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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 15h

Want to join the Commissioner’s team in an interesting and varied role? We’re recruiting for a Business Support Manager, to find out more, visit:

www.foi.scot/current-vaca...

Vacancy for Business Support Manager at the Scottish Information Commissioner based in St. Andrews

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 1d

Scotland’s FOI law hits global recognition with a score of 103 from @law-democracy.bsky.social! 🎉To read more about this achievement take a look at our newsletter: tinyurl.com/SeptFOINews

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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 2d

🎉 The eCase FOI Awards are back for 2026! 🎉
Know a person or team who goes above and beyond in FOI? Nominations are now open and winners will be celebrated at #FOI26.
👉 Nominate today at ecasefoiawards.co.uk

Purple background with text: "eCase FOI Awards 2026. eCaseFOIAwards.co.uk"

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 2d

Read all about it 📢 The #FOIReform Bill is now being considered by the Scottish Parliament. To read our summary of the proposed changes and how you can impact the Bill visit: 👉 tinyurl.com/SeptFOINews
#FOI #Scotland #Newsletter

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 5d

More than 100k FOI requests were made to Scottish public authorities last year - a landmark first. 📊 Discover where those requests went and more in our latest #newsletter 👉 tinyurl.com/SeptFOINews
#FOI #Scotland #Newsletter

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 6d

At last week’s SPIF event, @cfoiscot.bsky.social shared messages from around the world congratulating Scotland on 20 years of FOI! Read the messages below – and remember you can have your say on the FOI Reform Bill until 22 Oct 👉 tinyurl.com/FOIReform

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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 6d

True or false? 🤔 The Scottish Information Commissioner can attempt to reach an agreement between the authority and the requester before going to a Decision Notice? For the answer, visit our September edition of our #newsletter 👉 tinyurl.com/SeptFOINews
#FOI #Scotland

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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 7d

📢 Have your say! The Scottish Parliament is scrutinising the FOI Reform Bill, and they need your views – should authorities pause deadlines for clarification? Should the First Minister have a veto?
Submit your views by 22 October 2025 👇 tinyurl.com/FOIReform

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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 7d

🥁 Drum roll… introducing the @ecase.co.uk FOI Awards 2026! 🏆 Nominations are now open - a chance to celebrate the teams, individuals & authorities making a difference in FOI. Find out how to nominate in our latest #newsletter 👉 tinyurl.com/SeptFOINews
#FOI #Scotland #FOIAwards

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 8d

🗞️Hot off the press! Our latest newsletter is out - covering #FOI Reform Bill updates, the launch of the eCase Awards 2026 and Scotland’s FOI law achieving success in international ratings… What are you waiting for? Visit: tinyurl.com/SeptFOINews
#FOIReform #Newsletter

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

RECAP | FOI works but suggests the need for improvement and culture change. Proactive publication would benefit requesters and authorities.
When info is easy to access, fewer requests are needed. Help shape the future of FOI - have your say by 22/10 👉 tinyurl.com/FOIReform

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

Current SIC, David Hamilton said that FOI law is working, and we are in the upper rankings in the world in the Centre for Law and Democracy’s RTI ratings. 81% of requests come from the public & 75% get some/all the info. Interventions enable SIC to drive change from the top.

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

Ex-Commissioner Daren Fitzhenry said he takes a glass half full view: the real-life practice of FOI is often better than the law itself. Most requests get answered - with some or all info given at the time of asking, with no appeal needed. See the breakdown 👉 foi.scot/statistics

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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

Rosemary Agnew - current Human Rights Commissioner & former SIC - said Scotland’s FOI was once a world-leading model for others. But other countries learned, improved & raised the bar. Time for Scotland to catch up? Reform Bill views due 22 Oct 👉 tinyurl.com/FOIReform

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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

The 1st Commissioner, Kevin Dunion, shared his ‘3 C’s’ for FOI: Compulsion, Compliance & Culture. Laws alone aren’t enough - compliance matters. But the real driver is culture: requesters trusting they’ll get info, and senior leaders championing FOI.

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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

At SPIF we welcomed the full line-up of past-and-present Scottish Information Commissioners. Their debate centred on one big question: Will Scotland become a global FOI leader? 🌍

Ex Commissioners, Kevin Dunion, Rosemary Agnew, Daren Fitzhenry and current Commissioner David Hamilton sitting alongside Lord Tankerness and MSP Katy Clark at Scottish Parliament.

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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

For more information on all the changes that are recommended, visit our summary 👉 foi.scot/foi-reform-bill-summary-provisions
#SPIF #FOI #Scotland #FOIReform

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

The Bill also mirrors provisions in the Data Protection Act to ensure there is a designated FOI officer to aid in a culture change that supports organisations comply with their statutory duties.

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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

MSP @katysclark.bsky.social summarised the FOI Reform Bill and the process it needs to take going through Parliament. She highlighted the proposed measures to speed up the designation of bodies that hold contracts for public services.

Scottish Public Information Forum September 2025. Recap. Hosted by the Campaign for FOI in Scotland.

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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

He warned FOI risks being seen as a ceiling not a floor of transparency. The FOI Reform Bill closes loopholes that he believes some authorities have used in the past - share your views on the Bill by 22 Oct 👉 tinyurl.com/FOIReform

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

"FOI lets the media better inform the public” said @thecourieruk ‘s David Clegg at SPIF. But “with some authorities resisting, culture change is needed”.

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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

“When information is accessible”, he noted “people can use it more easily”. Overall, he saw “a change of law as a means to a change in culture” as the key for more proactive release of information.
#FOI #SPIF #Scotland

Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

At Friday’s Scottish Public Information Forum, Lord Wallace of Tankerness, who led the FOI Act through Parliament 20+ years ago, reflected that governments which proactively release information face fewer requests.

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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

On Friday we attended the Scottish Public Information Forum at the Scottish Parliament, organised by @cfoiscot.bsky.social. Speakers included @thecourier.co.uk David Clegg, @katysclark.bsky.social MSP, past SICs & current Commissioner @da.vidh.scot. We’ll be sharing highlights throughout today.

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Scottish Information Commissioner @foi.scot · 9d

When requesting info covering multiple years, specify if you want “calendar,” “financial,” or “school” years. Different authorities may take different approaches, so clarity helps avoid confusion.
#FOI20 #Scotland