Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

22,640releases indexed
40,478attachments found
29.5avg calendar days
8,386partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-09-02newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,386 unclear 7,405 not held 3,239 released 1,581 already published 700 cost limit 627 clarification 372 withheld 249 transferred 81

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5149 s.20 4430 s.34(1) 3727 s.39(2) 3593 s.30 2994 s.17(1) 2922 s.25(1) 2520 s.10(4) 2060 s.11(2) 1619 s.29(1) 1223 s.2 1222 s.3 958

Timeline

2026-09 1 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,312 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 978 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 961 releases · 30.9 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 737 releases · 39.7 avg days Constitution Directorate 702 releases · 35.9 avg days Population Health Directorate 665 releases · 28.5 avg days People Directorate 657 releases · 25.6 avg days
Clear
146 matching releases

Requests for First Minister to appear on podcasts: FOI release

A full list of requests for First Ministers to appear on podcasts in 2022, 2023, 2024, along with the name of the podcast and whether it was accepted or not, and reason why it was rejected.

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2025-02-14
Reference
FOI/202500446688
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Engagements attended by Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity: FOI release

A list of Jim Fairlie’s engagements as Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity from 1 November 2024 and the minutes of those engagements.

FOI not held 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1) s.38(1) s.28 4 attachments
Published
2025-01-27
Reference
FOI/202400444866
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Ministers and disclosure checks: FOI release

1. Whether Scottish Ministers undergo any form of disclosure check before, during or after their appointment as a Scottish Minister. 2. If yes, please provide the outcomes of these checks for each current Scottish Minister. 3. Please also state whether the First Minister is aware of any criminal convictions (either s...

FOI not held 45 score 15 working days correspondence ministers s.15(1) s.17
Published
2025-01-21
Reference
FOI/202400443080
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Directorate for Communications and Ministerial Support staffing, specific spend details and Ministerial code guidance: FOI release

1. The total number of staff employed in the Directorate of Comms, Ministerial Support and Facilities (also known as Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate) in each of the following financial years: 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and currently in 2024-25, broken down by pay scale. 2. What training cour...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.3 s.5 s.17(1) s.9 4 attachments
Published
2024-12-17
Reference
FOI/202400437904
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Information regarding cost and numbers of received FOI requests: FOI release

How much would each Calendar day cost for a FOI request” to narrow the scope of your previous request which asked for “A copy of all FOI done to the Scottish government and there reply’s since legislation has been passed”. In addition you asked separately “Is there a maximum amount of FOI 1 person can have at a single ...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence briefings spending s.17(1) s.14
Published
2024-11-27
Reference
FOI/202400436903
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Public Relations (PR) spend by the Scottish Government: FOI release

1. Total annual expenditure, from 2015 to present, annually, on public relations firms by: a. The Scottish Government b. All public bodies (broken down by public body) 2. Total annual expenditure, from 2015 to present, annually, on public relations firms by the Scottish Government, broken down by PR firm hired. 3. ...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)
Published
2024-11-04
Reference
FOI/202400433499
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Gifts given by Scottish Government Ministers: FOI Review

Original request 202400426991 1. A list of gifts given by Scottish Government Ministers during external meetings and overseas travel to, for example, other Ministers etc over the last five years. 2. Please include (i) the Scottish Government Minister who gave the gift, (ii) the individual who received the gift, and (...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.17(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-21
Reference
FOI/202400431907 Review of 202400426991
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Transcripts of the press events for the Building a New Scotland series of independence papers: FOI release

For each of the 13 Building a New Scotland series of independence papers, please provide all Scottish Government transcripts (or other notes) of the press events on the day of their publication.

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-04
Reference
FOI/202400426552
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Former First Minister's tweet on the 35th anniversary of the Lockerbie air disaster: FOI release

1. Could you provide all receipts and expenses claims from Humza Yousaf's trip to New York for Climate Week from September 17 to 21. 2. Could you provide all drafts of Humza Yousaf's official FM account's tweet on the 35th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing, plus any notes held about why the wording changed etc: htt...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400393771
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Breaches of the Ministerial Code: FOI release

1. The text of the 20 most recent complaints submitted against Scottish Government Ministers that were reviewed against the ministerial code. 2. The text of the 10 most recent complaints of minsters that were upheld i.e it was judged they had broken the ministerial code.

FOI not held 70 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400401399
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Spring Budget communications campaign: FOI Review

Original request (202400403341) You recently engaged in a communications campaign, e.g. https://x.com/scotgov/status/1766116922909692407 The text reads: “The UK Spring Budget has failed to deliver the funding Scotland needs for public services. National Insurance cuts in the Spring Budget and Autumn Statement have ...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38 s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-11
Reference
FOI/202400413228 Review of 202400403341
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Scottish Budget

Spring Budget communications campaign: FOI release

You recently engaged in a communications campaign, e.g. https://x.com/scotgov/status/1766116922909692407 The text reads: “The UK Spring Budget has failed to deliver the funding Scotland needs for public services. National Insurance cuts in the Spring Budget and Autumn Statement have cost £20 billion. This means Scotl...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.17 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400403341
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Chief of Staff to the First Minister: FOI release

All Chief of Staff to the First Minister, and who the First Minister was they were Chief of Staff to The tenure of duration of each chief of staff General duties, roles and responsibilities of the Chief of Staff to the First Minister Engagements of the Chief of Staff within the Scottish Government, office of the First ...

FOI not held 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1)
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400411404
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Former First Minister's travel to London in March 2023: FOI release

In relation to FOI 202300372115 about the former First Minister's travel to London in March 2023 and followed up to ask: 1. Was the trip solely for the purposes of the previous First Minister to take part in a television programme called ‘Loose Women’? 2. If not, was the trip also for the purpose of matters which are...

FOI not held 40 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400412363
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

The National newspaper and Newsquest publications spend: FOI release

1. How much has the Scottish Government spent on The National newspaper, including any grants, advertising contracts and paid subscriptions? Please also detail any other payments made to the newspaper. If possible, please provide this information since 2014. 2. How much has the Scottish Government spent on Newsquest p...

FOI not held 45 score 11 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400413762
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Advertising costs - Pablo, London: FOI release

List of total costs incurred by Scottish Government/HM Government as a Client of Pablo.

FOI not held 40 score 4 working days correspondence spending
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400421381
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Circular Economy Bill, oil and gas licences and Keir Starmer correspondence: EIR release

1. a) Could you supply minutes/notes from all meetings Lorna Slater has held about the circular economy bill this year? b) Could you also supply the risk register for the circular economy bill? 2. a) Could you supply a list of all meetings held by Humza Yousaf between October 7 2023 and October 31 2023? b) Could you s...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.5(1) s.10 s.11 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
EIR/202400405191
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Energy, Environment and climate change, +1 more … Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care's trip to UAE: FOI release

1. All briefings, notes prepared for ministers, and correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internally, about the UK Government proposing a ban on smoking for those who are 14 and younger, between October 1 and the date of this FOI. 2. Full cost of Neil Gray's trip to UAE between October...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.12 s.27(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202300385956
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Freedom of Information Unit resourcing and staffing numbers: FOI release

(1) The staffing of the central FOI team; (2) The number of civil servants across the Scottish Government responsible for dealing with FOIs? specialist teams or staff devoted to this work? Central records of specialists kept? How many civil servants in Scottish Government have 'FOI' or 'Freedom of Information' or 'EIR...

FOI not held 70 score 10 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.14(1) s.12(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202300388436
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

1. Over the past five years how many FoI requests have been submitted? Please can I have this broken down by year? (So for the years of 2019, 20, 21, 22, 23. If financial years are used, please may I have the data for this financial year to the date this has been submitted.) 2. Over the past five years how many FoI re...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.20 s.17(1)
Published
2024-04-10
Reference
FOI/202400397701
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Advertising spend by the Scottish Government: FOI release

1. You asked for advertising spend by the Scottish Government broken down by media outlet for each of the last three financial years. Please include both print and broadcast outlets. 2. Details of all payments made to Newsquest in the same time period, broken down by year.

FOI not held 45 score 16 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2
Published
2024-04-08
Reference
FOI/202400391972
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government and Executive Agency policy regarding social media posts: FOI release

Does the Scottish Government and related agencies have a policy of removing comments from social media? If so, what is this policy? Regardless if a policy exists or not, what criteria does the Scottish Government and related agencies use to remove comments from social media posts?

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.5 s.8 s.17(1)
Published
2024-03-27
Reference
FOI/202400394165
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care communications during December 2022 - January 2023: FOI release

Any and all communications (including WhatsApps +private emails about government business) from Michael Matheson during December 2022 and January 2023. Any documents relating to the decision to pay for Michael Matheson's iPad bill from the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Any documents relating to the decision-ma...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending whatsapp s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-03-07
Reference
FOI/202300384476
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister’s Christmas Media Reception: FOI release

Regarding the First Minister’s Christmas Media Reception, held at Bute House last night 14/12/23: A number of civil servants could be overheard discussing being "asked to go and buy booze at the last minute". Was alcohol or "booze" always going to be served at the Christmas Media Reception? If not, when was it decid...

FOI not held 45 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.17(1) s.7 s.10 s.4 s.27(1) s.17
Published
2024-02-23
Reference
FOI/202300389912
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care use of governmental device: FOI release

1. Whether Michael Matheson informed anyone in the Scottish Government of his holiday to Morocco during December 2022/January 2023 in advance of it and if so when. 2. Whether Michael Matheson asked the Scottish Government to take a government device with him on this holiday, whether this request was accepted or rejecte...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2024-01-23
Reference
FOI/202300385115
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector