Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

22,874releases indexed
40,876attachments found
29.5avg calendar days
8,493partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-10-28newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,493 unclear 7,447 not held 3,283 released 1,596 already published 712 cost limit 634 clarification 376 withheld 250 transferred 83

Top Exemptions

Timeline

2026-10 227 2026-09 8 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217

Directorate Profiles

Clear
150 matching releases

Consultation queries: FOI release

Information relating to consultations over the last 5 years. In particular, information relating to: The average time taken over the last 5 years between closing a consultation and publishing an analysis of responses, as well as publishing the responses themselves The longest time taken, over the last 5 years, between...

FOI not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.12(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-12-24
Reference
FOI/202500483584
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Raising of Palestinian flag on Scottish Government buildings: FOI Review

Original Request - 202500483555 “Publish all correspondence (including those of the First Minister and his advisors and “spin doctors”) relating to the raising of the Palestinian flag. These communications should include all warnings and impact assessments done into the repercussions (especially from the Jewish/Israel...

FOI not held 70 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-12-10
Reference
FOI/202500488559 Review of 202500483555
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Correspondence between Novara Media and Scottish Government: FOI release

You asked for records relating to any connections, interactions, or links between the Scottish Government (including its ministers, officials, and departments), Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), and Novara Media (a UK-based media organization, also known as Novara Media Ltd or operating under the trading name ...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-12-09
Reference
FOI/202500482885
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Hybrid working policy alignment with climate commitments, infrastructure Costs, and senior leadership discussion: EIR release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I am requesting access to materials regarding the Scottish Government’s hybrid working arrangements, their alignment with Scotland’s climate targets, and associated infrastructure costs. I am particularly focused on how internal discussion has evolved under differen...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.3 s.4 s.6 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.10(5) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2025-12-09
Reference
EIR/202500478223
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector, Work and skills

First Minister's government & political diary information: FOI release

First Minister’s full diary (government and political for the 11th to 13th August 2025 (date inclusive)).

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-18
Reference
FOI/202500479614
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Parliament Bureau correspondence regarding parliamentary business: FOI release

1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the First Minister and the Scottish Parliament Bureau regarding parliamentary business for the Scottish Parliament in September 2025. Information should include but not be li...

FOI not held 40 score 8 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp
Published
2025-11-18
Reference
FOI/202500482332
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial media activity information: FOI release

For the six-month period in 2025 from January 1 to June 30, please disclose the following: The number of press conferences held. For each, please give its date; location; subject; and the minister(s) taking questions. The number of pressers held. For each, please give its date; location; and the minister(s) taking que...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.27(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-06
Reference
FOI/202500477986
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Costs incurred for visit to Trump International Scotland in Aberdeenshire: FOI release

“I am writing to request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 that the Scottish Government Disclose all information it holds detailing costs incurred by the council, or estimated costs incurred by the council, as a result of the visit to Scotland by the US president Donald Trump between July 25 2025 an...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2025-10-28
Reference
FOI/202500478121
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government hospitality spend: FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I would like to request the following information: The total amount spent by Scottish Government Cabinet Secretaries on coffee and other refreshments between 1 January 2023 and the present date of 18 July 2025. If available, please provide a breakdown by Cabinet Se...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2025-10-22
Reference
FOI/202500476453
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Information pertaining to catering, staffing and menus for official events: FOI Review

Original Request - 202500462429 1. How many official events (state dinners, lunches, cocktail receptions) have been held at Bute House since the 1st of April 2024? Please provide a brief description of each event as well as notable guests. 2. How much money has been spent on catering, staffing, and organising these ...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.21(4) s.25(1) s.27(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-10-13
Reference
FOI/202500471460 - Review of 202500462429
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government's process of logging correspondence: FOI release

Explain the logging process for citizen, public body and private enterprise concerns across government departments, inclusive of different party leadership. (For example, whether data analytics are applied to identify themes in citizen concerns, and how this is communicated to ministers and parliamentary scrutiny panel...

FOI not held 40 score 10 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2025-10-13
Reference
FOI/202500474411
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Information regarding the resignation of former Minister for Housing and former Minister for Climate Action: FOI release

1) The official resignation dates from ministerial office of Paul McLennan and Alasdair Allan. 2) The dates on which these resignations were communicated to the First Minister or Permanent Secretary. 3) Any correspondence (including emails, memos, or briefings) discussing the timing of their resignations. 4) Any doc...

FOI not held 45 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.4 s.3 s.25(1) s.17
Published
2025-09-25
Reference
FOI/202500471470
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Citizen Jury on the delivery of public services: FOI release

Information relating to a citizen jury on the delivery of public services that took place in Scotland in 2011. In particular, information relating to: 1) The number of citizens who were invited to participate, and the share of citizens who accepted the initial invitation. 2) Any information on the socio-demographic b...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.4 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-22
Reference
FOI/202500466262
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Communication costs for Constitution, Culture and External Affairs: FOI release

You asked for how much money has been spent on press and communication support for the Constitution, external affairs and culture portfolio in each of the last five years, with a breakdown per year and what the staff were assigned to, i.e. culture or independence. You also asked us to supply the number of press officer...

FOI not held 45 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17 s.17(1)
Published
2025-09-17
Reference
FOI/202500466051
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial code investigation into former First Minister: FOI release

All 14 pieces of correspondence" involved in the "ministerial code investigation into former FM Salmond that was conducted by Sir David Bell and published in 2013". You requested this correspondence because the links to the documents on the Scottish Government/NRS website archive are not working.

FOI not held 70 score 1 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-09
Reference
FOI/202500461414
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Details of Deputy First Minister's visit to City Holdings Ltd Housing Development: FOI release

A previous FOI response (202500472116) showed that Kate Forbes attended a ministerial visit to City Holdings Ltd Housing Development on 29 January 2025 with a friend. Please provide more details about the name of this friend, what role they played in the visit, and what sector they work in.

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17 s.17(1)
Published
2025-09-04
Reference
FOI/202500475609
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister ministerial salary: FOI release

You asked for: 1. The total gross ministerial salary paid to the First Minister of Scotland for the months of April 2025 and May 2025, including: The amount paid, The pay rate applied (i.e. whether the salary was frozen at 2008-09 levels or included any uplift), Any adjustments or deductions made in either month, inc...

FOI not held 45 score 1 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.17
Published
2025-09-04
Reference
FOI/202500468199
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government hybrid working policy: FOI release

1. The number of civil servants who have refused requests from line managers to return to the office after previously agreeing a hybrid or work-from-home contract. 2. The number of official complaints to HR made by staff about the proposed two-days-a-week in-office mandate.

FOI not held 45 score 11 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)
Published
2025-09-03
Reference
FOI/202500474782
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Ministerial employment date information: FOI release

Alasdair Allan MSP left his post as Minister for Energy on 15 June 2025 while Paul McLellan left his post as Minister for Housing on 11 June 2025 – what is the reason for the difference in end dates? Mr Allan’s resignation letter says “I was honoured to be asked to take this interim role, but that I only wanted it to b...

FOI not held 45 score 6 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2025-08-04
Reference
FOI/202500471446
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial salary increase timing and messaging records: FOI Review

Original request 202500462016 Access to records related to the timing and public messaging of the recent ministerial salary increase. Specifically: 1. **Internal Communications:** - Emails, meeting minutes, and memos between the Office of the First Minister and the Public Relations teams discussing how the timing of ...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.2 s.25 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-30
Reference
FOI/202500466490 Review of 202500462016
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial salary increase timing and messaging records: FOI release

Access to records related to the timing and public messaging of the recent ministerial salary increase. Specifically: 1. **Internal Communications:** - Emails, meeting minutes, and memos between the Office of the First Minister and the Public Relations teams discussing how the timing of the announcement was chosen. - ...

FOI not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-21
Reference
FOI/202500462016
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister's agenda and communications from Monday 3rd March 2025: FOI release

Please provide all information held by the Scottish Government relating to the activities and communications of the First Minister on Monday 3 March 2025 (0:00AM to 24:00PM). This should include but not necessarily be limited to: 1. Copies of all written materials provided to and/or by the First Minister (FM) 2. Copie...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.4 s.6 s.39(1) s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-15
Reference
FOI/202500459057
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Breakdown of Scottish Government advertising and public notice spend: FOI release

You asked, for each of the last five financial years (2024/25, 2023/24, 2022/23, 2021/22, 2020/21), to provide the following information: The total budget spent on marketing and advertising (including promotional, statutory, jobs and other). The names of the print, digital and broadcast and other media where this was ...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.27(1) s.33 s.17(1) s.17 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-15
Reference
FOI/202500460124
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Deputy First Minister’s diary for Monday 3rd March 2025: FOI release

Please provide all information held by the Scottish Government relating to the activities and communications of the Deputy First Minister on Monday 3 March 2025 (0:00AM to 24:00PM). This should include but not necessarily be limited to: 1. Copies of all written materials provided to and/or by the Deputy First Minister...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.4 s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-14
Reference
FOI/202500459051
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information on Freedom of Information requests submitted to the Scottish Government: FOI release

How many FOI requests were submitted to the Scottish Government in 2024? How many requests were submitted by the requestor who submitted the most requests? Information held on how much staff time and overall cost to the Scottish Government of handling a) all requests and b) the most prolific requestor.

FOI not held 45 score 13 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2025-07-02
Reference
FOI/202500469631
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector