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
7,405 matching releases

Energy bills statement calculation and justification: FOI release

The full calculations and justification for the following statement made by Mr. Swinney during FMQs: “There will, of course, be consequences for the public. Their energy bills will not be cut by the £300 that was proposed by the Labour Party. Energy bills will still be, on average, £340 a year higher than the Prime Mi...

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2026-02-23
Reference
FOI/202500495894
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

Community Payback Orders (CPO) – Unpaid work statistics: FOI release

You asked if there are more up to date figures than those published in the report Community Payback Orders – Unpaid Work or Other Activity Requirements – February 2025 - gov.scot.

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence
Published
2026-02-23
Reference
FOI/202500496757
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Law and order, Public sector

Policy on Deletion of Messages on Apps during Covid-19: FOI release

1. Provide full and transparent details on 'the government policy used to permit the deliberate deletion of public data, and evidence, from Whatsapp during COVID" expressed by Anas Sarwar during First Ministers Questions - 20th November 2025 in Hollyrood. First Minister John Swinney's response was, and I quote: "...To...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts whatsapp s.2 s.17(1)
Published
2026-02-23
Reference
FOI/202500495382
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government’s engagements with NHS Boards in relation to winter preparedness planning: FOI release

In light of the publishing of the Scottish Government’s surge and winter preparedness in health and social care services national planning priorities and principles, whether the Scottish Government has received a finalised document from health boards outlining their operational surge and winter preparedness plans for 2...

FOI unclear 55 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence briefings s.1 s.2 s.3
Published
2026-02-23
Reference
FOI/202500495527
Directorate
Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Exceptional Circumstances guidance issued to Scottish Local Authorities: FOI release

1. Whether the Scottish Government provided guidance and/or advice to Scottish Local Authorities as to the definition of "Exceptional Circumstances" (reference SSI 2021 No. 289 Clause 5B) and/or under what circumstances Exceptional Circumstances should be considered by Scottish Local Authorities. 2. Copies of any/all ...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2 s.5B s.19 s.3 s.20 s.72 s.4A s.6
Published
2026-02-23
Reference
FOI/202500496382
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Costs incurred from the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme: FOI release

The total cost taken up by government, regarding the number of young people who have been issued with free travel passes for public transport, August 2023, September 2023, October 2023, November 2023 and total cost in years prior to dates above: 2022 2021 2020 2019

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence spending
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500497360
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Scottish Government spend on funding support and counselling: FOI release

From FOI 202500490388: Email from [Redacted S.38(1)(b)] MIWFM - Head of Facilities Services (Sent: 21 August 2025 09:05) "The personal toll on individuals has been significant, with SG now funding support and counselling to help mitigate the impact of this workload and the wider targeted commentary." Under The Freed...

FOI unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence spending s.38(1)
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500496138
Directorate
Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Data for children attending school from Mull: FOI release

1. The number of days lost due to ferry or weather issues. 2. The impact of lost school days on the learning and the educational outcomes of these students. 3. The frequency with which Google Classroom (or indeed parental/carer support) is relied upon if students are unable to attend school for the reasons highlighte...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence s.2 s.3 s.5 s.17(1) s.25(1)
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500495326
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

“Flexible” four day teaching week correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence between Jenny Gilruth and her advisors regarding the plans to introduce a “flexible” four day teaching week that were announced on 20 November 2025.

FOI unclear 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500494680
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Civil Contingencies in Scotland information: FOI release

1. Please identify and outline what measures the Scottish Government (SG) (and their Officials) take to assure that those Cat 1 and Cat 2 organisations in Scotland (which SG are responsible for) meet the legislative requirements of the Act and its Regulations. 2. Please also identify when the last Audit was undertaken...

FOI unclear 55 score 7 working days correspondence s.2 s.25(1)
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500497541
Directorate
Strategy Directorate
Topic
Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Four-day teaching week or compressed school week briefing materials: FOI release

All any briefing notes, submissions, presentations, ministerial updates, or internal papers produced since 1 January 2022 which relate to a four-day teaching week or compressed school week.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500494933
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Nutrition Scotland funding information: FOI release

According to its website Nutrition Scotland receives funding from the Scottish Government: https://www.nutritionscotland.org/about/partners-funders-projects/#Funders For each of the years 2023/24 and 2024/25: 1. How much funding was given to Nutrition Scotland? 2. What was the funding used for?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500494873
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Accountant in Bankruptcy's Vulnerable Person’s Policy information: FOI release

1. The AiB’s Vulnerable Person’s Policy - as applicable at any time since October 2017 & all relevant instructions and guidance as to how the said Vulnerable Person Polic(ies) are required to be interpreted and acted upon by: AiB staff. subcontractor agents. 2. Confirmation as to whether (or not) such compliance is a...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence contracts s.2 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500494825
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

First Minister's taxation claim evidence and correspondence: FOI release

1. What evidence the Scottish Government has to substantiate the claim made by the First Minister on 13 November 2025 that: ‘we’ve maintained our manifesto commitments in relation to taxation’. 2. All correspondence between the First Minister, Senior Civil Servants and Special Advisers regarding this claim since 13 No...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.17(1)
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500494899
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Mental health lived experience queries: FOI release

1. Does the Scottish Government agree that people should be free to share their psychiatric lived experiences, both to help the individual and the wellbeing of others? Examples that support such a belief would be the Scottish Government funding of See Me, and Mind to Mind, on NHS Inform, which I understand is fully fun...

FOI unclear 75 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500493659
Directorate
Mental Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Cost for attendance at the Westminster Budget announcement: FOI release

The total cost of all who were in London for the announcement of the 2025 Westminster Budget, relating only to the cost of attending including travel.

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence spending
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500495641
Directorate
Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Number of staff in the Desk Kit Help Desk Team: FOI release

How many STAFF {including GRADE} are in the SCOTISH GOVERNMENT DESK KIT HELP DESK team.

FOI unclear 50 score 2 working days correspondence contracts
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500495969
Directorate
Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Annual spend on consultants by Social Security Scotland: FOI release

Request for information 1: The total annual spend on consultants by Social Security Scotland in each of the last five financial years (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25). Request for information 2: A breakdown of this spending by contract or project, if possible: 1. Supplier name 2. Purpose of the work 3....

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500495803
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Road traffic fatality statistics and 20mph speed limit costs: EIR release

1. Please could you advise on the total cost of administration/implementing signs etc for the new 20 mph speed limits in towns/villages throughout Scotland in 2025? 2. Please could you advise on pedestrian fatalities from vehicles within towns/villages in the last 5 years? 3. Please could you advise on driver fatalit...

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.2 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-17
Reference
EIR/202500494269
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Minutes from maternity & neonatal taskforce meetings: FOI release

You asked for “the minutes of the Maternity & Neonatal taskforce meetings."

FOI unclear 55 score 5 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1)
Published
2026-02-17
Reference
FOI/202500497734
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and a former Optometry Advisor to the Scottish Government: FOI Release

Detail regarding a meeting held with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray, on 4 November 2025. On 4 November 2025, a meeting was held between the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, and Donald Cameron (previously optometry advisor to the Scottish Government). Could you please describe:...

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2026-02-17
Reference
FOI/202500497125
Directorate
Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

The Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) procedures relating to interim legal fees: FOI release

What policy and procedures does the AiB require to be followed when imposing interim legal expenses incurred in a Sheriff Court action (brought by the AiB as Applicant/Pursuer) where the AiB’s expressly craves that upon completion of the proceedings (whether for or against the AiB) the court should only then grant auth...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.50(1) s.12 s.4 s.20
Published
2026-02-17
Reference
FOI/202500494917
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government 'A Fresh Start with Independence' and “Your Right to Decide” online access statistics: FOI release

1. The number of views on the Scottish Government website of the online paper, A Fresh Start with Independence, by country. For example, X many viewed it while being located in the United Kingdom, Y many viewed it while being located in France, etc. 2. The number of views on the Scottish Government website of the onli...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence
Published
2026-02-17
Reference
FOI/202500494528
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Internal guidance that concern dismissal of Civil Service staff: FOI release

Please provide any internal guidance, policy documents, circulars, or advice notes currently in use (or used in the past five years) that concern dismissal of Civil Service staff, including but not limited to: Procedures or internal advice on dismissal for misconduct, performance, or redundancy; Any internal guidance ...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-17
Reference
FOI/202500490959
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills