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
525 matching releases

Visits carried out by the First Minister in 2014: FOI release

In relation to the information relating to the visits carried out by the First Minister in 2014, can these be broken down as to whether these visits were carried out by the former First Minister or the current First Minister when she took office on 14 November 2014? Can this be broken down for each of the Scottish parl...

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-21
Reference
FOI/202000077290
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister daily media briefings' associated costs: FOI release

Any costs associated with the First Minister's daily media briefings.

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending
Published
2020-10-01
Reference
FOI/202000087097
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Constituency visits made by First Minister: FOI release

Following the Parliamentary question S5W-24511 by Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP, and subsequently answered by Graeme Dey MSP on 26 August 2019, I wish to have a breakdown of the official visits by the First Minister between January 1 2012 and March 1 2020. Can this be broken down by numbers in terms of Parliamentary const...

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2020-09-14
Reference
FOI/202000065741
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Asbestos and Scottish Government estate buildings: EIR release

1. How many buildings for which the Scottish Government are responsible are currently known to contain asbestos? 2. Of these, how many are: i Schools ii Municipal buildings iii Construction or manufacturing sites (historic or active) iv Residential properties 3. In the last three fiscal years, how many operations have ...

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence meetings contracts spending s.2 s.3 s.4 s.5 s.1
Published
2020-09-07
Reference
FOI/202000067783
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Advertising spend COVID-19 related: FOI release

1) Since January 2020, a monthly breakdown of any advertising spend by the Scottish Government for anything Covid-19 related. 2) Since January 2020, a monthly breakdown of any social media advertising spend by the Scottish Government broken further down by platform (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for anything Covid...

FOI unclear 75 score 16 working days correspondence spending 2 attachments
Published
2020-08-28
Reference
FOI/202000060603
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public safety and emergencies, +1 more … Public sector

Online, digital and radio advertising spend: FOI release

1) The amount that the Scottish Government has spent on -online/digital advertising -Local radio advertising* in each of the last five financial years. 2) how much was spent on local radio advertising during the 6 weeks leading up to the GeneralElection on 1212.19.* 3) A list of the 10 largest recipients of Scottish...

FOI unclear 55 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.2
Published
2020-05-27
Reference
FOI/202000018487
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Flights taken in financial year 2019/20, routes and cost: FOI release

1) The number of flights taken by Scottish Government ministers, officials and special advisers over the financial year 2019/20. 2) The routes Scottish Government ministers, officials and special advisers have flown over the financial year 2019/20 3) The cost of any flights taken by Scottish government ministers, offic...

FOI unclear 75 score 2 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending 2 attachments
Published
2020-05-20
Reference
FOI/202000028715
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Coronavirus information leaflet cost: FOI release

"I have just received my mail today and in it was an envelope from The Scottish Government. Whilst I commend you for sending out the letter and leaflet, I feel that after 5 weeks of the lockdown where there has been information given out on the news, television adverts, government briefings, newspaper adverts, internet...

FOI unclear 55 score 11 working days correspondence briefings spending s.3 s.4
Published
2020-05-18
Reference
FOI/202000033071
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Former Finance Secretary salary: FOI release

Is the Scottish Taxpayer still paying the salary of disgraced MSP Derek Mackay, is he still on the payroll?

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2020-04-21
Reference
FOI/202000026753
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Flights taken, routes & cost taken in last three financial years: FOI release

1) The number of flights taken by Scottish Government ministers, officials and special advisers broken down by the last three financial years 2) The routes Scottish Government ministers, officials and special advisers have flown broken down by the last three financial years 3) The cost of any flights taken by Scottish ...

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending 2 attachments
Published
2020-04-03
Reference
FOI/202000019787
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Single use plastic purchases: FOI release

I. How many bin liners were purchased and used by this organisation in each of the 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 financial years. In relation to above, how many of the purchased bin liners were biodegradable. II. How many plastic cups were purchased and used by this organisation in each of the 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-...

FOI unclear 80 score 19 working days correspondence contracts s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-04-03
Reference
FOI/202000019838
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Scottish Government and Cycle to Work related questions: FOI release

You asked for:- I. Are any Scottish Government ministers enrolled in the Scottish Parliament Cycle to Work scheme. If so please provide details of who, and what they receive as part of the scheme. II. Does the Scottish Government have a cycle to work scheme, or anything similar for staff members and ministers? If so ...

FOI unclear 55 score 12 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2020-03-27
Reference
FOI/202000019862
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Former Finance Secretary Resignation: FOI release

The times of discussions between Derek Mackay and Nicola Sturgeon or her advisers (making clear which: Ms Sturgeon or advisers) on February 5 or 6 2020, and please provide the time Mr Mackay resigned (verbally or in writing, and please state which).

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts
Published
2020-03-19
Reference
FOI/202000016710
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Instances of an illegal substance found in Scottish Government buildings: FOI release

You asked “How many times illegal drugs have been found on site in Scottish Government buildings in the last 3 years. Please break this information down by year and building. This should include St Andrews House, Victoria Quay, Atlantic Quay and Saughton House. Could you also please state where on the premises drugs we...

FOI unclear 50 score 6 working days correspondence
Published
2020-03-02
Reference
FOI/202000017080
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Bute House gas, electricity and residential information: FOI release

You asked for: Gas bill from December 2018 until December 2019 for Bute House. Electric bill for Bute House from December 2018 until December 2019. Number of permanent residents at Bute House from December 2018 until December 2019.

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending
Published
2020-02-12
Reference
FOI/202000012634
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

Children and young people at work guidance and correspondence: FOI review

'is there perhaps a record of any of you ever at any time so far having discussed the problem of making government offices safe neutral mother woman and child friendly spaces especially at Christmas time? In future?’

FOI unclear 75 score 11 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2020-01-13
Reference
FOI/19/02500 Review
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

United Nations 25th Conference of the Parties (COP 25): FOI release

Please tell me the mode of transport used by Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham to travel to the Under2 Coalition climate change summit in December 2019

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers
Published
2020-01-07
Reference
FOI/201900009136
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Beatrice Wishart MSP meetings and meeting requests: FOI release

The dates of all meetings that have taken place and a list of all meeting requests between Beatrice Wishart MSP and Scottish Government ministers and cabinet secretaries?

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2019-12-20
Reference
FOI/201900008040
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister media appearances: FOI release

You asked for The total sums of media appearance fees paid to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for media appearances (i.e. television and radio) since she took up her office in 2014. Please brake down by years.

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2019-12-02
Reference
FOI/201900006007
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Marketing cost for Independence and Brexit: FOI release

How much money was spent by the Scottish government on adverts and marketing related to Scottish independence over the last 5 years? Can I have this broken down year by year please? Could this data be broken down into the following: a) Facebook ads b) Twitter ads c) Total social media spend d) Billboards/posters e) TV ...

FOI unclear 50 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2019-11-26
Reference
FOI/201900005611
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Brexit, Money and tax, Public sector

Wardrobe and appearance expenditure of Deputy First Minister: FOI release

Any expenses claims by John Swinney for clothes, shoes or beauty treatments over the last five years. Please include at least the following information: amount claimed, the products/services purchased and the date.

FOI unclear 55 score 15 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2019-11-14
Reference
FOI/201900005370
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Wardrobe and appearance expenditure for Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work: FOI release

Any expenses claims by Derek Mackay for clothes, shoes or beauty treatments over the last five years. Please include at least the following information: amount claimed, the products/services purchased and the date.

FOI unclear 55 score 15 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2019-11-14
Reference
FOI/201900005372
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector