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
18 matching releases

Advertising costs from the last 5 years on STV North: FOI release

How much a) the Scottish Government, and b) Scottish Government Executive Agencies, have spent in each of the last five financial years - a) 2024-2025, b) 2023-2024, c) 2022-2023, d) 2021-2022, and e) 2020-2021 - on advertising with STV North [described by STV Commercial as North (Aberdeen and Dundee)].

FOI withheld 55 score 6 working days correspondence contracts spending s.33 s.33(1) s.17(1)
Published
2026-01-08
Reference
FOI/202500487213
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Online media and marketing advertising budgets: FOI release

Please can you provide me with your spending for 2023-4 and 2024-5 on: * Print media advertising, broken down by newspaper or outlet; and * Online media advertising, broken down by platform, e.g. Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, etc.

FOI withheld 55 score 18 working days correspondence contracts spending s.27 s.33 s.33(1)
Published
2025-07-10
Reference
FOI/202500459416
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Former First Minister memoirs: FOI release

You requested the following information: 1. Any information held on advice provided to Nicola Sturgeon about the Radcliffe Rules around political memoirs. 2. Whether Nicola Sturgeon has submitted a manuscript of her memoir, Frankly, to the Permanent Secretary for approval under those rules. 3. A copy of any part of ...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.3 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-06-09
Reference
FOI/202500458988
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Freedom of Information guidance, monitoring the social media profiles of journalists and sex offender name changing: FOI release

1. Could you supply the full internal guidance/guidebook for dealing with FOIs which the Scottish Government abide by, including whether Special Advisers are given first look at them, and what details they are provided with? 2. Could you supply details about whether the Scottish Government monitor the social media pro...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-02
Reference
FOI/202400408156
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Law and order, Public sector

Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC) ruling 004/2023: FOI release

The cost of any legal advice - either from the Scottish Government's legal directorate or from external advisers/counsel - in regards to the decision to challenge the SIC ruling 004/2023. Any internal correspondence among senior civil servants, special advisers, and ministers (including any attachments or referenced br...

FOI withheld 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.36(1)
Published
2023-08-29
Reference
FOI/202300368377
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meetings attended by First Minister week commencing 18 October 2021: FOI release

For the week beginning October 18, 2021, for any meeting attended by the First Minister, the location, topic, attendees, time and date, alongside all minutes, notes, agendas, memos, handouts, linked to each meeting.

FOI withheld 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.39(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-27
Reference
FOI/202100255927
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Costs of Scottish Government advertising campaigns: FOI release

"Could you please notify me as to how much the Scottish government has paid for all of their advertisements in the press, radio and television? Of particular interest would be the total cost that the Scottish Government has paid to Scottish Television for this purpose." Following clarification, you requested “I would b...

FOI withheld 55 score 13 working days correspondence contracts spending s.33 s.33(1)
Published
2021-12-22
Reference
FOI/202100255054
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Breakdown of Scottish Government advertising spending costs: FOI release

How much was spent by the Scottish Government on advertising in 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, and how much has been spent this year to date (2021/22) on advertising. Please include a breakdown of ALL costs including: 1. Cost of television advertising 2. Cost of radio advertising 3. Cost of newspaper advertising 4. Cost of...

FOI withheld 55 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.27(1)O
Published
2021-10-06
Reference
FOI/202100231696
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

COVID-19 advertising: FOI release

1) A list of all media outlets, including but not restricted to, newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, & the internet, who have received payments from the Scottish Government or its agents for advertisements regarding all information concerning the current pandemic, the restrictions, and vaccines. 2) A detailed bre...

FOI withheld 55 score 18 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2 s.33 s.33(1)
Published
2021-09-15
Reference
FOI/202100225513
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Spending on newspaper advertising: FOI release

The amount of money spent by the central Scottish Government in 2020-21 on advertising within newspapers and magazines, both print and online, in total and broken down by the amount spent with each title.

FOI withheld 55 score 17 working days correspondence contracts spending s.33 s.33(1)
Published
2021-05-07
Reference
FOI/202100184019
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

COVID-19: YouGov omnibus survey research results: FOI release

1. The results of research the Scottish Government has commissioned through the YouGov omnibus survey in the past 12 months on: a. Covid-19 Regulations and compliance with Covid-19 advice b. Covid-19 vaccine c. Adherence or compliance with self-isolation advice and requirements. 2. A copy of any other research the Scot...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence s.2 s.27 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-29
Reference
FOI/202100152730
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, 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

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills confidence motion correspondence: FOI release

correspondence from members of the public to either the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, or the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP, regarding the no confidence motion against Mr Swinney that was debated on 13 August from 09 August 2020 to 14 August 2020.

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-17
Reference
FOI/202000087835
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Education, Public sector

First Minister's trip to France: FOI release

You asked for: 1) Between the commemoration of D-Day and the England vs Scotland match in the Women's Football World Cup, how many days did the First Minister spend in France (inclusive of both days)? 2) How were the costs of the First Minister's trip to France during this time met? 3) How much was spent on travel a...

FOI withheld 55 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.27(1)
Published
2019-07-04
Reference
FOI/201900002155
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

First Minister's hotel expenses for foreign travel: FOI release

1. What was the First Minister's expense for foreign travel from December 1st 2016 to December 1st 2017?2. What were the First Minister's hotel expenses for the same period?3. How many official government trips did the First Minister make during the same period?4. How many unofficial trips did the First Minister make d...

FOI withheld 55 score correspondence ministers spending s.27(1)
Published
2018-02-12
Reference
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Associated staff costs for First Minister's foreign trips: FOI release

The amount of money claimed from public expenses towards travel, accommodation, and interpretation and translation services by Nicola Sturgeon MSP and any member of her staff as part of the foreign trips the First Minister has made since 23rd June, 2017.

FOI withheld 55 score correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.27(1)
Published
2017-12-06
Reference
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Security and transport for Scottish Ministers: FOI release

How much it costs the tax payer in: (1) security and protection for the (a) First Minster and (b) other ministers (2) cost of car transport for the most recent years.

FOI withheld 80 score correspondence ministers spending s.39(1) 2 attachments
Published
2017-11-17
Reference
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Foreign travel undertaken by the First Minister: FOI release

"Since the Brexit vote in 2016, Nicola Sturgeon seems to have made many visits abroad to various European countries including, most recently, Iceland. I would like to know, under Freedom Of Information, the following details: A list of the various trips abroad she has made since 23 June 2016; The number of staff acco...

FOI withheld 55 score correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.27(1)
Published
2017-11-09
Reference
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector