advising that the Coronavirus No.2 Act is now in force and the guidance in the Commissioner's FOI and Covid-19 Infohub has been updated to reflect the changes made.
25 May 2020: Email to all Scottish public authorities regarding Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill
Email sent to FOI contacts at all Scottish public authorities advising them of the changes made to FOI by the Coronavirus (Scotland) No.2 Bill passed by the Scottish Parliament, with a further update to follow once the Commissioner's detailed guidance has been updated.
14 May 2020: Technical note regarding Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill and potential amendments
Email sent to members of Scottish Parliament Covid-19 Committee and Mr Michael Russell MSP, regarding importance of clear transitional provisions for any changes made to Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 by Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill. See also an addition to the technical note regarding the provision for transmitting notices by electronic means.
14 May 2020: Minute of internal meeting regarding Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill
Record of internal teleconference meeting held to discuss references during Stage 1 parliamentary debate of Bill to potential amendments impacting Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 and Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
8 May 2020: Further response to Neil Findlay MSP
Additional response to the information requests made by Mr Findlay in his letter of 20 April.
7 May 2020: Response to request for Coronavirus Act correspondence
Information disclosed by the Commissioner in response to requests relating to our contact with the Scottish Government on the FOI provisions in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020. Includes details of 28 communications which took place between 4 March and 16 April 2020. Personal telephone numbers and the names of junior Scottish Government officials have been redacted from the disclosed information. Otherwise, these communications have been disclosed in full.
30 April 2020: Response to Neil Findlay MSP - Information Request Response
Response to the information request contained in Mr Findlay's letter of 20 April.
29 April 2020: Response to Neil Findlay MSP
Scottish Information Commissioner's response to letter from Neil Findlay MSP of 20 April.
20 April 2020: Letter from Neil Findlay MSP
Letter received from Neil Findlay MSP regarding Coronavirus (Scotland) Act, and acknowledgement response. The letter included a request by Mr Findlay for information held by the Commissioner.
16 April 2020: Email to all Scottish public authorities re. infohub launch and statistics return
Email to FOI contacts at all Scottish public authorities advising of the launch of the FOI and Covid-19 infohub, with detailed guidance on the effects of the changes made in the emergency legislation, and also the latest on statistics returns.
15 April 2020: How the Commissioner will respond to FOI requests during office closure as a result of Covid-19
The Scottish Information Commissioner's policy on responding to requests for information and review during the pandemic.
8 April 2020: Legal advice on the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020
Legal advice received by the Commissioner on the interpretation of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020.
6 April 2020: Email to Scottish public authorities regarding Coronavirus (Scotland) Act and extension of office closure
Email from the Commissioner's office advising of the changes made to FOI by the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act with detailed guidance to follow, and also advising of the extension of the office premises closure.
31 March 2020: Briefing to the Scottish Parliament on the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill
Briefing to Members of the Scottish Parliament to inform their consideration of the FOI provisions in the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill.
31 March 2020: Letter from Penny Curtis (Scottish Government)
Letter from Penny Curtis of the Scottish Government regarding the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill.
25 March 2020: Correspondence with the Scottish Government FOI Unit regarding potential changes to FOI law
Email correspondence with the Scottish Government's FOI Unit in relation to the FOI provisions of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill.
23 March 2020: Correspondence with John Lamont MP
Letter received from John Lamont MP calling on the Commissioner to amend FOI timescales, and the response sent.
18 March 2020: Email to all Scottish public authorities re. temporary office closure
Email from the Commissioner's office informing all Scottish public authorities of the temporary closure of the Commissioner's office premises.
13 March 2020: Email to all Scottish public authorities regarding FOI timescales
Email from the Commissioner's office to FOI contacts at all Scottish public authorities stating the current position regarding FOI timescales and the impact of the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic.

Further information

Covid-19 and FOI: Information Hub >>>

The Covid-19 emergency changes to FOI law in Scotland >>>

Guidance for public authorities on FOI during the Covid-19 pandemic >>>

Making an information request during the Covid-19 pandemic >>>

News Icon Latest news on FOI during the Covid-19 pandemic >>>

We will continue to update the information on these pages as the situation changes and new information becomes available.

Our office is currently closed but if you have an urgent query please contact us.

This page was last updated on 30 June 2020.