Improving access to vital information for millions of Scottish residents

After uncovering long delays in responses to Subject Access Requests (SARs), some stretching over several years, we are working with Scotland’s 32 local authorities to improve how requests are handled.

This ensures people can access personal information held about them within one month, unless a valid exception applies. Timely access is especially important for people with care experience, as these records can offer vital insight into their early lives and identity.

Following our intervention, three quarters of local authorities improved their SAR compliance, with 13 local authorities reporting a compliance rate of at least 90% in 2023/24. This means that more people are receiving responses to requests for personal information on time.

We worked with stakeholders including meetings with executives, improvement plans, regular performance reports, 1-2-1 support and events.

We continue to engage with local authorities and other key stakeholders to drive further improvements and ensure that people can access their own personal information. This includes an ongoing project to improving the experience of accessing personal information for people who have been in the care system, where information can play a huge role in helping someone to understand their identity.