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

Scottish Government use of independent research agency: FOI release

"Who was the ‘independent research agency’ referred to and how much has the Scottish Government spent with this agency in this year."

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence
Published
2021-01-12
Reference
FOI/202000104615
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister daily media briefings' associated costs: FOI release

How much STV/BBC are being paid of Scottish tax payers money on daily briefings by the SNP.

FOI unclear 50 score 6 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending
Published
2021-01-11
Reference
FOI/202000125533
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Public information adverts and general advertising campaigns regarding COVID-19:FOI release

The financial cost of Public Information Adverts and general advertising campaigns regarding Covid.

FOI unclear 50 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2020-11-23
Reference
FOI/202000096049
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

NHS and Scottish Government social media campaign budget spend: FOI release

How much of the taxpayers money has been recorded as being budgeted for the "Stick to the rules and help protect our businesses and jobs" joint NHS-Scottish Government campaign that is currently running on a 24 hour cycle on the social media platforms such as YouTube and Spotify.

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence spending
Published
2020-11-23
Reference
FOI/202000108814
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Correspondence between the First Minister and the Prime Minister of New Zealand: FOI release

"I want to know how many times Nicola Sturgeon has contacted Jacinda Ardern PM of New Zealand by email and telephone in the past 6 months".

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2020-11-09
Reference
FOI/202000091242
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, International, Public sector

Scottish Government estates and selling of alcohol: FOI release

1. What provision is made within Scottish Government buildings of facilities which are licensed to sell alcohol? 2. Are the hours during which alcohol is sold the same as in non-Scottish Government buildings in Scotland? 3. Have any changes been made to the permitted hours within the last 12 months and, if so, what w...

FOI unclear 55 score 4 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2020-11-06
Reference
FOI/202000092535
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government Special Adviser WhatsApp group titles: FOI release

1. The titles of WhatsApp groups that Scottish Government Special Advisors are in.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp
Published
2020-11-06
Reference
FOI/202000087805
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

The First Minister's office and Special advisers of the Scottish Government: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles not names of individuals) for the First Minister's Office, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government.

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers
Published
2020-10-29
Reference
FOI/202000082245
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FACTS Public Health Campaign: FOI release

What options were being considered by ministers and clinical advisers for Scotland’s public health campaign, which ended up being FACTS. I would appreciate knowing what acronyms, messaging or other were being considered.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers contracts
Published
2020-10-28
Reference
FOI/202000094026
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Scottish Government newspaper advertising funding: FOI release

The figures, on how much taxpayers money, the Scottish Government has given to the following publications; The Scotsman. The Herald. The National. The Dundee Courier. The Press & Journal. The Inverness Courier. and any other publications that have received Scottish Government funding.

FOI unclear 50 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2020-10-21
Reference
FOI/202000062491
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

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