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
1,312 matching releases

Travel and itineraries for funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: FOI release

1. Did the Scottish Government pay for Nicola Sturgeon to head to London for the Queen's funeral and if so, how much did it cost, how did she get there and where did she stay? Breakdown of these costs. 2. Did the Scottish Government pay for Lorna Slater to head to London for the Queen's funeral and if so, how much did...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.3
Published
2024-08-05
Reference
FOI/202200322855
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Salaries and number of ministers, special advisors and civil servants in 2003, 2013 and 2023: FOI release

For each of the years 2003, 2013 and 2023 can you provide please the following information: 1. The total number of Ministers in post at The Scottish Government/The Scottish Executive. 2. The total salaries for these Ministers for the year in question. 3. The total number of civil servants dedicated to the Private Of...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.4 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.27(1)
Published
2024-08-01
Reference
FOI/202400421758
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public Sector

Number of times Hydrogen and Heat Pumps have been discussed at Cabinet: FOI release

The number of times that hydrogen has been discussed at cabinet since 29 March 2023; The number of times that heat pumps and heat networks have been discussed at cabinet since 29 March 2023.

FOI unclear 50 score 4 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2024-07-30
Reference
FOI/202300359854
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show - Deputy First Minister's interview 19th November 2023: FOI release

All emails, correspondence, WhatsApp messages, text messages and notes in relation to the Deputy First Minister's interview appearance and subsequent cancellation for BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show episode of Sunday 19 November.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2024-07-18
Reference
FOI/202300385699
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Building a New Scotland Publications: FOI release

This is a follow up request to a previous FOI response. Your ref: 202300365543. Please can the same questions answered in the above referenced FOI response be answered again, and brought fully up to date. In other words, the answers should now include all eleven "Building a New Scotland" papers so far published, and d...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2024-07-10
Reference
FOI/202400403680
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Building a new Scotland, Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Former First Minister's interests correspondence: FOI release

Any internal or external correspondence, including any attachments, WhatsApp messages, text messages, instant messaging, memos, OneNotes, minutes, agendas, appendixes or other correspondence relating to Aamer Anwar being included as a "personal friend" in the First Minister's interests.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-07-04
Reference
FOI/202300390913
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry sent to the Former First Minister between 26 June 2023 – 2 July 2023: FOI release

A copy of correspondence (email, letter and informal messages) including references to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry sent to the First Minister or his office between 26 June 2023 – 2 July 2023 (inclusive). For each request please provide all copies of attachments sent alongside this correspondence.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 4 attachments
Published
2024-06-18
Reference
FOI/202400394928
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

British Sign Language videos on the Scottish Government website: FOI release

How many videos are available in British Sign Language on the following websites: www.gov.scot/health‐and‐social‐care

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence
Published
2024-06-12
Reference
FOI/202400413941
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Health and social care, Public sector

First Minister attending the memorial service for the late Alistair Darling: FOI release

Any electronic or postal correspondence that the Scottish Government holds regarding the First Minister attending the memorial service for the late Alistair Darling on 19 December 2023.

FOI released 100 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.31 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2024-06-05
Reference
FOI/202300390476
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands BBC Shetland interview: FOI release

1. Who was interviewed from the Scottish Government by BBC Shetland on October 4 2023? 2. All briefing notes prepared for their interview. 3. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government setting up the interview and any correspondence sent following the interview, 4. Minutes written from the inter...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-05-21
Reference
FOI/202300390822
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, Public sector

Ministerial Preferences: FOI release

I would like to request the most up to date version of the document that states Ministerial preferences for how briefings, speeches and correspondence are prepared and handled.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings 2 attachments
Published
2024-05-14
Reference
FOI/202300386996
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Consultation Good Practice handbook: FOI release

You asked for the consultation best practice handbook.

FOI released 95 score 17 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2024-05-14
Reference
FOI/202300387651
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Lorna Slater MSP, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity - Mobile phone: FOI release

I have read that on Martin Geissler's BBC Sunday Show Lorna Slater the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, revealed that she does not have a government phone. Was that statement true? If she does not have a government phone and urgent contact by telephone by or from the Minister is required, ...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2024-05-13
Reference
FOI/202300386824
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021: FOI release

How much has the SG spent in calendar year 2024 on advertising in relation to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021? The total figure should include online/social media advertising and you would like a separate breakdown for advertising on social media platforms.

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence
Published
2024-05-02
Reference
FOI/202400409010
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Bute House Agreement meetings: FOI release

How many Scottish Government Cabinet meetings Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater have attended since the Bute House Agreement and the present day and when each of these meetings were attended for each of the two Greens ministers. I would also like to know why they attended each Cabinet meeting and what was discussed.”

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30
Published
2024-04-30
Reference
FOI/202400402561
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

FOI requests rejected due to exceeding the cost limit and Section 29(1)(a) exemption: FOI release

1) the number of FOI requests made to the Scottish Government and its agencies which have been rejected due to exceeding the cost limit of £600 2) the number of FOI requests made to the Scottish Government and its agencies which have been rejected under the guise of the application of the Section 29(1)(a) exemption.

FOI cost limit 45 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.29(1)
Published
2024-04-30
Reference
FOI/202400407491
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Records of Ministerial decisions: FOI release

How decisions taken by Scottish ministers are recorded and specifically: The system used. The information recorded for each decision (eg: date, minister’s name, summary of decision) and a summary of categories (eg positive policy decision, negative funding decision). What other information is recorded on this system (...

FOI unclear 50 score 4 working days correspondence ministers briefings
Published
2024-04-24
Reference
FOI/202400408757
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Social Media Management Platforms used: FOI Release

1. Do you use a Social Media Management platform? 2. If so, what tools do you use? 3. What is your annual spend on a Social Media Management tool? 4. What dates does your contract with your current supplier end (month & year)? 5. Do you use a tool for Social Listening and/or a Media Monitoring platform? 6. If so, ...

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending
Published
2024-04-22
Reference
FOI/202400405449
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Photograph of First Minister, and Scottish Green Party Co-Leaders: FOI release

Information relating to a photograph of First Minister Humza Yousaf, Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, as linked here: https://x.com/HumzaYousaf/status/1640418687915106309?s=20.

FOI released 75 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.17
Published
2024-04-18
Reference
FOI/202400391510
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

All emails, text messages, WhatsApp's, minutes and other forms of communications of/between Ministers, SPADs, civil servants and other Scottish Government officials regarding/referencing/discussing the court case known as The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23) up ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2024-04-18
Reference
FOI/202300388336
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister's family moving into Bute House: FOI release

Please provide me with any correspondence, briefing notes and memos concerning Humza Yousaf’s family moving into Bute House.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-04-16
Reference
FOI/202300384069
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meetings the First Minister has attended between and including - 1st October 2023 and 31st January 2024: FOI release

1. A list of meetings the First Minister of Scotland has attended between and including - 1st October 2023 and 31st January 2024. 2. A list of these meetings that have minutes available as to their content. 3. A list of these meetings that do not have minutes available or minutes are not being provided for public vie...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.27(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.4
Published
2024-04-15
Reference
FOI/202400396967
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Budget to promote Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act: FOI release

What budget has been set aside by the Scottish Government to promote through advertisement social media, TV, etc the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021?

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence
Published
2024-04-12
Reference
FOI/202400405350
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, 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