Cost of dirt-digging Freedom of Information requests by Press, BBC Scotland and opposition party researchers, surge to around £2bn in one year as we approach Scottish Elction in May 2026

Professor John Robertson OBA

From: Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information (FOI) compliance statistics: FOI release published yesterday, the above graph reveals a massive surge in FOIs answered by Scottish Government staff from the last Holyrood election and as we approach the next:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202500482087/

A surge of around 60% from 2021 to 2024 and 20% in the year from 2024 to 2025.

What is the cost?

Between £300 and £450 per request so between £1.7bn to £2.5bn in total for 2024 alone

https://www.gov.scot/publications/freedom-information-scotland-act-2002-information-request-handling-annual-report-2019/pages/6/

Who is making the requests?

Not revealed but we’ve all see the regular ‘reveals’ by BBC Scotland and the press especially Connor Matchett, based on FOI requests by members of the opposition parties, the Press, and by BBC Scotland itself

Why?

Fishing for SNP-bad news and if it’s not there massaging the data to suit their agenda.

For the many reported here: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=Freedom+of+Information

5 thoughts on “Cost of dirt-digging Freedom of Information requests by Press, BBC Scotland and opposition party researchers, surge to around £2bn in one year as we approach Scottish Elction in May 2026”

  2. why doesn’t the Scots Gov and agencies charge the BBC and the rest of the so called Scottish media for there FOI requests?

    I believe they are entitled to do so.

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  3. FOI’s are BBC Scotland’s go to method for ”news ” gathering .

    Well, I suppose this is understandable when you consider the quality of their ”journalists” , such as HMS James ( I have seen the email) Cook !

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  4. ALL FOI SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY APPLICANTS IN ADVANCE

    IF OR WHEN THESE APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED

    IF APPLICATION IS PROVEN ALL MONIES WILL BE RETURNED !!!!!!

    NO MORE FREEBEES TROUBLE MAKERS

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