News releases and press statements

The Commissioner's office issues news releases and press statements on a range of issues including key decisions and new publications. All news releases are published on this page. If you have any questions about any of these, contact the Commissioner's Media Team.

2017
28 September 2017	New approach to FOI enforcement begins to bite
30 April 2017	Commissioner calls for radical rethink on freedom of information
2016
21 December 2016	Launch of New FOI tool (voluntary sector appeals)
21 December 2016	Launch of New FOI tool (local media)
28 September 2016	Report highlights FOI improvements - and some concerns
4 July 2016	Public authorities receive mixed report on publication
30 March 2016	Commissioner's statement on the issuing of decisions

2015
25 September 2015	Commissioner warns: use the right legislation
7 July 2015	Press statement: Seal killing information
17 February 2015	Press statement: Correspondence between the Commissioner and Police Scotland on stop and search data
19 January 2015	Parliament warned that action is needed to protect FOI

2014
11 December 2014	Public support for FOI reaches all-time high
30 September 2014	Slight drop in freedom of information appeals
07 August 2014	Failure to respond to information requests threatens to undermine Scotland’s FOI regime
19 March 2014	Commissioner publishes decision on Lanarkshire mental health services correspondence

2013
13 October 2013	New strategic framework shows the way for FOI Learning and Development in Scotland
25 October 2013	Study finds awareness is high but confidence is dipping
15 October 2013	First national dataset reveals extent of FOI activity in Scotland
07 October 2013	Commissioner publishes second Stihler decision on legal advice
1 October 2013	Concern over rise in FOI failures
29 July 2013	Commissioner welcomes Supreme Court ruling on Council pay data
10 June 2013	Commissioner welcomes move to bring culture and leisure bodies under FOI
3 May 2013	Commissioner publishes findings of learning and development survey
29 April 2013	Press statement on the Enforcement of Decision 193/2012
26 April 2013	Commissioner's statement on release of Project Power and Project Solar Reports
1 April 2013	Commissioner updates guidance on dealing with vexatious requests
31 January 2013	Commissioner to urge Ministers to take their own course on FOI

2012
29 November 2012	Commissioner publishes information relating to Stihler decision
28 November 2012	Commissioner welcomes freedom of information proposals
23 October 2012	Commissioner welcomes Government's decision to abandon appeal
18 September 2012	Call for better freedom of information as appeal numbers rise
14 September 2012	Commissioner requires the disclosure of information about funding proposals
11 July 2012	Press statement on Decision 111/2012 Ms Catherine Stihler MEP and the Scottish Ministers
6 July 2012	Research reveals that voluntary sector still has concerns about FOI use
5 July 2012	Commissioner recommends UHI improves FOI practice
12 June 2012	Commissioner issues first decisions: Valuable lessons to be learned
25 May 2012	Dundee seminar explores whether time is right for change to FOI laws
22 February 2012	Commissioner criticises "catalogue of failings" at NHS Ayrshire and Arran
10 January 2012	"Safeguard information rights" says Commissioner in last report

2011
16 December 2011	Commissioner calls for FOI rights to be strengthened as survey reveals strong public support
7 November 2011	New local datasets on public authority FOI appeals published
3 November 2011	"Freedom of Information in Scotland in Practice" is launched
2 November 2011	FOI more important than ever in tough times ahead
1 September 2011	Press statement: Commissioner found that request to Stirling University was not vexatious
8 July 2011	Festival-goers invited to embrace freedom of information in the age of new media
10 June 2011	Freedom of Information Roadshow Heads to Dumfries & Galloway
19 April 2011	New one stop shop guidance on freedom of information launches today
8 March 2011	FOI requests increase, but information is more likely to be disclosed

2010
15 December 2010	Spending cuts likely to drive public to make more use of their FOI rights
7 December 2010	Scottish Borders Council turns FOI compliance around
19 November 2010	Statement on Decision 190/2010 Thomas Smith and the Scottish Ministers
17 November 2010	FOI Roadshow Heads to Inverness
5 November 2010	5th Anniversary FOI Campaign wins two CIPR awards
7 September 2010	Commissioner unveils fresh approach to publishing information
22 August 2010	Freedom of Information at the Festival of Politics
30 July 2010	1000th FOI decision requires release of government meeting data
29 July 2010	Commissioner welcomes Government consultation
22 July 2010	Freedom of Information takes centre stage at festival
29 June 2010	Commissioner orders release of Shirley McKie case information
11 March 2010	Commissioner concerned over voluntary sector FOI use
8 March 2010	Commissioner marks launch of Annual Report with a challenge to public authorities to "think FOI"
4 January 2010	Commissioner marks 5th Anniversary of freedom of information with call to authorities not to keep people in the dark about their rights

2009
8 December 2009	Commissioner welcomes Ministerial announcement
24 November 2009	Survey finds public confused over information rights
9 March 2009	Commissioner calls on Scottish public sector leaders to push the boundaries of openness
9 March 2009	Launch of new freedom of information resources for the voluntary sector
8 February 2009	Lord Wallace calls for extension of the FOI Act
27 January 2009	Lord Wallace opens new Centre for Freedom of Information

2008
17 December 2008	Awareness of Freedom of Information continues to grow
17 December 2008	Freedom of Information awareness remains lower within key groups
10 December 2008	Public favours extension of freedom of information rights
28 September 2008	Launch of research study marks Right to Know Day
3 September 2008	Commissioner orders release of Glasgow tender information
9 July 2008	Commissioner welcomes House of Lords opinion
30 June 2008	Commissioner welcomes Minister's announcement
28 May 2008	Scottish Information Commissioner to tackle any persistent failings by Scottish public authorities
21 May 2008	Study to explore low use of freedom of information by voluntary groups
11 March 2008	Commissioner urges people from all backgrounds to be more aware of their rights to access information
11 March 2008	Commissioner wants older people to be more aware of their rights to access information
11 March 2008	Commissioner wants young people to be more aware of their rights to access information
10 March 2008	Annual Report 2007 published first comprehensive data on Freedom of Information appeals
7 March 2008	Commissioner welcomes release of Reliance contract
20 February 2008	Court of Session rules on Enterprise Act case
28 January 2008	Commissioner reappointed

2007
19 November 2007	Public awareness of FOI is high - but some groups may be lagging behind, warns Commissioner
25 October 2007	Commissioner calls for public right to information to be protected when public services are privatised
24 October 2007	Scottish Information Commissioner orders release of NHS Lothian PFI contract
1 October 2007	500th decision orders release of unsolved murder file
28 September 2007	Scotland rises to the challenge of freedom of information...but more can be done
5 July 2007	New Website Opens Doors to Freedom of Information
21 June 2007	Commissioner orders release of contract information
8 March 2007	Launch of Scottish Information Commissioner's Annual Report 2006-07
24 January 2007	Commissioner welcomes Court ruling in landmark freedom of information case
16 January 2007	Commissioner requires release of information from Wick Harbour death report

2006
1 December 2006	Court of Session upholds Commissioner's Decision
20 November 2006	The Act is working - but has the culture changed?
27 September 2006	Freedom of Information a success in Scotland
25 September 2006	Commissioner requires disclosure of information on the detention of children at Dungavel
22 September 2006	Scots embrace freedom of information

2005
8 December 2005	Scottish Information Commissioner rules that mortality rates for all surgeons in Scotland should be released
1 December 2005	Third survey shows increased public awareness of freedom of information
7 October 2005	Scottish Information Commissioner rules that Conservative Parliamentary leader?s taxi destinations should be released
16 August 2005	Scottish Information Commissioner upholds appeal over the release of childhood leukaemia statistics
23 June 2005	Commissioner publishes report on Scottish Executive search for records relating to institutional children?s homes and education.
23 May 2005	Freedom of Information gets off to a flying start.
14 February 2005	Commissioner launches public Right to Know campaign.

2004
22 December 2004	New year means new rights as freedom of information law comes into effect.
20 December 2004	Research reveals authorities need to do more for freedom of information.
24 November 2004	Scottish Prison Service can withhold Reliance contract details.
9 September 2004	Journalists expected to take advantage of new information rights.
27 August 2004	Commissioner to address St Andrews residents.
22 August 2004	Scottish Information Commissioner concludes first case under open government code.
2 June 2004	Central and local government open their files to the public.

2003
17 November 2003	Authorities seek guidance on 2005 FOI compliance
29 October 2003	Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner opens in St Andrews.