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
159 matching releases

Correspondence with Electoral Commission regarding the Referendums Bill: FOI release

Between 1 July 2020 to present: Copies of correspondence (emails, briefings, letters, hand-written notes, memos, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls and/or otherwise) between the Scottish Government and the Electoral Commission regarding the Referendums Bill.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-01-19
Reference
FOI/202000105330
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence concerning updating the ‘Scotland’s Future’ publication: FOI release

Copies of correspondence (emails, texts, whatsapp messages, written notes, minutes of calls, minutes of meetings and/or otherwise) between civil servants and/or Special Advisors and/or members of the Scottish Government Cabinet regarding the need to update the ‘Scotland’s Future’ paper originally published in November ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30
Published
2020-11-25
Reference
FOI/202000096481
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Copies of minutes for the Scottish Government Cabinet Meeting on 30 June 2020: FOI release

1. Copies of minutes for the Scottish Government Cabinet Meeting on 30 June 2020. 2. Any papers and/or briefings that were circulated to the Scottish Government Cabinet from civil servants, special advisors and/or otherwise in preparation for the Cabinet meeting on 30 June 2020. 3. Copies of correspondence from/to civi...

FOI already published 80 score 18 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.30 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.36(1) s.17(1) 6 attachments
Published
2020-11-12
Reference
FOI/202000090391
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Briefings analysing the UK Internal Market Bill: FOI release

From 1 July 2020 to present: • Copies of any civil servants briefings analysing the UK Internal Market Bill.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence briefings s.30 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-06
Reference
FOI/202000089283
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Brexit, Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill FOI legislation changes: FOI release

In relation to the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill (https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/114929.aspx) I would like to request the following material: Any briefings or analysis documents outlining the need for / details of proposed changes to FOI legislation

FOI partially withheld 90 score 156 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2020-11-06
Reference
FOI/202000025366
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Coronavirus legislation, rules and regulations and ongoing reviews: FOI release

Coronavirus legislation and rationale for continuation of rules and regulations regarding lockdown must be reviewed every twenty one days by law. Please provide me with following. Dates , times of each meeting to date since the start. Policy decisions, with rationale and minutes determining outcomes informing continua...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 71 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-09-29
Reference
FOI/202000043924
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Correspondence relating to visit by Prime Minister July 2020: FOI release

Copies of any correspondence (whatsapp messages, texts, minutes of phone calls, emails, memos, briefings and/or otherwise) between civil servants, Special Advisors and/or the Scottish Government Cabinet regarding Boris Johnson’s visit to Scotland on 23 July 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.30 6 attachments
Published
2020-09-15
Reference
FOI/202000065514
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Changes to FOI in Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill – meetings: FOI release

This is an FOI request in relation to the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill. I would like to request the following material: 1. Details (dates, attendees etc) of all meetings where proposed changes to Freedom of Information rules were discussed 2. Any associated documents from the above meetings (NB this should include minut...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 49 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-06-17
Reference
FOI/202000025364
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Coronavirus infection and abortion care services: FOI release

A full copy of any and all communications between the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates and the below listed persons and organisations concerning the UK Governments recent allowance of home abortions under the guise of counter Coronavirus measures: Matt Hancock MP UK Department of Health British G...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence s.28(1) s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2020-05-28
Reference
FOI/202000025985
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

The Scotland Act 1998 (Modification of Schedule 5) Order 2013 and other publications: FOI release

You asked for the following: The Scottish Government publication "Scotland's Right to Choose", The First Minister's Section 30 request to the United Kingdom Government and The “Section 30” legislation and guidance on its application and subsequent process to be followed for Scottish Referendums.

FOI released 100 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 2 attachments
Published
2020-01-29
Reference
FOI/202000010912
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence concerning what question should be used in a future independence referendum: FOI release

You asked for: A copy of all evidence and internal Scottish Government and Ministerial communications relating to the research and evidence that has been used to support the Cabinet Secretary's claim that the majority of people agree the same question should be used in a future independence referendum.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-12-06
Reference
FOI/201900006184
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Orders under Section 30(2) of the Scotland Act 1998: FOI release

You asked how many times an Order under the procedure established in Section 30(2) of the Scotland Act 1998 has been used, and asked for information on the date orders were requested, requested by whom (Holyrood or Westminster), the date agreed or rejected, and subject matter of request.

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30(2) s.30
Published
2019-12-02
Reference
FOI/201900005928
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Information Commissioner decision 121/2019 and FoI/18/02260 correspondence: FOI release

You asked for “Any correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, documents or otherwise) since August 2018 on the topic of FoI/18/02260 and/or the Scottish Information Commissioner decision 121/2019 between any of the following people: Scottish Government Ministers, spec...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.47(1) 6 attachments
Published
2019-09-20
Reference
FOI/201900003579
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Material relating to FOI Appeal on request FOI/201900000117: FOI release

You asked for; all correspondence, information contained in discussions and all material supplied by Scottish Government to the Scottish Information Commissioner in relation to his relating to request “Independent Scrutiny of Inter Agency Decision Ref 092/2019.

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.47(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-07-04
Reference
FOI/201900001987
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meetings or communications regarding currency: FOI release

1. Any correspondence (letters, emails, minutes, call logs or otherwise) to/from Derek Mackay, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance that contain the terms: ‘new currency’; ‘Scottish pound’; ‘euro’; ‘currency union’, over a period from September 2018 to present. 2. Any correspondence (letters, emails, minutes, call logs o...

FOI cost limit 70 score 14 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.38(1) s.30 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-04-05
Reference
FOI/19/00752
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

First Minister’s correspondence regarding Sustainable Growth Commission: FOI release

Any correspondence received or sent by the First Minister regarding the SNP’s ‘Sustainable Growth Commission’ since May 2018.

FOI already published 80 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-04-05
Reference
FOI/19/00753
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Public Interest Test used in Freedom of Information requests: FOI review

For the last 500 responses (see note 1) to Freedom of Information requests issued by the Scottish Government please: (A) State the total number of times the Public Interest Test was used. (B) Summarise in a table the total number of times the Public Interest Test was used by FOISA qualified exemption category (an exe...

FOI not held 45 score 7 working days correspondence s.30 s.17(1) s.15 s.15(1)
Published
2019-03-20
Reference
FOI/19/00558 Review
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Briefings/documents provided to ministers on a second independence referendum: FOI release

Details of any briefings by civil servants or documents provided to SG ministers on the topic of a second independence referendum from 21 September 2018 to 23 January 2019.

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30
Published
2019-02-19
Reference
FOI/19/00285
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications with the Scottish Information Commissioner regarding intervention: FOI release

All communication between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Information Commissioner relating to: The letter, published 1/6/17, raising concerns of journalists regarding the Scottish Government's FOI policies The SIC intervention into the Scottish Government's handling of FOI requests, announced in November 201...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.43(3) 6 attachments
Published
2018-07-18
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Clearance of the requestor's requests submitted since 01/08/2017: FOI release

1. Regarding all of my FOISA requests tabled to the SG since August 1st 2017, please provide all examples of clearance by Ministers/Ministerial offices, including emails andthe content of attachments in emails. 2. Regarding all of my FOISA requests tabled to the SG since August 1st 2017, please provide all emails (and...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-07-17
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector