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

Budget for the First Minister’s visit to Germany: FOI release

Regarding the First Minister’s visit to Germany (202400419244), can I ask what budget that would come out of?

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending
Published
2024-09-12
Reference
FOI/202400423097
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Freedom of Information Review statistics: FOI release

For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government are reviewed. For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI reviews to the Scottish Government are partially or fully upheld.

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.20 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-11
Reference
FOI/202400422722
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence in relation to the monitoring of direct Twitter/X messages: FOI release

The number of requests that have been made by the Scottish Government to the social media platform X formerly known as Twitter in relation to the monitoring of users’ direct messages.

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence
Published
2024-09-09
Reference
FOI/202400421813
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public Sector, Work and skills

Cost of First Minister's trip to Germany: FOI release

Who paid for your trip to Germany?

FOI unclear 50 score 10 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400421044
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Ministerial decisions taken by former Minister for Parliamentary Business: FOI release

Further to 202400410545, would you please send comparable figures for George Adam. For ease, you can send from 1 April 2023 - 31 April 2024, so 13 months. For reference, in FOI 202400410545 which you are referring to, you asked: “Would you please provide the number of decisions recorded on eRDM for the above minister...

FOI unclear 75 score 16 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400421331
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Advertising spend on "Tenants Have Rights" campaign: FOI release

1. Copies of the promotional material included in this campaign; 2. Clarification of the channels this advertisement being broadcast on (billboards, social media etc.); 3. Confirmation of the total spend, per channel, on this advertisement campaign to date; 4. The expected budget for this campaign, as well as the ex...

FOI unclear 75 score 13 working days correspondence spending 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400406859
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Scottish Ministerial Device Handover: FOI release

1) Whether the Scottish Government devices of George Adam, Emma Roddick, Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater were all handed in following their departure from the Scottish Government. 2) What will happen to the emails/WhatsApp/Instant/Text messages that were stored on those devices. For example, will they be stored on the...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending whatsapp
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400413101
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government marketing campaign and media spend: FOI release

Confirmation of every Scottish pound spent by Scottish Government or invested in Scottish and UK cross cutting media, without qualification and any related conflicts of interest.

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence spending
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400413331
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government’s travel and subsistence policy information: FOI release

At last week's First Minister's Questions, The First Minister repeatedly said that Mr Matheson had paid back every penny of the expenses claimed (for roaming charges), so there was no cost to the taxpayer. Given this statement I wish to understand the total cost incurred for all investigations, parliamentary time, res...

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400415817
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government and Parliament definitions: FOI release

1. What is the Scottish Government ? 2. How many elected individuals form part of the Scottish Government? 3. What is the difference between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament?

FOI unclear 55 score 4 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400418666
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Letter to the Former First Minister from Ash Regan: FOI release

So it’s just been said on the radio and the tele that Ash Regan has written to the First Minister and that it has to do with the vote of no confidence that he could face. She apparently wrote it today. 1. I’d like to have a copy of that letter or whatever for it was delivered to the First Minister. Her words to him. I...

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-02
Reference
FOI/202400411202
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Number of times Hydrogen and Heat Pumps have been discussed at Cabinet: FOI release

The number of times that hydrogen has been discussed at cabinet since 29 March 2023; The number of times that heat pumps and heat networks have been discussed at cabinet since 29 March 2023.

FOI unclear 50 score 4 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2024-07-30
Reference
FOI/202300359854
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Building a New Scotland Publications: FOI release

This is a follow up request to a previous FOI response. Your ref: 202300365543. Please can the same questions answered in the above referenced FOI response be answered again, and brought fully up to date. In other words, the answers should now include all eleven "Building a New Scotland" papers so far published, and d...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2024-07-10
Reference
FOI/202400403680
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Building a new Scotland, Constitution and democracy, Public sector

British Sign Language videos on the Scottish Government website: FOI release

How many videos are available in British Sign Language on the following websites: www.gov.scot/health‐and‐social‐care

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence
Published
2024-06-12
Reference
FOI/202400413941
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Health and social care, Public sector

Lorna Slater MSP, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity - Mobile phone: FOI release

I have read that on Martin Geissler's BBC Sunday Show Lorna Slater the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, revealed that she does not have a government phone. Was that statement true? If she does not have a government phone and urgent contact by telephone by or from the Minister is required, ...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2024-05-13
Reference
FOI/202300386824
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021: FOI release

How much has the SG spent in calendar year 2024 on advertising in relation to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021? The total figure should include online/social media advertising and you would like a separate breakdown for advertising on social media platforms.

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence
Published
2024-05-02
Reference
FOI/202400409010
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Records of Ministerial decisions: FOI release

How decisions taken by Scottish ministers are recorded and specifically: The system used. The information recorded for each decision (eg: date, minister’s name, summary of decision) and a summary of categories (eg positive policy decision, negative funding decision). What other information is recorded on this system (...

FOI unclear 50 score 4 working days correspondence ministers briefings
Published
2024-04-24
Reference
FOI/202400408757
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Social Media Management Platforms used: FOI Release

1. Do you use a Social Media Management platform? 2. If so, what tools do you use? 3. What is your annual spend on a Social Media Management tool? 4. What dates does your contract with your current supplier end (month & year)? 5. Do you use a tool for Social Listening and/or a Media Monitoring platform? 6. If so, ...

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending
Published
2024-04-22
Reference
FOI/202400405449
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Budget to promote Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act: FOI release

What budget has been set aside by the Scottish Government to promote through advertisement social media, TV, etc the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021?

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence
Published
2024-04-12
Reference
FOI/202400405350
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade trip to Los Angeles: FOI release

1. A breakdown of the costs of Richard Lochhead's trip to Los Angeles in October 2023. 2. A breakdown of the costs related to the officials accompanying Mr Lochhead to Los Angeles in October 2023.

FOI unclear 50 score 14 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2024-04-10
Reference
FOI/202400400044
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Building a New Scotland series website downloads: FOI release

In March, the SG published its eleventh paper as part of the ‘Building a New Scotland’ series. Please provide the number of downloads for each paper on the SG website.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence
Published
2024-04-08
Reference
FOI/202400402847
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Building a new Scotland, Public sector

Number of FOIs submitted regarding Education and Skills: FOI release

The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Education and Skills from 1 to 30 November 2023. By Education, I am referring to any subject that may fall under the remit of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, the Minister for higher and further education and the Minister for children, you...

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 8 working days correspondence ministers s.20
Published
2024-04-03
Reference
FOI/202400392433
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Scottish Government staff associated with Ministers: FOI release

"The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles, not names of individuals) for all of the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers, 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 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2024-03-28
Reference
FOI/202400392767
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government Working Groups: FOI release

1. The number of Scottish Government Working Groups currently. 2. The total amount spent by the Scottish Government on Working Groups for the years 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24. 3. The budgets for each working group in the years given above. 4. How those working groups spent their money (salaries, expenses, office s...

FOI unclear 75 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending 2 attachments
Published
2024-03-26
Reference
FOI/202300390761
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills