Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,792releases indexed
39,278attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,073partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,073 unclear 7,195 not held 3,052 released 1,533 already published 668 cost limit 605 clarification 348 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4905 s.20 4252 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3455 s.30 2866 s.17(1) 2763 s.25(1) 2372 s.10(4) 1971 s.11(2) 1559 s.29(1) 1168 s.2 1152 s.3 903

Timeline

2026-05 339 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263 2025-10 217

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,275 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 961 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 919 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 859 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 725 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 631 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
223 matching releases

List of all adverts funded by the Scottish Government hosted on YouTube: FOI release

A list of all adverts funded by the Scottish Government hosted on YouTube in December 2022 and January 2023. The amount spent on these adverts. All correspondence relating to the ‘visit Glasgow this winter’ advert that has appeared on YouTube with the Scottish Government’s branding. Whether or not the Scottish Governme...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-03
Reference
202300338164
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to devolved vs reserved matters: FOI release

1. Any correspondence held by the Scottish government between the permanent secretary John Paul Marks and the cabinet secretary Simon Case, in relation to devolved vs reserved matters. By this I mean things like the constitution and foreign affairs – potential examples would be the subject of a “minister for independen...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300367840
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Breakdown of food and takeaway deliveries received at Bute House: FOI release

Please provide me with a breakdown of food and takeaway deliveries received at Bute House over the last five years. Please specify which foods were ordered on each occasion, which business the food was ordered from, and what the cost was.

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
202200319167
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government's Twitter accounts: FOI release

For each member of the government, can you release details of the accounts they have blocked on Twitter? Can you release details of all accounts blocked by each of the Scottish Government's Twitter accounts? Clarification We wrote to you to clarify the scope of your request with regards to “each of the Scottish Gover...

FOI unclear 55 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2023-10-27
Reference
202300337483
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Gifts received by First Minister: FOI release

Please provide me with a list of all gifts received by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon over her term in office. Please tell me what the items are, when they were gifted and by whom. If possible, please include a value. Please also tell us whether Ms Sturgeon was able to keep these gifts or not.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 9 working days correspondence ministers s.11 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.27(1)
Published
2023-10-24
Reference
202300348626
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial contact time: FOI release

Please supply the content of all documentation regarding the preferences of all current Scottish Government ministers for working on or being contacted on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and during anti-social hours, including preferences regarding a disinclination to work or be contacted during such days and time...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2023-10-19
Reference
202300356735
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Royal Household handling of requests: FOI release

Accordingly, please provide any information held by the Scottish Government in relation to the following matters: How any request by the Royal Household for information in relation to a Bill for which consent is sought, or any objection to the Bill’s content, are to be handled, including any general policies or practi...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.20 s.30 s.36(1) s.41
Published
2023-10-11
Reference
202300359750
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Documentation regarding ministerial briefing preferences: FOI release

The content of all documentation regarding Ministerial preferences detailing how current Scottish Government Ministers prefer their briefings, speeches and correspondence to be prepared and handled.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-11
Reference
202300360682
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Public money spend to The Lines Agency between 2022-23: FOI release

How much public money was paid to the agency The Lines Between in 2022 and 2023 respectively? Was a proportion of that payment given by The Lines Between to the firm Taylor McKenzie and if so how much and for what purpose?

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-09
Reference
202300359683
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Angus Robertson's time abroad: FOI Release

You asked for: How many days this year has Angus Robertson not been in Scotland for (up to the date of this FOI?) List all of the foreign trips to countries outside of Scotland he has taken and their dates. The total amount spent on trips outside of Scotland that he has been on? What is his budget for trips outside...

FOI not held 45 score 12 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.25(1)
Published
2023-09-14
Reference
202200331592
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between the First Minister and Patrick Harvie, Andrew Wilson and Ian Blackford: FOI review

In your original request, dated 5 January 2023, you asked for: any correspondence between the First Minister, either directly, on her behalf, or by her office or assistants, and Patrick Harvie of the Scottish Greens between 01-June-2021 and 31-August- 2021. This would include all correspondence, ie emails, texts, dire...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending whatsapp s.12 s.17(1)
Published
2023-09-12
Reference
202300343738 review of 202300336762
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Highest number of FOI requests made by a single person in one day: FOI release

What is the largest number of FOI requests made to yourselves by a single person in one day, and who made those requests (and in what capacity, e.g. journalist, media, lobbying, campaigner, party researcher)? For each of the years 2023 (so far), 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, what is the largest number of FOI requests made...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1)
Published
2023-09-06
Reference
FOI/202300371085
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial car arrangements March 2023: FOI release

1. Copies of any enquiries from ministers/representatives of ministers on whether the service would be available from the pub on March 23. 2. Any internal discussion within the SG over whether use of the car service for this event would be appropriate, and any responses to ministers/their representatives. 3. Any corres...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.3 s.17(1)
Published
2023-08-21
Reference
FOI/202300366303
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Former First Minister trip to London March 2023: FOI release

1) Under FOI could I please request all correspondence related to Nicola Sturgeon's travel arrangements for her trip to London on March 19-20, 2023. This should include, for example, any discussion around whether to book economy or business class flights and what sort of hotel she would stay in. 2) Could you please als...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.3 s.17(1) s.39(1)
Published
2023-08-21
Reference
FOI/202300365915
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial Preferences for Out of Hours Working: FOI Review

Original request - 202300341181 "Please supply the content of all documentation regarding the preferences of all current Scottish Government ministers for working on or being contacted on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and during anti-social hours, including preferences regarding a disinclination to work or be c...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-02
Reference
FOI/202300349479 Review of 202300341181
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

First Minister media interviews: FOI release

The number of individual (one on one rather than press conference) media interviews given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon between 4 December 2020 and 4 December 2022. Please list these by outlet e.g “The Times” or "STV News" along with the journalist's name and the date. Please list all interviews given regardles...

FOI not held 70 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-02-21
Reference
FOI/202200332827
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Collaborative messaging apps and non-work / social spaces: FOI release

Please see the notes at the bottom for clarification on these requests. 1. Do you use one or more collaborative messaging apps? ** If no to Q1, Q2-4 do not apply to you and I do not need a response to them. ** 2. Please supply: 2.1. a list of names of those apps, and 2.2. the total number of your employees and workers ...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.1 s.4 s.17(1)
Published
2022-12-05
Reference
FOI/202200328528
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost to tax payers to cover the energy expenses of MP/MSPs: FOI release

Request 1: The number and type of flights taken by ScotGov Ministers and MSP's including Nicola Sturgeon and The Greens since 2020 and also the Westminster MPs including Ian Blackford. Please include whether private or public, airline, the destination/reason for the flight and class of travel ticket and the cost to tax...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.27(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-10
Reference
FOI/202200319290
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Bute House Visits: FOI release

1. A record of everyone who visited Bute House between 24th March 2020 to the 15th July 2020. To clarify, I only want a record of people who visited and entered Bute House whose official place of work isn't Bute House. 2. A record of everyone who visited Bute House between 5th January 2021 and 5th April 2021. To clarif...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers contracts s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-01
Reference
FOI/202200280151
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

The First Minister's car journeys during lockdown: FOI release

1. The full record of the First Minister's car journeys between 24th March 2020 until 15th July 2020. 2. The full record of the First Minister's car journeys between 5th January 2021 and 5th April 2021.

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.25(1)
Published
2022-08-01
Reference
FOI/202200307419
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Resilience Training visits made to Bute House: FOI release

In a previous FOI response (ref 202200280151) it was stated that there were visits made to Bute House by Scottish Government employees on the 25th, 26th, 30th & 31st of March 2020 and later on the 16th April 2020 and each time their 'reason for visit' was 'Resilience Training'. Please provide the following information:...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1)
Published
2022-06-07
Reference
FOI/202200296780
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Bute House carpet fitting: FOI release

In a previous FOI response (ref 202200280151) regarding Bute House visits, it was confirmed that Gordon and Halliday Carpet workers entered Bute House on the 12th January 2021. The reason stated 'Carpet Fitting'. Please provide the following information: All recorded correspondence between the Scottish Government and ...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-05-24
Reference
FOI/202200296774
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Breakdown of First Minister expenses and staffing costs: FOI release

The following information regarding Nicola Sturgeon’s expenses from The Scottish Government. 1. Please provide a full breakdown and details of office costs for years 2021-2022 and 2020-2021. This should include, staffing, postage and couriers, stationary and printing, shredding, software and applications, advertising a...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.3 s.17(1) s.25(1)
Published
2022-03-16
Reference
FOI/202200278934
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Creative agencies used by Scottish Government: FOI Review

1. Please list the creative services agencies used by the government during 2021. 2. A list of all appointments made under each agreement during 2021 - detailing the creative services agency used, campaign name, the lead artist / provider and agreed fee. The following questions relate solely to the creative service age...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence contracts s.3 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100257826 Review of 202100248294
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Media campaign fronted by Janey Godley: FOI Review

With reference to the recent media campaign fronted by Janey Godley (JG), I am seeking the following information: (1) Who initially proposed JG to front the campaign? (2) All internal communications proposing and discussing the proposal for JG to front the campaign. (3) All communications with the creative services age...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.7 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100257829 Review of 202100248293
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector