We helped 75% of local authorities improve their SAR compliance

We uncovered long delays in responses to Subject Access Requests (SARs), some stretching over several years. So we worked with Scotland’s 32 local authorities to improve how they handle requests.  

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

With our scrutiny and our support to put action plans in place, many local authorities significantly:  

• reduced their backlog of requests; and  
• improved their response times.  

Between 2021 and 2024, there was an approximate 68% overall increase in the total number of SARs to local authorities in Scotland. Despite this, 75% of local authorities improved their SAR compliance, with 13 local authorities reporting a compliance rate of at least 90% in 2023/24.  

In the financial year 2024/25, we saw an 11% increase in the total number of Rights of Access requests compared to 2023/24. Meanwhile, the number of local authorities with SAR compliance rates of 90% and over has gone up by one to 14. Nineteen out of 32 local authorities have improved their SAR compliance. 

This means that more people are receiving responses to requests for personal information on time. 

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 improve access to personal information for people who have been in the care system, as this can help them understand their identity. 

We recently launched Better Records Together, which is a resource that ensures organisations design care records to be accessed. With this, organisations can build a more efficient and resilient process for children and young people currently in care.