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
322 matching releases

Correspondence relating to the second independence referendum: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, and analysis, about a second independence referendum being held, between October 1 2025 and the date of this FOI.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-02
Reference
FOI/202500490741
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Statement made regarding "lower energy bills" in the publication 'A Fresh Start with Independence': EIR release

A Fresh Start with Independence, published on 8th October 2025, includes the following remark: “being in charge of Scotland's energy resources would enable us to lower energy bills” The paper does not explain how energy bills would be lowered, and provides no evidence for why this would be possible. If the Scottish Go...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2026-01-26
Reference
FOI/202500488970
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

Grid infrastructure funding: EIR release

A Fresh Start with Independence, published on 8th October 2025, does not explain who the Scottish Government believes would pay for grid infrastructure inside Scotland after independence. Is the Scottish Government’s position that Scottish bill payers would pay for the grid in an independent Scotland, or does it believ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2026-01-26
Reference
FOI/202500489718
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Documentation that mentions former UK Prime Minister: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, which mentions Margaret Thatcher, from the last month.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488177
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Documentation regarding the Right to Decide paper: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about the Right to Decide paper, between August 1 2025 and September 30 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488196
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding "A Fresh Start with Independence": FOI release

1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the First Minister and the office of the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture regarding the “A Fresh Start with Independence” policy paper. Inform...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.30 s.38 s.39(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488712
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Budget for advertising the “A Fresh Start with Independence” paper on social media: FOI release

1) The cost of producing the “A Fresh Start with Independence” paper – broken down by all known costs. For example, design work. 2) The budget for advertising the “A Fresh Start with Independence” paper on social media. Break this down by social media platform.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.27(1) s.17(1)
Published
2026-01-19
Reference
FOI/202500488266
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cost of advertising the “A Fresh Start with Independence” paper: FOI release

1. The total cost of producing the white paper. 2. A breakdown of expenses, including (but not limited to) research, writing, design, printing, and digital publication. 3. Any additional costs associated with public dissemination or promotion of the document.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.27(1) s.17(1)
Published
2026-01-19
Reference
FOI/202500488758
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Your Right to Decide correspondence and meeting information: FOI release

1) All correspondence between the First Minister (and his office) and officials working in the Scottish Government’s Constitution Directorate since 6 May 2025. This should include emails, meetings of any kind, letters or phone calls. 2) How many meetings Scottish Ministers attended to discuss the Your Right to Decide ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2026-01-14
Reference
FOI/202500486711
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to 'Your Right to Decide' publication: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, regarding the Scottish Government’s Your right to decide publication, from the last month?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.30 s.38 4 attachments
Published
2026-01-13
Reference
FOI/202500486265
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Advance sight of “Your Right To Decide” before publication information: FOI release

All people outside the Scottish Government who had advance sight of “Your Right To Decide” before its publication on 4th September 2025. If they cannot be named, please state the organisation they work for, and their position.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-12-23
Reference
FOI/202500483252
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Parliament (Recall and Removal of Members) Bill information: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about the Scottish Parliament (Recall and Removal of Members) Bill. from the last month?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.30 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2025-12-08
Reference
FOI/202500482282
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

UK Parliament's Scottish Affairs Committee correspondence: FOI release

All emails between the Scottish Government and Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee, and all minutes/notes from meetings between them from the last three months.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence meetings 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-18
Reference
FOI/202500479579
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Independence correspondence and spend: FOI release

(1) Please can you share any correspondence sent to or from Scottish Government Ministers since January 2025 relating to Scottish Independence. (2) Please can you share the total cost of any spending by the Scottish Government since January 2025 on any research, media or other activity relating to Scottish Independenc...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-18
Reference
FOI/202500479693
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence on UK Government bypassing the Scottish Government and/or the Scottish Parliament: 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 UK Government bypassing the Scottish Government and/or the Scottish Parliament, from the last three months?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.30 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-03
Reference
FOI/202500477242
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government Officials mentioning Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse: FOI release

1. "Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the First Minister and any Scottish Government Official with a rank of Deputy Director or higher regarding the following terms “Hamilton”, “Larkhall”, “Stonehouse” or “Hamil...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-25
Reference
FOI/202500470140
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Meetings involving Constitutional Futures Division and Scottish Government ministers: FOI release

This is a follow up request to a previous FOI response. Your ref: 202500461036 The above referenced FOI response provided an item (number 19) with the title: "CFD discussion with Minister for Independence – 19 December 2023" That item includes the following remark: "Stakeholder discussions London – being planned" P...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-25
Reference
FOI/202500470786
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Closure of the Constitutional Futures Division: FOI release

Any internal communications (emails, briefings or memos etc) discussing the closure of the Constitutional Futures Division and its merger into the Constitution Directorate between 1 November 2024 and 31 January 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-23
Reference
FOI/202500468244
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Meetings between Constitutional Futures Division and Scottish Ministers on Building a New Scotland independence paper on pensions: FOI release

For the period 1st May 2021 - date, please provide a list of all meetings (in person or virtual) between civil servants in the Constitutional Futures Division and ministers in the Scottish Government which discussed the drafting of the Building a New Scotland independence paper on pensions. For each meeting, please pro...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-17
Reference
FOI/202500465531
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Meetings involving Constitutional Futures Division civil servants and Scottish Government ministers: FOI release

This is a follow up request to a previous FOI response. Your ref: 202500461036 The above referenced FOI response provided an item with the title: "Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy and Minister for Independence: Discussion on [R...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-17
Reference
FOI/202500465524
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence from the Scottish Government relating to Scottish Independence: FOI release

1. Could you supply all correspondence and minutes/notes from meetings between the Scottish Government and UK Government about Scottish independence from the last three months, and also any briefings about this? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and re...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.17(1) s.38 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-09
Reference
FOI/202500461262
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee correspondence: FOI release

For the period 4th July 2024 - date, please provide all correspondence between the Scottish Government and the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.28(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-08-25
Reference
FOI/202500467668
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Building a New Scotland series documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/note from meetings, briefings and analysis, about the Building a New Scotland series, from the last three months. How much was spent on the abandoned papers in the series, with a breakdown of cos...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-08-06
Reference
FOI/202500470226
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector