Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,864releases indexed
39,478attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,113partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-06-12newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,113 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4931 s.20 4280 s.34(1) 3589 s.39(2) 3481 s.30 2878 s.17(1) 2774 s.25(1) 2381 s.10(4) 1987 s.11(2) 1571 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1158 s.3 908

Timeline

2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,279 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 967 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 923 releases · 31.0 avg days Learning Directorate 861 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 729 releases · 39.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 633 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
1,279 matching releases

Salary and costs for the Cabinet Office assigned to the Minister for Independence: FOI release

The monthly/annual running costs for the Cabinet Office assigned to the Minister for Independence. Broke down into following. Minister’s salary. Staff(s) salary. Estimated office costs (office space and relevant office supplies, running costs for phones/postage and equipment).

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
202300349523
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Judiciary Committee members: FOI release

You requested information about the 'Judiciary Committee', 'when was it formed who was the first minister and who was the justice minister and the person /people who proposed it.'

FOI unclear 50 score 5 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
202300350269
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Spend on advertising: FOI release

Total spend on advertising in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 In 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 what percentage of Scottish Government ad spend went on: (a) digital advertising and of that, what percentage was: (b) personalised advertising traded through Real Time Bidding on the open exchange In 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021...

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence spending s.20
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
202300339065
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Freedom of Information (FOIs) cases discussed at Cabinet: FOI release

During the Scottish Parliament's Convener's Group meeting on September 27, 2023, Humza Yousaf said that certain FOIs had been brought to cabinet to discuss. Which FOIs were they, why were they brought to cabinet, and what was the resulting decision? Please also provide the responses to the FOIs that were brought to Cab...

FOI not held 45 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
FOI/202300378309
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Dorothy Bain KC’s and Ruth Charteris KC's full current register of interests: FOI release

Dorothy Bain KC’s full current register of interests and any amendments or previous versions of the register of interests the Scottish Government possesses. Ruth Charteris KC’s full current register of interests and any amendments or previous versions of the register of interests the Scottish Government possesses.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 3 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
202300358743
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff numbers and pay for Scottish Government corporate communications department with duties involving health and social care: FOI release

How many staff are employed within the Scottish Government corporate communications department (or equivalent) with duties involving the health and social care portfolio? What pay banding do each of the staff members within the department with duties relating to the health and social care portfolio fall into? Please ad...

FOI released 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.5 s.10 s.2
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
202300352626
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government social media channels posts and comments: FOI release

1. Do the Scottish Government have any contracts with social media companies to utilise artificial intelligence algorithims with regards to posts and or comments generated by all government agencies on social media? 2. Can the Scottish Government confirm posts generated on social media that are from official governmen...

FOI not held 40 score 14 working days correspondence contracts
Published
2023-11-20
Reference
FOI/202300376348
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Travel by Ministers for Party Political Occasions: FOI release

In Section 9.23 of the Ministerial Code, Travel by Ministers – Party Political Occasions, it states that; ‘Where a visit is a mix of political and official engagements, it is important that the Government and the party each meet a proper proportion of the actual cost’. Please provide information on whether or not the S...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.9 s.17(1) s.39(1)
Published
2023-11-20
Reference
FOI/202300373939
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Social media and media advertising spend on COVID-19 vaccination programme: FOI release

The amount of money spent by the Scottish Government on social media and media advertising to encourage people to take the COVID-19 vaccinations, including paying or rewarding 'social media influencers', media personalities and public figures.

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-16
Reference
FOI/202300375231
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy trip to Iceland: FOI release

Neil Gray flew to Iceland on 13 June 2023 and returned 15 June 2023. On 13 June 2023, from what airport in Scotland did he fly from? And what airport in Iceland did he fly to? On 15 June 2023, from what airport in Iceland did he fly from? And what airport in Scotland did he fly to?

FOI unclear 50 score 5 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-15
Reference
FOI/202300375978
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

System for Ministerial Advice: FOI release

Is there a system to ensure that the advice which ministers receive is appropriate? If so, is there a record of whether they chose to act upon it?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings
Published
2023-11-13
Reference
FOI/202300374187
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence that mentions BBC journalist Sarah Smith: FOI release

Please provide all emails or correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon, her office, civil servants and James Dornan MSP and his office that mention BBC journalist Sarah Smith from January and February this year. Please provide any internal Scottish Government emails or correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon and other memb...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.17(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-13
Reference
202200285489
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister Christmas cards: FOI release

Please provide me with a list of recipients for the First Minister's Christmas card.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200332512
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister face covering incident - Police Scotland correspondence: FOI release

The method through which police officers spoke ‘to the First Minister to remind her of the importance of wearing a face covering when there is a legal requirement to do so’ as per Police Scotland’s statement on 18 April 2022. All correspondence (including WhatsApps, phone calls, text messages, emails and meetings) betw...

FOI unclear 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-09
Reference
202200295176
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Nicola Sturgeon's access to chauffer driven cars since leaving office: FOI release

Does Ex FM Nicola Sturgeon have access to chauffer driven cars from the Scottish Government? When did Ex FM Nicola Sturgeons access to Scottish Governments chauffer driven cars cease?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202300349395
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Nicola Sturgeon diary between February 2022 and April 2023: FOI release

Nicola Sturgeon's ministerial car journeys between February 2022 and the date of this FOI, including where she went and the return journey. If you cannot supply this, explain why not? - If this costs too much, can it be between August 2022 and the date of this FOI Has Nicola Sturgeon used a ministerial car since she of...

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202300351941
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government's social monitoring activity: FOI release

You asked for further information about the Scottish Government's social monitoring activity over the past five years.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence spending
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202300359950
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Which official body is empowered to investigate: FOI release

The Scottish Government’s procedures in the following circumstances: If a minister in the Scottish Government misleads the Scottish Parliament, and does not voluntarily make a correction, which person or official body is empowered to investigate whether parliament has been misled? Are they also empowered to investigat...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202300342786
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Angus Robertson's trip to Paris: FOI release

How long did Angus Robertson stay in Paris? How did Angus Robertson travel to Paris? In what class did he travel (i.e. first class or economy)? And how much did this travel cost? What accommodation did Angus Robertson stay in? How much did this cost? How much did Angus Robertson spend on food and drink on his trip in P...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.27(1)
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202200323434
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Fire Alarm Standards campaign: FOI release

I would like to know what the Scottish Government budget was for the 2021 campaign and any subsequent budgeted money for follow up campaigns from the end of the 2021 campaign to the present time. Could you also provide information about actual spend for the 2021 campaign and also further money spent on follow up campai...

FOI unclear 50 score 10 working days correspondence spending
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202200332374
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

SNP leadership event attendance: FOI release

The number, names and job titles of Scottish Government officials who were in attendance at the SNP’s event at Murrayfield announcing their leader on 27 March 2023. This should not include Scottish Ministers (although if the Lord Advocate and/or the Solicitor General attended, please state). Please provide the number o...

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202300349068
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Number of accounts blocked on twitter: FOI release

The number of accounts blocked by the official Scottish Government account (@scotgov) and the First Minister's account (@ScotGovFM) on Twitter. Please also provide me with a list of all blocked account names which are logged in the profile settings.

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202200335379
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister use of a chauffeur driven car: FOI release

Will outgoing First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will still have: The exclusive use, on request, of a chauffeur driven car. . Is this exclusive use by her alone, and not the incoming First Minister? If continued use, what is the explanation for her to have its use. How long does the Scottish government expect this to be t...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202300348824
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Education Exchange Programme: FOI release

Can you confirm when the development of the Scottish education exchange programme was last discussed in a Scottish Government Cabinet meeting by ministers? Can you confirm every cabinet meeting where violence in schools was discussed in a Scottish Government Cabinet meeting by ministers since the May 2021?

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300358943
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector