Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

5,100releases indexed
7,880attachments found
25.5avg calendar days
2,063partially withheld
2025-01-20oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 2,063 unclear 1,290 not held 828 released 339 already published 242 cost limit 170 clarification 87 withheld 62 transferred 19

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 1471 s.34(1) 1108 s.20 1050 s.30 886 s.39(2) 882 s.17(1) 766 s.25(1) 651 s.10(4) 547 s.11(2) 450 s.29(1) 364 s.2 349 s.3 262

Timeline

2026-05 339 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263 2025-10 217

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 365 releases · 25.8 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 308 releases · 28.3 avg days Marine Directorate 194 releases · 26.7 avg days People Directorate 192 releases · 23.4 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 176 releases · 26.8 avg days Culture and External Affairs Directorate 173 releases · 27.7 avg days Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate 171 releases · 31.7 avg days Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate 157 releases · 23.9 avg days
Clear
173 matching releases

Records from engagements of Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture: FOI release

Records from below engagements of Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture:- 1. 01/08/2025 Formal Opening/Launch Fran Hegyi OBE, Executive Director, Edinburgh International Festival; Nicola Benedetti, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival; James Graham, Writer, ‘Make it Happen’ Ed...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500496309
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Path to Balance correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence between Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison and her office, and Cabinet Secretary Angus and his office that mentions Path To Balance or is related to Path To Balance. All correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary and the Director General for culture that mentions Path To Balance.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500494283
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Employee information for the Scottish Government office in China: FOI release

How many staff are employed by the Scottish Government in China? A list of their salary brackets and how many are employed in each one? Where are they based? What nationality are they? What level of UK Government security clearance do they have? (Please break this down by role if needed) Please detail what, if any...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.31(1) s.39(1)
Published
2026-02-11
Reference
FOI/202500493946
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture correspondence regarding Historic Environment Scotland: FOI release

All correspondence between Angus Robertson, and his advisors, over Historic Environment Scotland from 1 October 2025 to date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-11
Reference
FOI/202500493616
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

First Minister’s meeting with the President of Ireland documentation: FOI release

You asked for the following information: Any notes, minutes, or documents produced for or following the First Minister’s meeting with the President of Ireland, Taoiseach of Ireland, Mary Lou McDonald, and/or Neale Richmond. Whether the First Minister discussed Scottish independence in any of his meetings with the Pres...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-11
Reference
FOI/202500495859
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs & Culture meeting with former chair of Historic Environment Scotland (HES): FOI release

You asked for “Did Kenneth Hogg pass on this invitation to Angus Robertson? If so, on what date was it passed on? And how was it passed on? Please also provide all correspondence, by email or direct messaging application, in which the above referenced email was forwarded, quoted, or responded to, by Scottish Governmen...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(2) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-10
Reference
FOI/202500492731
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

COP30 attendees and costs: FOI release

You asked for ‘the number, including names, of all politicians and civil servants from the Scottish Government who attended COP30 and the cost to the tax payer for them to attend.’

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.27(1) s.38(1)
Published
2026-02-10
Reference
FOI/202500492799
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Correspondence between former Chair of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Scottish Government Ministers: FOI release

You asked for “all correspondence between the former Chair of Historic Environment Scotland, Hugh Hall, and respective Scottish Government Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries covering the culture portfolio (for the period December 2021 to September 2025), namely: Jenny Gilruth Neil Gray Christina McKelvie Kaukab Stewart...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-10
Reference
FOI/202500493054
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Scottish Government meeting with Historic Environment Scotland: FOI release

1. The date of the last meeting a member of the Scottish Government had with Historic Environment Scotland. 2. Any minutes prepared relating to that meeting mentioned in (1).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-09
Reference
FOI/202500491550
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Documentation held by the Scottish Governments regarding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA): FOI release

2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, and analysis, about Iran, between June 15 2025 and September 15 2025? 3. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, in...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.28(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-09
Reference
FOI/202500491175
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Details of the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy's trip to COP30: FOI release

1. Total Cost: The final total expenditure for the Cabinet Secretary’s trip to COP30. 2. Itemised Breakdown: A breakdown of these costs into the following categories: (a) Travel (including flights, internal transfers, and any carbon offsetting costs); (b) Accommodation; (c) Subsistence; (d) Any other associated costs...

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending
Published
2026-02-04
Reference
FOI/202500498535
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, International, Public sector

First Minister's trip to Malawi and Zambia: FOI release

1. Could you supply the full expenses from John Swinney's trip to Malawi and Zambia in October, including how many officials accompanied him, and their full expenses, including flight costs, accommodation and other expenses? 2. Could you supply all briefings and minutes/notes from meetings John Swinney held in Malawi a...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.17(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-04
Reference
FOI/202500491454
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Details of the First Minister's meeting with the US Ambassador: 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, about John Swinney's meeting with the US Ambassador on November 1? How much did the trip cost the Scottish Government, with a breakdo...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12
Published
2026-02-04
Reference
FOI/202500492045
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Production company funding and BBC Scotland documentation: FOI release

1. Any government funding agreements, payments, or sponsorships given to TV and movie production companies in the last five years, and a breakdown per year and per payment, I.e what was it for? 2. All documentation held, including correspondence sent and received, minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, between Angus ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending s.33(1) s.39(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-03
Reference
FOI/202500491142
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Documentation regarding the First Minister's trip to London for the state visit of the President of the USA: FOI release

"Any documents that relate to John Swinney's visit to London for the state visit of Donald Trump in September. This could include minutes of any meetings held with anyone during this visit, be it Mr Trump, the Prime Minister or the King, or anyone else Mr Swinney met with. Can any documents that refer to this visit sen...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.27(1) s.39(1) s.38(1) s.25(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-28
Reference
FOI/202500489628
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, International, Public sector

Deputy First Minister’s trip to Canada: FOI release

The total cost of the Deputy First Minister’s October 2025 trip to Canada broken down by category of expense – for example, flights, accommodation, and food. A list of the number of people accompanying the Deputy First Minister on the trip, and their titles. A list of people or organisations the Deputy First Minister...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.38(1)
Published
2026-01-28
Reference
FOI-202500489711
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, International, Public sector

Briefings and correspondence for the First Minister's visit to Zambia and Malawi: FOI release

1. Any briefings provided to the First Minister ahead of the visit. 2. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the First Minister and Zambian Government Officials regarding the visit. Information should include but n...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.29(1) s.38(1) s.29 s.30 s.32 s.39 s.41 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-27
Reference
FOI/202500490069
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

First Minister's visit to Malawi and Zambia information: FOI release

Information in relation to the First Minister's recent visit to Malawi and Zambia, specifically: A clarification on how this visit adheres to the Scottish Ministerial Code A breakdown of costs of this visit Rationale for undertaking this visit

FOI clarification 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2026-01-26
Reference
FOI/202500489496
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Briefing pack for the meeting between the Deputy First Minister and Tánaiste of Ireland at the British-Irish Association Conference at Oxford: FOI release

The briefing pack and minutes from Kate Forbes' meeting with Simon Harris (Tánaiste of Ireland) at the British-Irish Association Conference at Oxford on 5 September 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-21
Reference
FOI/202500484997
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, International, Public sector

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora meeting documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence and received (including internal), minutes/notes from the meeting, briefings and analysis about Angus Robertson's meeting with Minister for Diaspora Neale Richmond on June 16/17, between June 1 2025 and August 1 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.32(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488096
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Kings Theatre refurbishment: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis. about the Kings Theatre in Edinburgh's refurbishment, from the last three months?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.33(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488093
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Documentation relating to the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase annual culture budgets: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase culture budgets by £100 million annually by 2028-29, from the last three months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-19
Reference
FOI/202500488090
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector