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
525 matching releases

Repair and maintenance works carried out at First Minster's residence: FOI release

Can you please give details of the repair and maintenance works carried out at Bute house (official residence of the first minister) since the 2021 lockdown provisions were announced including but not limited to a detailed breakdown of any repairs and maintenance carried out, the areas of Bute house that have been subj...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending
Published
2021-03-24
Reference
FOI/202100143539
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Outsourced frontline communications staff/press officers: FOI release

1. How many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers have been employed that have been outsourced, In other words, not in-house but external PR/communications supplied by a private company between 2009/10 and 2019/20. If an average number isn't available, pick March as a snapshot. 1a. How much was spent on ou...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2021-03-24
Reference
FOI/202100143590
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector, Work and skills

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

Correspondence relating to Scottish National Party (SNP) independence taskforce: FOI release

From 10 January 2021 to present: Copies of correspondence (emails, texts, whatsapp messages, briefings, minutes of calls, minutes of meetings and/or otherwise) from and/or to Special Advisors regarding the SNP’s plan to set up an ‘Independence Taskforce’ announced on 17 January 2021 by Keith Brown.

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-15
Reference
FOI/202100140612
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector, Topics

Correspondence concerning First Minister meetings in August 2020: FOI release

1) For the month of August, a list of any meetings involving the First Minister not listed on the information published here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/ministerial-engagements-travel-andgifts-august-2020/ which was considered to include the discussion of government business. 2) For all of the meetings in Augus...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-12
Reference
FOI/202100134861
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government marketing and advertising costs: FOI release

"How much has the Scottish Government spent on NHS Scotland press and tv advertising during the lockdown restrictions?"

FOI unclear 50 score 14 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-03-01
Reference
FOI/202100146226
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government television advertising budgets: FOI release

1. In the period between April 1st 2019 and March 2020 how much did the Scottish Government pay for all TV advertising and related media buying and planning services for all Government departments. 2. In the period from April 1st 2020 to present, how much had the Scottish Government set aside and paid including work on...

FOI unclear 55 score 58 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.2 s.3
Published
2021-02-18
Reference
FOI/202000110615
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Information relating to the One Million Words of Kindness campaign: FOI release

a) Please confirm the total spend so far on the ‘One Million Words of Kindness’ campaign? b) Please confirm the total budget for the ‘One Million Words of Kindness’ campaign? c) Please confirm the total costs associated with the design, printing and distribution of the 100,000 ‘One Million Words of Kindness’ postcard...

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-02-11
Reference
FOI/202000118682
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Total number of fleet vehicles owned by the Scottish Government: FOI release

You asked for the total number of fleet vehicles owned by the Scottish Government.

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence
Published
2021-02-03
Reference
FOI/202000119365
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector, Transport

Total amount of money Scottish Government spent on advertisement with SI Games: FOI release

You asked “How much money has the Scottish Government, or associated government agencies, spent on advertising with the company SI Games (or Sega) and, specifically, its computer games Football Manager 2019, Football Manager 2020, and Football Manager 2021”.

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-02-03
Reference
FOI/202000113076
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Face masks worn by the First Minister: FOI release

Who supplies Ms Sturgeon's face masks, how much do they cost and does she pay for them herself?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2021-01-29
Reference
FOI/202000131456
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): dealing with awkward social situations – guidance’: FOI release

1) Any briefing or correspondence (including emails, letter and phone records) around the Scottish Government’s ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): dealing with awkward social situations – guidance’, published on the 7 December. 2) Any previous drafts of the Scottish Government’s ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): dealing with awkward soci...

FOI unclear 75 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence briefings spending 2 attachments
Published
2021-01-18
Reference
FOI/202000122884
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

COVID-19 FACTS advertising campaign associated costs: FOI release

"a full a detailed breakdown of costs associated the FACTS campaign by the Scottish Government for covid 19, including any and all advertising costs."

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-01-18
Reference
FOI/202000124564
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

The Covid Guide to Etiquette and Pandemic Politeness costs: FOI release

How much has been spent to date on The Covid Guide to Etiquette and Pandemic Politeness. Please include a breakdown of ALL costs including: 1. Cost to produce and publish the guide. 2. Cost of any consultant agencies used to contribute to the production of the guide. 3. Cost of distribution of the guide. 4. Cost of a...

FOI unclear 50 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-01-14
Reference
FOI/202000121890
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, 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

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

Public information adverts and general advertising campaigns regarding COVID-19:FOI release

The financial cost of Public Information Adverts and general advertising campaigns regarding Covid.

FOI unclear 50 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2020-11-23
Reference
FOI/202000096049
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

NHS and Scottish Government social media campaign budget spend: FOI release

How much of the taxpayers money has been recorded as being budgeted for the "Stick to the rules and help protect our businesses and jobs" joint NHS-Scottish Government campaign that is currently running on a 24 hour cycle on the social media platforms such as YouTube and Spotify.

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence spending
Published
2020-11-23
Reference
FOI/202000108814
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Correspondence between the First Minister and the Prime Minister of New Zealand: FOI release

"I want to know how many times Nicola Sturgeon has contacted Jacinda Ardern PM of New Zealand by email and telephone in the past 6 months".

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2020-11-09
Reference
FOI/202000091242
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, International, Public sector

Scottish Government estates and selling of alcohol: FOI release

1. What provision is made within Scottish Government buildings of facilities which are licensed to sell alcohol? 2. Are the hours during which alcohol is sold the same as in non-Scottish Government buildings in Scotland? 3. Have any changes been made to the permitted hours within the last 12 months and, if so, what w...

FOI unclear 55 score 4 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2020-11-06
Reference
FOI/202000092535
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government Special Adviser WhatsApp group titles: FOI release

1. The titles of WhatsApp groups that Scottish Government Special Advisors are in.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp
Published
2020-11-06
Reference
FOI/202000087805
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

The First Minister's office and Special advisers of the Scottish Government: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles not names of individuals) for the First Minister's Office, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government.

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers
Published
2020-10-29
Reference
FOI/202000082245
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FACTS Public Health Campaign: FOI release

What options were being considered by ministers and clinical advisers for Scotland’s public health campaign, which ended up being FACTS. I would appreciate knowing what acronyms, messaging or other were being considered.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers contracts
Published
2020-10-28
Reference
FOI/202000094026
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Scottish Government newspaper advertising funding: FOI release

The figures, on how much taxpayers money, the Scottish Government has given to the following publications; The Scotsman. The Herald. The National. The Dundee Courier. The Press & Journal. The Inverness Courier. and any other publications that have received Scottish Government funding.

FOI unclear 50 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2020-10-21
Reference
FOI/202000062491
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector