Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

22,340releases indexed
40,102attachments found
29.6avg calendar days
8,293partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-07-29newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,293 unclear 7,326 not held 3,160 released 1,571 already published 681 cost limit 621 clarification 363 withheld 246 transferred 79

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5064 s.20 4374 s.34(1) 3675 s.39(2) 3556 s.30 2943 s.17(1) 2856 s.25(1) 2461 s.10(4) 2031 s.11(2) 1601 s.29(1) 1201 s.2 1196 s.3 930

Timeline

2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,298 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 972 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 945 releases · 30.9 avg days Learning Directorate 866 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 733 releases · 39.8 avg days Constitution Directorate 700 releases · 35.9 avg days Population Health Directorate 653 releases · 28.6 avg days People Directorate 647 releases · 25.7 avg days
Clear
22,340 matching releases

Breakdown of Transport Scotland frontline communication and press officers: FOI release

1. Can you please set out how many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers there have been for each of the ten years to 2019/20. If an average number cannot be sourced, pick March as a snapshot. 1b. How many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers were there in January (snapshot) 2021. 1c. What was ...

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence spending 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/202100145245
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector, Transport

Data relating to press officers: FOI release

Can you please set out how many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers there were in March (snapshot) 2020? How many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers were there in January (snapshot) 2021? What was the cost of employing those staff in 2019/20? What has been the cost of employing these staff ...

FOI unclear 50 score 43 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/202100143566
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Communication relating to funding for outdoor education centres: FOI release

Any communications (including letters, emails, text or Whatsapp messages or phone calls) between civil servants and Ministers on the subject of funding for outdoor education centres. I would like this information from 20 August 2020 to 23 October 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38 s.33 s.29 s.38(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/202000113897
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Money and tax, Public sector

James Hamilton QC independent investigation: FOI release

1 - An Independent Investigation currently being led by James Hamilton QC is investigating possible breaches of the ministerial code by the First Minister. If he concludes that the FM did not knowingly mislead parliament as well as did not break other parts of the MC then I presume that the First Minister would not res...

FOI released 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.1 s.25(1)
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/20210016129
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Judicial review launched by Compassion in World Farming: FOI release

Total legal costs in relation to the judicial review proceedings launched by Compassion in World Farming over live calf exports. This should include the cost of hiring legal representation. Compassion in World Farming launched judicial review proceedings in February. Please see background here: https://www.ciwf.org.uk/...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/20200009176
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Farming and rural, Money and tax, Public sector

Information relating to Higher and Advance Higher exams 2021: FOI release

The Scottish Government has previously announced that National 5 exam diets would be cancelled but that Higher and Advanced Higher diets would go ahead. Education secretary John Swinney has since stated that alternate approaches have been developed and that a decision could be made as late as February to switch to thes...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202000114519
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Data relating to lost fishing gear: EIR release

What data does the UKFMC collect regarding losses of fishing gear? How many reports of lost fishing gear does the UKFMC receive per year? Is there a data set of these reports where we can draw statistics such as type of gear, locations, type of vessel and perhaps even causes of loss? How far does the data go back and i...

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 17 working days correspondence s.12 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202100155758
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Briefings in reference to disability unemployment rates: FOI release

Copies of any civil servant briefings prepared on disability unemployment rates, or that reference disability unemployment rates.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202100140775
Directorate
Topic
Economy, Equality and rights, Public sector, +1 more … Work and skills

Impact of Engender on policy and practice correspondence: FOI release

Could you provide me with copies of all information, including but not limited to correspondence, notes of telephone calls and emails held by Scottish Government on any assessment carried out by the Scottish Government, or carried out by others but submitted to the Scottish Government, of Engender and its impact on pol...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings 6 attachments
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202000108975
Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Accountability arrangement relating to particular public bodies: FOI release

1. Will you please advise me of which department is accountable for the financial control and performance of any nationalised industry, including Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited (FMEL)? How can I access any relevant information relating thereto? 2. To whom is Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL)accountable? Un...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.2
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202100141948
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector, Transport

Former Finance Secretary’s representation to the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee: FOI release

Please provide all information held, including legal opinion, about finance secretary Derek Mackay's representation to the Scottish Government's finance committee in November, last year where he talked about a "proposed contingent liability" which was passed by MSPs. This should include, but is not limited to (A) all ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.33(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202000106220
Directorate
Topic
Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

Road inspections and maintenance to part of the A76: EIR release

In relation to the A76 between Mauchline and Auchinleck at the blue bridge over the river Ayr: 1. A copy of your current road maintenance policy relating to that road. Please send me the full policy, but this should include details of the intended frequency of road safety inspections, how these inspections should be c...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 5 working days correspondence contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.2 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202000119528
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Total amount spent on YouTube advertising: FOI release

I would like to know the amount spent by the Scottish Government on YouTube advertising since March 1st 2020.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100141141
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Information relating to Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018: FOI release

I would like to request further information on the following. 1. Has data from the PISA 2018 study for Scotland been linked to administrative records of children, including their National 4 and National 5 examinations. 2. Could you please provide me with the National 4 and National 5 grades achieved by the PISA 2018 sa...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.2 s.3 s.12(1) s.4 s.5A s.6
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100141438
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

All written evidence to James Hamilton QC's investigation: FOI release

- All written evidence to James Hamilton's QC investigation into the FM under the ministerial code. This includes evidence from the FM, her chief of staff Liz Lloyd and any other individuals within the Scottish Government who have submitted evidence.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100161098
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Dame Elish Angiolini report: FOI release

Correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) between the Scottish Government and Dame Angiolini regarding her report entitled ‘Independent Review of Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202000112089
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Frontline communication and press officers employed by Accountant in Bankruptcy: FOI release

1. Can you please set out how many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers there have been for each of the ten years to 2019/20. If an average number cannot be sourced, pick March as a snapshot. 1b. How many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers were there in January (snapshot) 2021. 1c. What was ...

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100144891
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Air Discount Scheme (ADS) budget from 2006: FOI release

The Scottish Government’s budget, and underspend, for each financial year on the Air Discount Scheme (ADS) since its creation in 2006.

FOI unclear 50 score 182 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100155947
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

First Minister interview with James Hamilton QC: FOI release

In a recent FOI response, with the reference number: 202100150391 an annex was attached which contained an email from the First Minister’s office that stated the afternoon of 1 February 2021 would be held for a video interview between the First Minister and James Hamilton regarding the Ministerial Code investigation. P...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100159382
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government's capital borrowing: FOI release

I understand the Scottish Government is able to borrow from the National Loans Fund, from banks on commercial terms or through issuing bonds. Can I please receive a breakdown for how much was borrowed from each of these for each of the last five financial years; and at what interest rate? Can you please release all rel...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.5 s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100140004
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

2021 Scottish Parliamentary elections correspondence: FOI release

From 1 August 2020 to present: Copies of all correspondence (emails, texts, whatsapp message, briefings, memos, notes, handwritten notes, minutes of calls, minutes of meetings and/or otherwise) from and/or to Special Advisors and/or civil servants regarding using the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary elections as a mandate f...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.38 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100140697
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Brewalds Road development and planning appeal PPA-370-2073 information: EIR release

"Can you please send me the following files: Site Location Plan; Proposed Site Plan (and/or indicative masterplan, as appropriate); Application Form (original application); Planning Statement (original application); Report of Handling; Decision Notice (relating to original application and issued by Planning Authority)...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202000109347
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Communities and third sector, Environment and climate change, Public sector