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
702 matching releases

Four nation discussions of COVID-19 and alignment of restrictions: FOI release

1. Minutes from any formal four nations discussions with Michael Gove and other representatives from UK, Welsh Governments and Northern Ireland executive between October 1 and January 15 on the topic of Covid-19 and four nations alignment on restrictions/measures. 2. Notes taken by Scottish Government staff or ministe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.3 s.28(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/20210014372
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Communications concerning Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill and changes to Freedom of Information rules: FOI release

All communication between ministers, officials and press officers regarding the proposed changes to Freedom of Information rules.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 238 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/202000025358
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Extending response times to freedom of information requests: FOI review

Supply all correspondence/emails (including attachments) - to or from government ministers, special advisers or senior civil servants - dated on or prior to 2 April 2020 relating to the proposal to extend response times to freedom of information requests set out in Schedule 6 Part 2 of the [Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill....

FOI partially withheld 90 score 153 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.21(4) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/202000068453
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Extension of Freedom of Information requests response times: FOI review

"All internal communications regarding the handling of a FOI request, case reference 202000068453, "Extension of FOI response times""

FOI partially withheld 90 score 75 working days over deadline correspondence s.21(4) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/202000108300
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs referendum correspondence: FOI release

From 1 October 2020 to present: Copies of all emails to and from Michael Russell with the word ‘referendum’ in them (including in the email body, as an attachment, in the subject line and/or otherwise).

FOI already published 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-03
Reference
FOI/202000118630
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government preparations for a pandemic: FOI release

For the period 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2019, provide and publish the following information: 1) Did the Scottish Government or any of its agencies, undertake the preparation of a plan, procedure, or protocol, to cover the event of Scotland being enveloped by an epidemic, or pandemic. If so what provisions did...

FOI cost limit 70 score 156 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.12 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-23
Reference
FOI/202000049548 review of 202000037201
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

FOI statistics and overdue responses: FOI release

Can you please provide all reports (or lists) provided by the government's central FOI unit to government ministers in the period from 1 September 2020 to date that (a) contain a list of overdue FOI requests (b) shows FOI response performance. Please provide all correspondence that was sent to Ministers along with the ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000099262
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the Referendum Scotland Bill: FOI review

Copies of all emails that include the phrase ‘Referendums Scotland Bill Team’ (including in the message, email signature or an attachment).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence s.25 s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000129218 review of 202000106129
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the draft bill for an independence referendum: FOI release

Copies of all correspondence (emails, letters, hand-written notes, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls, briefings and/or otherwise) between civil servants, Special Advisors and/or the Cabinet Secretary Mike Russell regarding the publishing of the draft bill for an independence referendum outlined in the Scottish Gove...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000122177
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Programme for Government, Public sector

Scottish Parliament election contingency plan: FOI release

1. Any reports, documents or email correspondence from between 1 August and present day [13 October] between Scottish Government civil servants on the topic of the Scottish Parliament election in 2021 and contingency plans surrounding it. 2. During the same time period, any briefing reports, draft reports, emails, What...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.25 s.27 s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-02-18
Reference
FOI/202000097860
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Briefings regarding Referendums Bill set out in 2020-21 Programme for Government: FOI release

From 1 August 2020 to present: Copies of all briefings prepared by civil servants regarding the Referendums Bill that was set out in the 2020-21 Programme for Government that will be introduced to Parliament by the end of this parliamentary term.

FOI unclear 75 score 15 working days correspondence briefings 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-18
Reference
FOI/202100136031
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Information relating to Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland: FOI release

1. For the costs paid to date by the Scottish Government to set up and run the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland to date. 2. For the number of civil servants working or seconded to work on the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland. 3. For correspondence between Scottish Government ministers and the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending 16 attachments
Published
2021-02-16
Reference
FOI/202000097624
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

James Hamilton QC investigation remit correspondence: FOI release

- All communication between John Swinney and James Hamilton QC in relation to the inquiry into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code. -All communication between the Scottish Government and James Hamilton QC in relation to the inquiry into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-16
Reference
FOI/202100139181
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

James Hamilton QC investigation evidence submitted: FOI release

- All evidence submitted to James Hamilton QC as part of his investigation into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code. - Details of all meetings held by James Hamilton QC as part of his investigation into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code. Please include minutes, call logs, list of a...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-16
Reference
FOI/202100139187
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government stance on independence referendum: FOI release

Have Scottish Government employees started work on a White Paper on independence, or an equivalent document to the 2013 document, Scotland’s Future? When did this work start? How many officials have been working on this? What is the cost in terms of employee time, etc, of the preparation of that document? Have the reco...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-10
Reference
FOI/202000117911
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Expenditure of independence referendum: FOI release

Since the SNP administration took office in 2007, how much of taxpayers money has been spent on the SNP’s independence project.

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1)
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000117524
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding timing of publishing referendums bill: FOI release

From 1 September 2020 to present: Copies of correspondence (emails, texts, minutes of calls, memos, minutes of meetings and/or otherwise) between civil servants and/or Special Advisors and/or Scottish Government Cabinet members on the timing of publishing the referendums bill.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence meetings s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000096516
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Human beings as patented GMOs: FOI release

How is it recorded on Scottish Government systems that a Human Being cannot be patented as a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) and that this is enshrined in Scots Law? As with the earlier Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 request (now at the Internal Review stage) on the Nuremberg Code, if the Scottish Gove...

FOI not held 45 score 9 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-05
Reference
202000120465
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public Sector

James Hamilton investigation remit: FOI release

Does the remit of the Investigation being conducted by James Hamilton officially include whether there has been ANY breach of ANY part of the Ministerial Code by the First Minister - including section 1.3(c) - or is his brief restricted to the narrower aspects of the Code specified in the remit published by the Scottis...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.1
Published
2021-02-04
Reference
FOI/202000108998
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

The Scottish Government average response time to Freedom of Information requests: FOI release

Broken down per month for the past 3 years: The average time for the Scottish Government to respond to a freedom of information request. (This is the period of time from when the request was received until the response was issued from the Scottish Government)

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.20 s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-02
Reference
FOI/202000111670
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Longest response time to a Freedom of Information request: FOI release

Broken down by year for the past 10 years (I am happy to receive the information either by financial or calendar year): The single longest wait for a Scottish Government response to a freedom of information request. (This is the period of time from when the request was received until the response was issued from the Sc...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.20 s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-02
Reference
FOI/202000111675
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet on the Referendums Bill and Programme for Government 2020: FOI release

From 27 July 2020 to present (2 September 2020 - the date of requests): Copies of any correspondence (emails, hand-written notes, briefing, Whatsapp messages, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls and/or otherwise) between civil servants, special advisors and/or any member of the Scottish Government cabinet on the refe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 63 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-01-20
Reference
FOI/202000083702
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Programme for Government, Public sector

Correspondence types and case compliance in financial year ending March 2020: FOI release

How many correspondence cases did Scottish Government receive in the financial year ending March 2020 split across the various types (complaints, FOI, DPR, etc.)? Please also include any stats on compliance regarding timely responses where relevant. What volume of cases received from April - Sept 2020 were COVID19 spec...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.81 s.76 s.20 s.10 s.25(1) s.12
Published
2021-01-20
Reference
FOI/202000106664
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

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