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

Information pertaining to services of Ethics Advisor: FOI release

Does the Scottish Cabinet Ministers retain the services of an Ethics Advisor? If so, who is that person, and how much are they paid?

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2022-07-18
Reference
FOI/202200308037
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Independence in the Modern World costs: FOI release

1. How much did the independence in the modern world papers cost? 2. Breakdown of these costs? 3. How many civil servants worked on it and what is their salary?

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-07-18
Reference
FOI/202200305738
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the "Independence in the Modern World: Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland?" document: FOI release

The cost of producing the following document: “Independence in the Modern World: Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland?”. Please can you provide me with the total cost of producing this document. Please provide a breakdown and include the following information The number of FTE staff working on the report The c...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-07-18
Reference
FOI/202200305663
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Independence in the Modern World white paper: FOI release

Independence in the Modern World White paper I note the above White Paper has this week been published. Earlier this year, I recall reading that a team of 11 civil servants were working on the independence blueprint. I presume this document is the first result of their work. Can you tell me please (a) the current size ...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-07-18
Reference
FOI/202200306420
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Resources used to validate potential referendum bill: FOI release

What resources within the government have been used to validate any potential referendum bill?

FOI unclear 50 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2022-05-19
Reference
FOI/202200292265
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Scottish Budget

FOI numbers regarding Education and Skills between 1 January to 28 February 2022: FOI release

The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Education and Skills from 1 to 31 January 2022. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Education and Skills from 1 to 28 February 2022. The number of those FOIs cleared by Shirley-Anne Somerville before release/publication. By ...

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2022-05-05
Reference
FOI/202200286790
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Education, Public sector

Independence referendum Section 30 order: FOI release

Since the independence referendum in 2014, the dates that the Scottish Government has formally requested a Section 30 order to allow them the power to hold an independence referendum on the subject of Scotland becoming an independent country.

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30
Published
2022-03-23
Reference
FOI/202200280916
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet meeting attendance statistics: FOI release

1. The number of Cabinet meetings attended by Patrick Harvie since his appointment as a Minister of the Scottish Government. Please provide the dates and reasons for his attendance. 2. The number of Cabinet meetings attended by Lorna Slater since her appointment as a Minister of the Scottish Government. Please provide ...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2022-03-01
Reference
FOI/202200276397
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparatory work on referendum on Scottish independence: FOI release

During a television interview yesterday, the First Minister said (of a referendum on Scottish independence) “The preparatory work for that is underway right now. We haven’t decided on the date that we would seek to introduce the Bill. We’ll decide that in the coming weeks." "But my intention is to take the steps that w...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-02-24
Reference
FOI/202200275025
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Freedom of Information (FOI) request numbers related to smoking: FOI release

"To ask the Ministers how many FOI requested information in the past four years contained the wording: 'smokefree site littered with cigarette butts' 'smoking biggest preventable cause of death' ".

FOI unclear 50 score 14 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2022-02-23
Reference
FOI/202200276243
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Longest response times for a FOI request in 2021: FOI release

1. During the calendar year of 2021, the ten longest wait times for a response to an FOI request received by the Scottish Government, including the specific topic and scope of each request.

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence s.15 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-04
Reference
FOI/202200269966
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Longest response time for a FOI request and review in 2021: FOI release

1. During the calendar year of 2021, the longest wait time for a response to an FOI request, including the request, response, and any appeal request or response 2. During the calendar year of 2021, the longest wait time for a response to an FOI review request, including the request, response, and any appeal request or ...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence briefings
Published
2022-02-04
Reference
FOI/202200269985
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Comparison of civil servants working on referendums and Gender Recognition: FOI release

Can you please tell me how many civil servants are currently working on a Scottish Independence Referendum Bill compared to the reformation of the Gender Recognition Act?

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings
Published
2022-02-03
Reference
FOI/202200269222
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparation of detailed prospectus for independence: FOI release

In September, the First Minister said that civil servants were being tasked to prepare a detailed prospectus for independence. I would like to request under FOI some details about this work: Who is leading this work? What is their job title and civil service grade? How many civil servants are working on this project a...

FOI unclear 55 score 5 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-01-12
Reference
FOI/202100261720
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Programme for Government, Public sector

Preparations made for an independent Scotland: FOI release

I would like to know what preparations have been for a post independent Scotland since the referendum in 2014. What work has been done on, Currency and Banking system Pensions Defence Foreign policy Trade relations Passports and Border Control, and where can I read about this?

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)
Published
2021-12-15
Reference
FOI/202100251793
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence between Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and British and Irish Council: FOI release

How many meetings (virtual or in person) has Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, had with representatives of and/or the leadership of the British and Irish Council since he was appointed in May 2021 – to date? How much correspondence (letters, emails, texts, calls or o...

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-03
Reference
FOI/202100236983
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Details regarding white paper on future independence referendum: FOI release

Has a budget been allocated for the preparation of a white paper on a future Independence Referendum and cost of a referendum? What are the estimated costs of bringing such a referendum to a conclusion? How many civil servants will be allocated to this task?

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-10-21
Reference
FOI/202100237749
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Briefing materials on independence referendum prospectus: FOI release

"On 7 September 2021, the First Minister told the Scottish Parliament: ‘It also reaffirms the Scottish Government’s commitment to an independence referendum… I can confirm that the Scottish Government will now restart work on the detailed prospectus that will guide the decision.’ Could you please provide copies of any ...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings 2 attachments
Published
2021-10-20
Reference
FOI/202100237662
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet meetings attended by Patrick Harvie MSP or Lorna Slater MSP: FOI release

1. The number of Cabinet meetings held since 28 August 2021; 2. The number of Cabinet meetings attended by either Patrick Harvie or Lorna Slater; 3. The purpose for which they attended; and 4. The number of Cabinet meetings since 28 August attended by other junior Ministers. Please specify which Minister attended on wh...

FOI unclear 50 score 1 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2021-10-14
Reference
FOI/202100242821
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Various questions relating to Scottish Government working groups: FOI release

For each of the groups listed on the Scottish Government's website here: https://www.gov.scot/groups/, I would like the following information: 1. Whether the group is still active. 1a. The date of establishment. 1b. If no longer active, the date of dissolution. 2. The date of the most recent meeting of the group. 3. Th...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings 2 attachments
Published
2021-10-11
Reference
FOI/202100231518
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Current Ministerial responsibility: FOI release

1. Can you tell me if the two newly appointed Green ministers are responsible to a Cabinet Secretary or, if not, what other arrangements have been made for their accountability to the Government as a whole? 2. Are specific directorates intended to report to them, or, if not, how else are they to make and implement deci...

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2021-10-06
Reference
FOI/202100237443
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Details of Cabinet meetings: FOI release

1. How often does the Cabinet meet and for how long? 2. Is an agenda always circulated in advance and is that publicly available? 3. Is a minute always taken and, if so, is that publicly available? 4. What Committees have been established and what information about them is publicly available? 5. Which Ministers, Commit...

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2021-09-27
Reference
FOI/202100232471
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government Special Advisors: FOI review

Please can you provide a list of the Scottish Government's current special advisers.

FOI unclear 55 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers s.27(1)
Published
2021-07-21
Reference
FOI/202100216734 review of 202100210390
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Minutes of meetings with other parties following 2021 Scottish Parliament election: FOI release

1) Minutes of meetings between Scottish Government officials (including the First Minister) and Scottish Greens co-leaders Patrick Harvie and/or Lorna Slater following the 2021 election. 2) Minutes of a meeting between the First Minister and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar following the 2021 election.

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-28
Reference
FOI/202100207108
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Request made regarding environmental information: FOI release

How many requests you received that related to:- Environment Building standards Drains Smokefree sites In the past 3 years- from anyone ie any requester.

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 12 working days correspondence s.20
Published
2021-06-15
Reference
FOI/202100206694
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector