Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,792releases indexed
39,278attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,073partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,073 unclear 7,195 not held 3,052 released 1,533 already published 668 cost limit 605 clarification 348 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4905 s.20 4252 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3455 s.30 2866 s.17(1) 2763 s.25(1) 2372 s.10(4) 1971 s.11(2) 1559 s.29(1) 1168 s.2 1152 s.3 903

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 1,275 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 961 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 919 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 859 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 725 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 631 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
552 matching releases

C&C Group objections to Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

The date when the Scottish Government received the letter from C&C Group (as reported in the media on 31 May 2023) that outlined the group’s objections to the Deposit Return Scheme. The name of the person and/or job title who first released the content of the letter to any media outlet or otherwise put it into public d...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.10(4) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-05
Reference
202300360130
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meetings and minutes for DRS System-Wide Assurance Group: EIR release

A breakdown of meetings held by the DRS System-Wide Assurance Group since it formed and who was in attendance at each meeting. A copy of the minutes of each of those meetings (the DRS System-Wide Assurance Group). As the information you have requested is ‘environmental information’ for the purposes of the Environmenta...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.20 s.39(2) 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-05
Reference
202300355505
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Average stock numbers of cattle and sheep for 2018, 2019 and 2022: EIR release

You asked for “Average stock numbers of cattle and sheep for 2018, 2019 and 2022 broken down by local rural payments office”. As the information you have requested is 'environmental information' for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are required to deal with your requ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2023-10-04
Reference
202300360540
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff working on the Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

“How many civil servant staff are currently employed in the Deposit Return Scheme development Directorate?” “The breakdown of those staff by grade, numbers at each grade and what each of those grades costs the Scottish Government?” “How many professional advisers are currently employed in the Scottish Government?” “The...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers spending s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1)
Published
2023-10-03
Reference
202300359680
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic

Disposable vapes as an environmental as well as public health threat: EIR release

You asked for: Do the Scottish government recognise disposable vapes as an environmental as well as public health threat? Does the Scottish Government have/propose policy to mitigate the environmental threat of disposable vapes? Eg, nationwide recycling schemes, disposable vape amnesty boxes? Is this responsibility p...

FOI/EIR transferred 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)
Published
2023-09-28
Reference
202300343640
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with Zero Waste Scotland: FOI release

I would like to request a copy of correspondence and documents, covering the past six month, shared between the Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland regarding the transition of the latter to a public organisation.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-09-21
Reference
FOI/202300366585
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Correspondence with Circularity Scotland Ltd from April 2023: EIR release

Under Freedom of Information legislation I would be grateful to receive a copy of all correspondence between Circularity Scotland Ltd and the Scottish Government between 1st April 2023 and the present day.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-09-21
Reference
FOI/202300367423
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and UK Government: EIR release

“A copy of any correspondence between the Scottish Government and UK Government about the deposit return scheme between 1 Jan 2021 and December 31 2021.” As the information you have requested is ‘environmental information’ for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are req...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) 4 attachments
Published
2023-09-08
Reference
202300363328
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

RESAS research on Isle of Rum: FOI release

You asked for RESAS' upcoming research on the Isle of Rum. Specifically, you have asked the following questions: Can the RESAS provide the methodology for this type of Delphi Study and state the minimum sample size for this methodology. Has the RESAS conducted any research elsewhere using the Delphi method and please ...

FOI not held 45 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.1 s.34(5)
Published
2023-08-29
Reference
202300368651
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and Circularity Scotland from March 2021: EIR release

Please provide all correspondence between the Circular Economy Minister and her special advisers/private office and the chief executive and chairman of Circularity Scotland from March 2021 to today’s date. Please also provide any briefing notes provided to the Circular Economy Minister for meetings with the chairman or...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 66 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-08-25
Reference
FOI/202300347257
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Economy, Environment and climate change, +1 more … Public sector

Information pertaining to agriculture developments: EIR release

1. What progress has been made on developing a land reform bill? 2. What is the total Nature Restoration fund? 3. Has an Peatland restoration programme been established? 4. What work has been done to stimulate responsible private investment in the restoration of nature and enhancement of Scotland’s natural capital? 5. ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 17 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.5
Published
2023-08-21
Reference
FOI/202300367465
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Farming and rural, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) - Risk Registers: EIR release

Any risk register that the Scottish Government has produced relating to its Deposit Return Scheme. If such a register is held, please provide each register as it stood on the following dates.: 14 May 2020, 1 December 2021, 1 January 2022, 1 June 2022, 1 February 2023, 1 March 2023, 1 April 2023, 1 May 2023 and the pres...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) 4 attachments
Published
2023-08-02
Reference
FOI/202300360738
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity visit to Isle of Rum: FOI Release

Briefing notes supplied to Lorna Slater, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, for her recent trip to the Isle of Rum in May 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 6 working days correspondence ministers briefings contracts s.38(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-08-02
Reference
FOI/202300360940
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

RESAS funding settlement 2023/24: EIR release

Correspondence between RESAS and senior officers of the James Hutton Institute, BioSS and Centres of Expertise, regarding cuts to 2023/24 funding (including the Strategic Research Programme, Underpinning Capacity and Centres of Expertise), from 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2023.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-08-01
Reference
FOI/202300364133
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with UK Government relating to the Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

Can you please provide all correspondence between the First Minister Humza Yousaf and Lorna Slater that relates to the deposit return scheme since March 28 this year. Can you also provide all correspondence between Mr Yousaf and the Westminster Government over the scheme since March 28. Can you also provide all corresp...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-07-17
Reference
FOI/202300362222
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

“Which Scottish Government departments have been involved in the creation of the policy for the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme What are the total legal costs associated with the DRS, accumulated since 2018? Please provide any background notes, email exchanges, and internal communication between the First Minister and t...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 7 working days correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2023-07-04
Reference
FOI/202300357986
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme - Meeting with Industry of 7 June 2023: EIR release

“I am looking to request details, under the Freedom of Information Act, of the meeting which took place on Wednesday, June 7 between Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater, First Minister Humza Yousaf and representatives of Scottish industry, as referred to in a press release issued today: The First Minister and Circul...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-06-29
Reference
FOI/202300360585
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Internal Market Act correspondence: EIR release

“Under Freedom of Information legislation I would be grateful for a copy of all correspondence received by the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity from her officials on the process and application for an Internal Market Act exemption between January 2023 and the present day.”

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-06-22
Reference
FOI/202300358557
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Total amount spent so far on the Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland: EIR release

The approximate total amount spent so far on the DRS in Scotland by the Scottish Government.

FOI/EIR unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2023-05-22
Reference
FOI/202300352678
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Scotland's Snowsports report by EKOS Ltd 2022: FOI release

Information on the report into Scottish snowsports as listed below: Confirm that there was an initial draft of the report, Confirm that the initial draft was circulated to all the ski resorts, businesses etc who supplied information on which the report was based, and, Supply a copy of the first draft. You also reques...

FOI unclear 75 score 11 working days correspondence contracts 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-17
Reference
FOI/202300351954
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme applications and exemptions: EIR release

The number of requests for exemption from the requirement to operate a retail return point under the Deposit Return Scheme for each month since the 1st October 2022. The number of applications per month (i) where a proximity exemption was granted, and (ii) where an environmental health exemption was granted, since 1st ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-16
Reference
FOI/202300349939
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme working groups: EIR release

Is it possible to see all the documentation regarding working groups that is listed on Zero Waste Scotland's website, it shows the retail working groups but not the others. Working groups looked at the following topics: Formation of a Scheme administrator Finance Procurement Producer obligations Retailer obligations ...

FOI/EIR unclear 75 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence contracts 6 attachments
Published
2023-05-15
Reference
FOI/202300348878
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme - Correspondence with Coca Cola: EIR release

Any communications involving the Scottish Government and The Coca Cola Company relating to the so-called bottle deposit return scheme.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence s.20 s.39(2) 6 attachments
Published
2023-05-10
Reference
FOI/202300345717
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector