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

s.38(1) 5215 s.20 4475 s.34(1) 3779 s.39(2) 3631 s.30 3032 s.17(1) 2975 s.25(1) 2550 s.10(4) 2085 s.11(2) 1634 s.29(1) 1244 s.2 1242 s.3 977

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

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,334 releases · 27.8 avg days Marine Directorate 990 releases · 29.7 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 969 releases · 30.8 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 741 releases · 39.6 avg days Constitution Directorate 710 releases · 35.8 avg days Population Health Directorate 676 releases · 28.6 avg days People Directorate 663 releases · 25.5 avg days
Clear
536 matching releases

Decisions on unacceptable actions: FOI release

1. Has the Scottish Government procedure on making someone subject to an unacceptable actions decision been considered by independent counsel in order to ensure that there can be no reasonable perception that there might be bias, or that the process is incompatible with Article 6 and Article 10 of the Human Rights Act....

FOI unclear 55 score 6 working days correspondence s.5
Published
2021-05-07
Reference
FOI/202100185878
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

COVID-19 survey gender identity questions: FOI release

"I have been taking the above survey, run on the Scottish Government's behalf by Progressive Research. One of the demographic questions asks what is my 'gender identity', and gives response options pertaining to biological sex (male and female), as well as "other gender identity" and "prefer not to say". Since gender i...

FOI unclear 55 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence s.7
Published
2021-04-29
Reference
FOI/202100173238
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Total advertising spend for 2019-2020: FOI release

Details of the total Scottish government spend on PR and advertising during the last financial year? Do you have provisional figures for the current year?

FOI unclear 50 score 78 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-04-14
Reference
FOI/202000118552
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Digital, product recognition and research expenditure: FOI release

Please detail all above the line advertising spend by the Scottish government in 2020. Please note, I do not need the Media spend, I would like to see how much was spend on developing and producing advertising via external agencies (including advertising agencies, PR agencies, digital agencies and content agencies) in ...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-04-14
Reference
FOI/202100163186
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Total costs of flags: FOI release

The spend on flags for Scottish buildings across: 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-04-12
Reference
FOI/202100162404
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Flag flying and purchasing statistics: FOI release

1. A breakdown of the types and numbers of each flag owned by the Scottish Government that are to be flown on official days. 2. A breakdown of the cost and number purchased of each flag type over the past 12 months. 3. The cost of repairs made to owned flags over the past 12 month (with a breakdown by type of possible)...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.2 s.3
Published
2021-04-12
Reference
FOI/202100163026
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Programme for Government, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs correspondence: FOI release

From 29 December 2020 to 5 January 2021: Copies of all emails from/to Michael Russell including the term ‘no deal’. This can be in the subject header, body of the email, attachment to the email and/or otherwise.

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-08
Reference
FOI/202100133649
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Brexit, Public sector

Details regarding First Minister's Scottish Government website biography photograph: FOI release

"Who paid for this photograph? Who owns the copyright or licensing rights? It has been used in the recent past on the side of a bus, on a helicopter and in advertising material specifically for political and campaign purposes. Can I please ask whom in the Scottish Government decided it can be used in a publicly funded ...

FOI unclear 50 score 6 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2021-04-01
Reference
FOI/202100168781
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

COVID-19 Visitors to St Andrews House Edinburgh: FOI release

A record of guests/visitors who have visited St Andrews House Edinburgh from 1st December 2020 until the present date- 5th February 2021. Guests/Visitors are defined as people who are not members of government, MSPs or civil servants. Any personal information that can identify someone doesn't have to be included, but a...

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-01
Reference
FOI/202100151568
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Communications relating to drug deaths statistics: FOI release

All emails, letters, minutes of meetings, briefings, hand written notes, records of phone or other conversations and messages on encrypted phone apps between any permutation of the following people - The Public Health Minister, The Cabinet Secretary for health, the First Minister and the Chair of the Drugs death task f...

FOI unclear 75 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-31
Reference
FOI/202100157878
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Repair and maintenance works carried out at First Minster's residence: FOI release

Can you please give details of the repair and maintenance works carried out at Bute house (official residence of the first minister) since the 2021 lockdown provisions were announced including but not limited to a detailed breakdown of any repairs and maintenance carried out, the areas of Bute house that have been subj...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending
Published
2021-03-24
Reference
FOI/202100143539
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Outsourced frontline communications staff/press officers: FOI release

1. How many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers have been employed that have been outsourced, In other words, not in-house but external PR/communications supplied by a private company between 2009/10 and 2019/20. If an average number isn't available, pick March as a snapshot. 1a. How much was spent on ou...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2021-03-24
Reference
FOI/202100143590
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector, Work and skills

Data relating to press officers: FOI release

Can you please set out how many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers there were in March (snapshot) 2020? How many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers were there in January (snapshot) 2021? What was the cost of employing those staff in 2019/20? What has been the cost of employing these staff ...

FOI unclear 50 score 43 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/202100143566
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence relating to Scottish National Party (SNP) independence taskforce: FOI release

From 10 January 2021 to present: Copies of correspondence (emails, texts, whatsapp messages, briefings, minutes of calls, minutes of meetings and/or otherwise) from and/or to Special Advisors regarding the SNP’s plan to set up an ‘Independence Taskforce’ announced on 17 January 2021 by Keith Brown.

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-15
Reference
FOI/202100140612
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector, Topics

Correspondence concerning First Minister meetings in August 2020: FOI release

1) For the month of August, a list of any meetings involving the First Minister not listed on the information published here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/ministerial-engagements-travel-andgifts-august-2020/ which was considered to include the discussion of government business. 2) For all of the meetings in Augus...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-12
Reference
FOI/202100134861
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government marketing and advertising costs: FOI release

"How much has the Scottish Government spent on NHS Scotland press and tv advertising during the lockdown restrictions?"

FOI unclear 50 score 14 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-03-01
Reference
FOI/202100146226
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government television advertising budgets: FOI release

1. In the period between April 1st 2019 and March 2020 how much did the Scottish Government pay for all TV advertising and related media buying and planning services for all Government departments. 2. In the period from April 1st 2020 to present, how much had the Scottish Government set aside and paid including work on...

FOI unclear 55 score 58 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.2 s.3
Published
2021-02-18
Reference
FOI/202000110615
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Information relating to the One Million Words of Kindness campaign: FOI release

a) Please confirm the total spend so far on the ‘One Million Words of Kindness’ campaign? b) Please confirm the total budget for the ‘One Million Words of Kindness’ campaign? c) Please confirm the total costs associated with the design, printing and distribution of the 100,000 ‘One Million Words of Kindness’ postcard...

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-02-11
Reference
FOI/202000118682
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Total number of fleet vehicles owned by the Scottish Government: FOI release

You asked for the total number of fleet vehicles owned by the Scottish Government.

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence
Published
2021-02-03
Reference
FOI/202000119365
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector, Transport

Total amount of money Scottish Government spent on advertisement with SI Games: FOI release

You asked “How much money has the Scottish Government, or associated government agencies, spent on advertising with the company SI Games (or Sega) and, specifically, its computer games Football Manager 2019, Football Manager 2020, and Football Manager 2021”.

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-02-03
Reference
FOI/202000113076
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Face masks worn by the First Minister: FOI release

Who supplies Ms Sturgeon's face masks, how much do they cost and does she pay for them herself?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2021-01-29
Reference
FOI/202000131456
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): dealing with awkward social situations – guidance’: FOI release

1) Any briefing or correspondence (including emails, letter and phone records) around the Scottish Government’s ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): dealing with awkward social situations – guidance’, published on the 7 December. 2) Any previous drafts of the Scottish Government’s ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): dealing with awkward soci...

FOI unclear 75 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence briefings spending 2 attachments
Published
2021-01-18
Reference
FOI/202000122884
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

COVID-19 FACTS advertising campaign associated costs: FOI release

"a full a detailed breakdown of costs associated the FACTS campaign by the Scottish Government for covid 19, including any and all advertising costs."

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-01-18
Reference
FOI/202000124564
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

The Covid Guide to Etiquette and Pandemic Politeness costs: FOI release

How much has been spent to date on The Covid Guide to Etiquette and Pandemic Politeness. Please include a breakdown of ALL costs including: 1. Cost to produce and publish the guide. 2. Cost of any consultant agencies used to contribute to the production of the guide. 3. Cost of distribution of the guide. 4. Cost of a...

FOI unclear 50 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-01-14
Reference
FOI/202000121890
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector