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
207 matching releases

Discussions of independence referendum and the Supreme Court in cabinet meetings: FOI release

On how many occasions in (i) The calendar year 2022 (ii) the financial year 2022 2023 has the Scottish Government Cabinet discussed another independence referendum at meetings of the Cabinet? On how many occasions did the Cabinet discuss the Supreme Court at meetings of the Cabinet?

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200330040
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Currency meeting regarding updated prospectus for independence: FOI release

In May 2022, a meeting was scheduled to be held at Bute House which was described as “a focused policy discussion about currency to test in detail the propositions in this area which are to be addressed in the updated prospectus for independence.” The meeting was originally scheduled for 9th May 2022 but appears to ha...

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence meetings 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-05
Reference
FOI/202300373215
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

David Lonsdale and Ewan MacDonald-Russell of the Scottish Retail Consortium, relating to their input in Building a New Scotland: FOI release

Any correspondence, meeting minutes, briefings or notes, between the Scottish Government and David Lonsdale and Ewan MacDonald-Russell of the Scottish Retail Consortium, relating to their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper, as referenced in the FOI ...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200331354
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Contracts issued to print material for Independence: FOI release

Contracts that were issued to print any material for Independence but now cancelled. Was any payments made to companies in advance of printing any material, if so what was the cost.

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence contracts spending
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202300338284
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Civil servants working on Independence in the modern world paper: FOI release

Can I please request the following information: The number of civil servants who worked on the Renewing Democracy through Independence paper from the Scottish Government. The total number of printed copies of this paper were made in total. If you can’t give me the overall total number of printed copies of the paper,...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
202300358658
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staffing numbers for Draft Independence Referendum Bill: FOI release

"The Scottish Government published the Draft Independence Referendum Bill on 22 March 2021: The total cost of this to date. Not including the consultation. The number of civil servants that worked on this at the time and their pay grades."

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
FOI/202300376995
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cost of preparing Building a New Scotland publication: FOI release

1. How much money was spent on writing and developing the Building a New Scotland- A stronger economy with independence prospectus? Breakdown of these costs. 2. How much money was spent on writing and developing the second independence and first independence prospectuses in the series and breakdown of these costs? 3....

FOI unclear 55 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.2 s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200325194
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice provided regarding independence referendum: FOI release

Please provide me with the legislative advice and reference provided to the Scottish Government and First Minister relating to the proposed Independence Referendum as referred to by the Information Commissioner in recent media.

FOI unclear 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202200299367
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Number of civil servants working on independence prospectus: FOI release

The number of civil servants currently working to develop the proposed independence prospectus. The pay grade of each staff member.

FOI unclear 55 score 12 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-09
Reference
202300358409
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Number of civil servants producing Yes movement material: FOI release

On 12th May 2023, Minister for Independence, Jamie Hepburn published an article on yes.scot in which he stated: “Work is well underway to produce new materials for our activists.” Please disclose the number of Scottish Government employees who have worked on producing new materials for “Yes movement” activists, broke...

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-09
Reference
202300356472
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Emails between Scottish Government and Sinn Fein: FOI release

The total number of e-mails sent between Scottish Government and Sinn Fein e-mail accounts each year, starting from 30 March 2023 up to present day. The contents of these e-mails. If possible, details of who sent these e-mails (for example, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for XXX) and what date the email was sent...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-09
Reference
202300360947
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

'A Stronger Economy With Independence' civil servants and printed copies: FOI release

The number of civil servants who worked on the 'A Stronger Economy With Independence' paper from the Scottish Government. The total number of printed copies of this paper were made in total. If not the overall total number of printed copies of the paper, then the number of printed copies of this paper that were handed ...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202300358659
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Annual cost and nature of work on independence prospectus: FOI release

Following the Minister for Independence appearance on The Sunday Show where he alluded to the fact that 20 civil servants were still working on an independence prospectus, notwithstanding the fact that the UK Supreme Court had advised that the Scottish Government cannot hold a referendum can you advise: How much the s...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202300358072
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information on money spent on Parliamentary Liaison Officers John Swinney MSP and Kate Forbes MSP: FOI release

You requested "information on the amount of money spent on Parliamentary Liaison Officers for John Swinney MSP and Kate Forbes MSP since 2018 to the present. Please provide per year spend per the number of Parliamentary Liaison Officers for each MSP."

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202200333055
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff working on the proposed independence prospectus: FOI release

Can I please request the following information: The number of civil servants currently working to develop the proposed independence prospectus. The pay grade of each staff member. Are these civil servants paid by the taxpayer or through the SNP?

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
202200335629
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff working on Independence Prospectus: FOI release

If the number of civil servants currently working to develop the proposed Independence Prospectus has changed or remains one Senior Civil Servant and twenty-three other officials. Also, the grade pay of each staff member.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2023-10-31
Reference
FOI/202300373699
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Civil servants working on the Building a New Scotland series of papers: FOI release

FOI request With respect to the team of civil servants working on the Building a New Scotland series of papers, please disclose: The number civil servants working on the papers as of 18th November 2022 The maximum number of civil servants who have been working on the papers at any one time, since the team was created ...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2023-10-30
Reference
202200331032
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff who worked on the Renewing Democracy through Independence paper: FOI release

The number of civil servants who worked on the Renewing Democracy through Independence paper from the Scottish Government. The total number of printed copies of this paper were made in total. If you can’t give me the overall total number of printed copies of the paper, can I please have the number of printed copies o...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-10-17
Reference
202300358646
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Civil servants who worked on Devolution since Brexit Referendum: FOI release

The total number of civil servants who worked on the Devolution since the Brexit Referendum document that was published on 14 June 2023: Devolution since the Brexit Referendum - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) The pay grades of these staff members. The total cost to create and publish this document.

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-09-11
Reference
202300361923
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Questions relating to work on "Building a New Scotland" document: FOI release

With respect to the team of civil servants working on the Building a New Scotland series of papers, please disclose: The number civil servants working on the papers as of 28th July 2023 The number of civil servants who have asked to be redeployed away from the writing of the Building a New Scotland series of papers, i...

FOI unclear 55 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2023-08-30
Reference
FOI/202300368947
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Building a new Scotland, Public sector

Responsibility for pensions in an independent Scotland: FOI release

With reference to 202200323769. This notes “ Responsibility for paying for state pensions would rest with the Scottish Government.” I would like to request any information clarifying if responsibility in this context means simply the administrative responsibility of making these payments or the full responsibility whic...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence spending
Published
2023-08-21
Reference
FOI/202300367429
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

List of all external meetings of Constitutional Futures Division: FOI release

Please provide a list of all external (ie outside Scot Gov) persons or organisations that civil servants working for the Constitutional Futures Division have met with (in person or virtually), 1st May 2021 - date.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence meetings
Published
2023-07-25
Reference
FOI/202300362511
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Creating a modern constitution for an independent Scotland: FOI release

The number of civil servants who worked on the Creating a modern constitution for an independent Scotland paper from the Scottish Government? The total number of printed copies of this paper were made in total? If you can’t give me the overall total number of printed copies of the paper, can I please have the number ...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-07-24
Reference
FOI/202300362729
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector