Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,864releases indexed
39,478attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,113partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-06-12newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,113 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4931 s.20 4280 s.34(1) 3589 s.39(2) 3481 s.30 2878 s.17(1) 2774 s.25(1) 2381 s.10(4) 1987 s.11(2) 1571 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1158 s.3 908

Timeline

2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,279 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 967 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 923 releases · 31.0 avg days Learning Directorate 861 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 729 releases · 39.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 633 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
7,200 matching releases

Briefings issued to First Minister regarding allegations against Former First Minister: FOI release

“Any briefings issued to the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, on the subject of (either in total or in part) allegations against former First Minister Alex Salmond. I would like this information from June 2019 to November 2019.”

FOI unclear 55 score 52 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1)
Published
2021-01-12
Reference
FOI/202000099778
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Allegations against Former First Minister briefings issued to First Minister: FOI release

“Any briefings issued to the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, on the subject of (either in total or in part) allegations against former First Minister Alex Salmond. I would like this information from March 2019 to June 2019.”

FOI unclear 55 score 53 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1)
Published
2021-01-12
Reference
FOI/202000099389
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government use of independent research agency: FOI release

"Who was the ‘independent research agency’ referred to and how much has the Scottish Government spent with this agency in this year."

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence
Published
2021-01-12
Reference
FOI/202000104615
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Expert advisory group on low level background sound in hospitality: FOI release

1. Costs on setting up the expert advisory group to complete the study on low level background music in hospitality. 2. Which background fields of expertise the advisory group was made up from. 3. What the total overall costs and time frame accrued to this project were, including set up, researching and its publicati...

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence meetings spending
Published
2021-01-11
Reference
FOI/202000124479
Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Questions concerning PCR testing in Scotland : FOI release

1. Who manufactures, and supplies the PCR Testing kits in use in Scotland? 2. What is their country of origin of the PCR tests? 3. What is the sensitivity (cycle threshold) of the PCR tests conducted in Scotland? 4. What analysis of the sensitivity (cycle threshold) has been undertaken to ensure that it is correct? 5. ...

FOI unclear 55 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence s.17 s.25(1)
Published
2021-01-11
Reference
FOI/202000106118
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland

The Scottish Government COVID-19 Advisory group names: FOI release

Can you supply me with the names of the Government scientists that are inform the public on Covid restrictions please.

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2021-01-11
Reference
FOI/202000124497
Directorate
Chief Medical Officer Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

COVID-19 vaccination for citizens under 16 years old: FOI release

Can you let me know if any arrangements are in place to roll out a Covid-19 / Flu vaccine program? Also, will there be parental consent before any such program?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2021-01-11
Reference
FOI/202000116494
Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, +1 more … Public sector

Questions concerning the Scottish Governments response to COVID-19: FOI release

1) Please provide all scientific information and evidence to justify the isolation and locking up of healthy people? 2) Please provide all scientific information and evidence for the imposed 2 meter distance rule? 3) We are leveling the curve, Technically on the second peak. Please provide all scientific information an...

FOI unclear 55 score 94 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2021-01-11
Reference
FOI/202000076599
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

First Minister daily media briefings' associated costs: FOI release

How much STV/BBC are being paid of Scottish tax payers money on daily briefings by the SNP.

FOI unclear 50 score 6 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending
Published
2021-01-11
Reference
FOI/202000125533
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

COVID1-19 Reported Deaths: FOI release

I note recently that the deaths from Covid-19 was 3,588 on the basis of the daily reporting figures. However, the National Records of Scotland reports 5,380 deaths for the same period. If the discrepancy was around 30 deaths, that would be understandable, but a difference of 1,792 requires explanation. Why does the Sco...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2021-01-11
Reference
FOI/202000119481
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Correspondence stating “legal advice” from First Minister’s office between specified dates: FOI release

Any mentions of “legal advice” in any correspondence (including emails, attachments, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) from the First Minister or members of her office. Please limit the time period to 22 August 2018 until 1 January 2019.

FOI unclear 55 score 38 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.17(1)
Published
2021-01-08
Reference
FOI/202000110871
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Questions concerning the NHS bonus scheme funding and UK funding: FOI release

Please provide me with the details of were the money came from to fund the £500 bonus recently announced by the Scottish Government. 1. Did it come via UK consequential's meant for business loans or grants ? 2. Did it Come from UK consequentials meant for NHS covid related requirements? 3. Can you pinpoint directly ...

FOI unclear 55 score 8 working days correspondence ministers spending s.5 s.25(1)
Published
2020-12-23
Reference
FOI/202000121248
Directorate
Financial Management Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy: FOI release

"The economic impact survey the First Minister made reference to in her Covid briefing yesterday 18/11/2020. She stated that “the impact to the economy of letting Covid run unchecked would be greater than the impact these lockdowns are having”. To make such a factual claim the First Minister must have done a full and d...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.25(1)
Published
2020-12-23
Reference
FOI/202000113608
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Economy, Public sector

COVID-19 restrictions related to congregational singing: FOI release

In relation to "Singing, chanting and the playing of instruments" it is stated that "Scientific studies indicate that it is the cumulative aerosol transmission from both those performing in and attending events that involve singing and the playing of wind and brass instruments, that is likely to create risk" Can you t...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.20
Published
2020-12-23
Reference
FOI/202000116835
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Law and order, +1 more … Public sector

Certification process of a persons death by a doctor: FOI release

You asked how the difference between influenza and Covid on a death certificate is arrived at by the certifying doctor and/or pathologist carrying out the investigation.

FOI unclear 50 score 5 working days correspondence
Published
2020-12-23
Reference
FOI/202000124513
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Questions concerning the Scottish Governments response to COVID-19 and testing: FOI release

1. the number of covid infections for sept 2020 oct 2020 and to this date nov 2020 2. out of 100 000 case how many were false positives 3. are false positives added to the daily count 4. if they are not then how do you know so quickly 5. out of the all the cases since just after the snp took no notice of the nike confe...

FOI unclear 75 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2020-12-23
Reference
FOI/202000111728
Directorate
Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Transmission rate of COVID-19 within gyms and self catering accommodation: FOI release

You asked for the transmission rate of Covid infection from gyms and also from self catering accommodation.

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence contracts
Published
2020-12-21
Reference
FOI/202000120905
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Meetings between Lord Advocate and First Minister on specific dates: FOI release

1. All meetings between the Lord Advocate and the First Minister between the dates of the 3 June 2018 and 23 August 2018. 2. The details of these meetings - including minutes, written notes, texts, emails and attachments etc or any other documented information regarding these meetings.

FOI unclear 55 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1)
Published
2020-12-17
Reference
FOI/202000111985
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

COVID-19 funding allocation and Care home residents date of hospital discharge: FOI release

1. A full and detailed breakdown of where the £8.2 billion allocated by the UK government has been spent, how much has been retained and the reason for doing so. 2. What exact date did the First Minister find out that care home residents were being sent back from hospital and without test, or known positives.

FOI unclear 50 score 3 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending
Published
2020-12-17
Reference
FOI/202000124506
Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, +2 more … Money and tax, Public sector

Questions concerning Scottish Government budget and Barnett consequentials: FOI release

1. What share of £8.2 billion guaranteed to the Scottish budget by the UK Government has each portfolio within the Scottish Government received to date. 2. How much of the £8.2 billion guaranteed to the Scottish budget by the UK Government has been allocated and how much is yet to be allocated. 3. Any documents produ...

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2020-12-17
Reference
FOI/202000110208
Directorate
Financial Management Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Police Scotland budget allocated to iVPD: FOI release

You asked for the total funds provided by the Scottish Government to Police Scotland for the establishment of the iVPD (likely called the VPD at the time) i.e. the set up costs. The additional yearly funds that were provided to Police Scotland for the maintenance of the iVPD since 2014, including the costs for “weeding...

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence spending
Published
2020-12-17
Reference
FOI/202000105514
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Law and order, Public safety and emergencies, +1 more … Public sector

Civil servant redeployment to support COVID-19 response: FOI release

The number of civil servants redeployed from the Constitution and Cabinet Directorate during the COVID-19 pandemic to work in other government departments. Broken down by month from April 2020 to present.

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence
Published
2020-12-17
Reference
FOI/202000105326
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Former First Minister allegations: FOI release

"The date on which the First Minister was first notified by Sky News of allegations about Alex Salmond’s behaviour. To clarify, in her written submission to the Scottish Parliament’s Committee on the Handling of Harassment, Nicola Sturgeon stated that she was told of these allegations during November 2017 but I am requ...

FOI unclear 55 score 44 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1)
Published
2020-12-17
Reference
FOI/202000099508
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector