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
1,334 matching releases

Home and hybrid working policies for Scottish Government staff: FOI release

I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. I would be grateful if you could provide the following information: 1. What is the Scottish Government's current hybrid working policy, including the minimum number of days per week or month that staff in hybrid roles...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence meetings s.5 s.8 s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2026-07-15
Reference
FOI/202600515340
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence which mentions King Charles: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, which mentions King Charles, limited to the first ministers office and external affairs/constitution office between February 15 2026 a...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.41 s.30 4 attachments
Published
2026-07-14
Reference
FOI/202600514691
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Election 2026 Internal Readiness Project Board documentation: FOI release

The actions notes, substantive papers, update reports to senior leadership, distributed by the Election 2026 Internal Readiness Project Board, referred to by the response to FOI 202600509907

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-07-13
Reference
FOI/202600514532
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Freedom of Information vexatious or repeated requests data: FOI Review

Original request 202600510718 1) Please provide the number of Freedom of Information requests refused by the Scottish Government for being vexatious since John Swinney became First Minister. Also provide the same for the time Humza Yousaf was First Minister and the same for when Nicola Sturgeon was First Minister. 2)...

FOI already published 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.14 s.17(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.14(1) s.15(1) s.21
Published
2026-07-13
Reference
FOI/202600514634 Review of 202600510718
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Podcast transcript for Preparing for the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Election: FOI release

Any intranet posts and comments on or about the Election 2026 Internal Readiness Project Board between February 1 2026 to April 13 2026.

FOI released 95 score 20 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-20
Reference
FOI/202600514538
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Compliance Metrics and quality assurance processes for FOI case management and documentation in 2025: FOI release

“Under FOI, please provide me with stats and figures relating to “casserole compliance” in 2025. Please also explain how every FOI case is quality assured that the same “compliance documents” are filled out and stored in the case file”.

FOI unclear 75 score 9 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-15
Reference
FOI/202600514647
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Direct communication between the First Minister and Permanent Secretary and their associated offices: FOI Review

Original Request 202600508787 Under FOI, I would like to request all documentation exchanged between the (1) First Minister and his office, and (2) Joe griffin and his office from 01 December to the date of this FOI. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not where either party have been copied to a chain of emails. Thi...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-14
Reference
FOI/202600513029 - Review of 202600508787
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Brand Scotland marketing spend information: FOI release

1. For each financial year since 2020-21, please provide the amount spent on marketing by Brand Scotland, if possible, broken down by category (ie digital, broadcast, print, etc). 2. Please also provide the budgets for this spending in the current and next financial year.

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence spending
Published
2026-05-13
Reference
FOI/202600503218
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister emails relating to Lord Advocate and former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party: FOI release

A copy of any email in the First Minister’s inbox (sent by him or received by him) relating to the Lord Advocate or Peter Murrell that was received or sent on 16th, February, 17th February, 18th February and 19th February.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.28(1) s.35(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-13
Reference
FOI/202600512647
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Number of Freedom of Information requests which have proceeded to a review: FOI release

I would like statistics on the number of FOIs which were dealt with by Ministerial Private Pffice staff and the number of those FOIs which then needed to be reviewed in 2025. For avoidance of doubt, this is an FOI Review. I would also like stats on the overall number of FOIs received by Scottish Government in 2025 and...

FOI unclear 50 score 6 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2026-05-13
Reference
FOI/202600505303
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial expenses of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon: FOI release

In light of the information pertaining to Peter Murrell it is clear that there might have been some fraudulent activity with regards to SNP accounts. Can you please advise and reassure us that the expenses of the former first minister Nicola Sturgeon have been thoroughly checked to ensure that the same invoices were no...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2026-05-13
Reference
FOI/202600506652
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Sensitive and routine Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

In reference to the express article linked here: https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/snp-special-advisers-oversawhundreds-35647218 1) How many FOI requests from January 16th 2025 to January 15th 2026 were deemed "routine" 2) How many FOI requests from January 16th 2025 to January 15th 2026 were deeme...

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence ministers special advisers
Published
2026-05-12
Reference
FOI/202600513776
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs dealt with by the Scottish Government in a) 2025 b) 2024 c) 2023 d) 2022. 2. The number of FOIs not responded to within the 28 day time frame in a) 2025 b) 2024 c) 2023 d) 2022. 3. The number of FOIs not responded to within 20 days of receiving confirmation following a clarification request a) 2...

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence
Published
2026-05-12
Reference
FOI/202600501634
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost of running the “We are Scotland" campaign: FOI release

The total cost/total budgeted cost of running the campaign entitled “We are Scotland - Scottish Government’s Community Cohesion Campaign” broken down by type of cost – for example, television advertising, outdoor advertising, graphic creation, etc.

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence spending
Published
2026-05-12
Reference
FOI/202600501724
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Minutes sent by Lord Advocates to First Minister and government staff advising of upcoming court cases: FOI release

Please send me all minutes sent by Lord Advocates to First Ministers and government staff advising them of high profile cases due in court. The Lord Advocate said the minute on the Murrell case on 19 January 2026 was part of a routine series of minutes and these minutes do not contain any privileged information that w...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.26 s.35(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-12
Reference
FOI/202600507614
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister Branchform update correspondence: FOI release

The Lord Advocate has shared a list of other occasions in which she informed the First Minister of details of criminal cases. The list revealed that on 20th March 2025 the First Minister was informed about Peter Murrell appearing in court, the charge of embezzlement, and an estimated amount of alleged embezzlement amo...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-12
Reference
FOI/202600508326
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

First Minister emails related to the Lord Advocate and the former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party: FOI release

A copy of any email in the First Minister’s inbox relating to the Lord Advocate or Peter Murrell that was received on 20th February, 21st February , 22nd February and 23rd February. (2026)

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-12
Reference
FOI/202600508331
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Permanent Secretary correspondence: FOI release

Under FOI I would like to request all correspondence and notes of meetings between Joe Griffin and ministers in January 2026 to date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-12
Reference
FOI/202600509753
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture work attendance information: FOI release

Could you supply me with how many working days Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has spent in Scotland and how many days he has spent outwith Scotland on government business in 2023.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2026-05-12
Reference
FOI/202600501566
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff feedback on election guidance: FOI release

1) Any correspondence including Teams messages, emails, or intranet posts or comments on or to the Election 2026 Internal Readiness Project Board. 2) Any actions note, agendas, meeting minutes, or documents prepared for or distributed by the board, including any summaries of findings or survey results. 3) Any respons...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings spending s.3 s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-12
Reference
FOI/202600509907
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture working days information: FOI release

Could you supply me with how many working days Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has spent in Scotland and how many days he has spent outwith Scotland on government business in 2025.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2026-05-12
Reference
FOI/202600501543
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector