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
222 matching releases

Potential electoral reform for Holyrood elections: FOI release

Any policy documents, statements, manifestos, meeting minutes, briefings or correspondence indicating the position of the Scottish Government and/or the SNP or Scottish Greens on potential electoral reform for Holyrood elections. Details of any internal review, analysis or research carried out by the Scottish Governme...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.12 s.1(2) s.5 s.29(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 6 attachments
Published
2024-08-14
Reference
FOI/202300381562
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Independence Referendum: FOI release

1. Has the Scottish Government modelled how many embassies it would create in the event of independence and how much these would cost? If so, could you supply this modelling? If not, why? 2. All correspondence between the Scottish Government and European Council President Charles Michel between January 1 2023 and the ...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.29(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-13
Reference
FOI/202300377834
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence with CEO of Business for Scotland and Believe in Scotland: FOI release

Please provide copies of all email correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil servants, and Special Advisers) and Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, CEO of Business for Scotland and Believe in Scotland, 1st May 2021 - date.

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 4 attachments
Published
2024-02-01
Reference
FOI/202300373212
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Analysis of Building a New Scotland: a stronger economy paper: FOI release

In the independence paper "building a new Scotland: a stronger economy it is suggested that custom checks will happen on the border in the event of independence and rejoining the EU, with Jamie Hepburn also saying this on May 21. Could you supply any analysis done on this about how much potential job losses this could ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence meetings spending s.17(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.29(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-24
Reference
Analysis of Building a New Scotland: a stronger economy paper: FOI release
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding transparency of Scotland’s Governing Party: FOI review

All correspondence (including emails, letters, meetings, instant messages and phone calls) between Scottish Ministers, Scottish Government officials and SNP officials (employed by the party) regarding the debate held in the Scottish Parliament on 3 May 2023 on Transparency of Scotland’s Governing Party. This correspond...

FOI cost limit 70 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-23
Reference
FOI/202300359727 Review of 202300354998
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

David Eiser and Mairi Spowage of the Fraser of Allander Institute: FOI release

Any correspondence, meeting minutes, briefings or notes, between the Scottish Government and David Eiser and Mairi Spowage of the Fraser of Allander Institute, relating to their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper, as referenced in the FOI response r...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-12
Reference
202200331351
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Total costs to the Scottish Government of the recent referendum ruling in the UK Supreme Court: FOI release

Can you please send me a breakdown of the total costs to the Scottish Government of the recent referendum ruling in the UK Supreme Court. I would like this to be as inclusive as possible. I am interested in knowing all costs including but not restricted to: a calculation of the cost of all Scottish Government office...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.25(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-12
Reference
202200331617
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Information Commissioner's Decision Notice: 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 the Scottish Information Commissioner's Decision Notice, reference number 048-2022, and related FOIs.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 6 attachments
Published
2023-12-21
Reference
202200297190
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between First Minister, Humza Yousaf and Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak since Mr Yousaf became First Minister: FOI release

Provide any and all correspondence between First Minister Humza Yousaf and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak since Mr Yousaf became First Minister on March 28? This might include emails, letters or details/minutes of meetings, telephone calls, SMS/Whatsapp messages between Mr Yousaf and Mr Sunak. Can details/minutes of thei...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.28 s.38(1) s.28(1) s.30 s.39(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-21
Reference
202300364253
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meetings about a second independence referendum: FOI release

Minutes of meetings held between Nicola Sturgeon and Angus Robertson on preparations for a second independence referendum, including on a prospectus. Minutes of all meetings held between Nicola Sturgeon and the team working (including civil servants) on preparations for a second independence referendum, including on a ...

FOI not held 45 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.17(1)
Published
2023-12-19
Reference
202200280399
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Input of Mark Blyth to the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper - correspondence request: FOI release

Any correspondence, meeting minutes, briefings or notes, between the Scottish Government and Mark Blyth, relating to their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper, as referenced in the FOI response reference 202200325598.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-18
Reference
202200331344
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence from the public regarding the independence economic paper: FOI release

What correspondence (e-mails and letters) has John Swinney had from the public regarding the independence economic paper that was published this month? What correspondence (e-mails and letters) has Kate Forbes had from the public regarding the independence economic paper that was published this month? What correspond...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-16
Reference
202200327199
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper: FOI release

Any correspondence, meeting minutes, briefings or notes, between the Scottish Government and John Ireland of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, relating to their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper, as referenced in the FOI response reference 2022003255...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-16
Reference
202200331356
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Question testing for proposed independence referendum: FOI release

All correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) and meetings between the Scottish Government and the Electoral Commission regarding the testing of a referendum question for a proposed Scottish independence...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) 24 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200304293
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Background information on S6W-11314: FOI release

Please provide all internal memos, advice, procedural notes and other communications prepared in response to question S6W-11314, asked by Gordon MacDonald on 30 September and answered by George Adam on 3 October.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-07
Reference
202200323491
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications between the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information team and Michael Matheson: FOI release

Copies of communications between the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information team and Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport. Please include communications with his office and his Special Advisers, and restrict the search the dates between 4th April 2022 and 15th November 2022

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-07
Reference
202200330329
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Lord Advocate statement to Parliament on her referral to the Supreme Court on the matter of an Independence Bill being within the competence of the Scottish Parliament: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Lord Advocate from June 2022 in relation to requests for the Lord Advocate to provide a statement to Parliament on her referral to the Supreme Court on the matter of an independence Bill being within the competence of the Scottish Parliament.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-30
Reference
202200309710
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meeting between Jamie Hepburn and Alan Renwick from UCL: FOI release

Can you release any briefings, minutes and correspondence relating to the meeting between Jamie Hepburn and Alan Renwick from UCL on 27/04/23?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-30
Reference
FOI/202300369081
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost of First Minister's Christmas card and staff members working on independence referendum: FOI release

How much of taxpayers' money was used to print the FM’s Christmas card this year? How much of taxpayers' money was spent on the 29 civil servants' wages that were working on the Independence Referendum and what they are being re employed to work on now?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-29
Reference
202200334524
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Fixed penalty notices: FOI release

In your email, you requested the following information: I am interested in the decision to include Fixed Notice Penalties (FPNs) as a penalty for breaching the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, and the decisionmaking process behind this. Please provide copies of any correspon...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings s.20 s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200307546
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Press conference at Bute House about Supreme Court ruling: FOI release

All correspondence between ministers, special advisers and civil servants regarding the prospect of holding a press conference at Bute House on 23/11/22 about the Supreme Court ruling. This should include emails, text, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Messenger or other electronic communications, and handwritten notes.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200332116
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper: FOI release

Any correspondence, meeting minutes, briefings or notes, between the Scottish Government and Elaine Lorimer of Revenue Scotland, relating to their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper, as referenced in the FOI response reference 202200325598.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200331391
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

£20m independence fund: FOI release

What is the Scottish Government now doing with its £20m independence fund due to the Supreme Court ruling? If they are using it for independence how are you justifying it considering the Supreme Court ruled the government cannot legally legislate for a referendum? Any correspondence (including emails, WhatsApps) betwee...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200331939
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector