Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,863releases indexed
39,476attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,112partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-05-20newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,112 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

2026-05 410 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 1,279 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
1,279 matching releases

Scottish Government Public Consultation on draft bills: FOI release

"A list of the bills where some or all of the proposed sections were consulted on in draft in a public consultation before being introduced, since 1 May 2018, and for each bill consulted on in this way whether a whole draft bill was provided or only extracts from it".

FOI unclear 50 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence
Published
2024-09-13
Reference
FOI/202400411306
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Former First Minister’s engagements in London in March 2023: FOI Review

Original request 202400412363 Information relating to the former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon’s engagements in London in March 2023.

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-12
Reference
FOI/202400417846 Review of 202400412363
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

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

Cost of First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture's trip to Germany for the Euros: FOI release

How much of taxpayers money was used by John Swinney, Angus Robertson et all to go to Germany for the Euros.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.39(1)
Published
2024-09-12
Reference
FOI/202400422831
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister's trip to Germany and Euro 2024: FOI release

So what official business was he there for? Very strange that a failed First Minister of devolved assembly happened to be in Germany at the same time as a football game!!! But attending a Scotland football match so who paid for that ticket? Also you spelled something rong###.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.27(1)
Published
2024-09-12
Reference
FOI/202400423100
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Data costs incurred by Former Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care of Scotland: FOI Review

Original request 202300384550 Correspondence (including WhatsApps, phone calls, text messages, emails and meetings) related to roaming charges racked up by Michael Matheson.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending whatsapp s.30 s.29(1) s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2024-09-12
Reference
FOI/202300389191 Review of 202300384550
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Spring Budget communications campaign: FOI Review

Original request (202400403341) You recently engaged in a communications campaign, e.g. https://x.com/scotgov/status/1766116922909692407 The text reads: “The UK Spring Budget has failed to deliver the funding Scotland needs for public services. National Insurance cuts in the Spring Budget and Autumn Statement have ...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38 s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-11
Reference
FOI/202400413228 Review of 202400403341
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Scottish Budget

Percentage of Freedom of Information requests that receive a late response: FOI release

For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government receive a late response (based on timescales set out on FOISA). For each month of the last 5 years, the number of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government that receive a late response.

FOI/EIR released 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.20
Published
2024-09-11
Reference
FOI/202400422810
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

Response time statistics for Freedom of Information requests: FOI release

The mean, median and maximum response times for an FOI to the Scottish Government for each month of the last five years. The number and percentage of FOIs that were referred to Special Advisers for each month of the last five years. The mean, median and maximum response times for all FOIs referred to Special Advisers...

FOI/EIR released 100 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers s.20 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-11
Reference
FOI/202400422721
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Freedom of Information request response statistics: FOI release

The top 10 longest waits for currently outstanding FOIs, including information about the department handling it and subject of the FOI.

FOI/EIR released 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending whatsapp s.20
Published
2024-09-11
Reference
FOI/202400422720
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

BBC Scotland Debate Night programme: FOI release

Any emails sent from Scottish Government email addresses, between 27 March 2023 and 21 June 2024, containing references to the BBC Scotland Debate Night programme.

FOI released 100 score 14 working days correspondence s.38 4 attachments
Published
2024-09-09
Reference
FOI/202400420005
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, 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

Ministers and staff who visited Germany during Euro 2024: FOI release

1. List of all ministers and staff (grade/profession if not SCS) who visited Germany during the Euros 2024. 2. The total cost of these trips (broken down by spend).

FOI partially withheld 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.27(1)
Published
2024-09-09
Reference
FOI/202400422955
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

Cost of First Minister and his team to attend the Euros 2024: FOI release

How much public money was used for our First Minister, and his team, to attend the Euros football game in Germany in June 2024?

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.39(1)
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400419221
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cost of travel and accommodation for the First Minister’s visit to Germany: FOI release

1. Total cost of travel and accommodation for the full duration of FM’s visit to Germany over the weekend of Friday 14 June. 2. Correspondence between private office and officials around the visit planning, agenda etc. 3. Correspondence between private office, officials and stakeholders which FM met including invites...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.4 s.39(1) s.12
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400419226
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Costs relating to John Swinney's trip to Germany: FOI release

A breakdown of costs relating to John Siwnney's [sic] trip to Germany in June 2024. A full list of SG staff in attendance and associated costs. Any correspondence held by the Government in relation to the trip. Notes of the meeting that took place between Mr Swinney and the Bavarian Minister of State for Europe and ...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.39(1) s.12 s.32(1) s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400419227
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cost of John Swinney and company to attend the Euros24: FOI release

Who is paying for John Swinney and company to attend the Euros24 and what is it costing?

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.39(1)
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400419244
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

Angela Constance's Oslo trip and Angus Robertson's Tartan Week trip: FOI release

The full costs of Angela Constance's trip to Oslo in March, including how many officials she took with her, their expenses, and cost of hotels/travel there, including the name of the hotel she stayed in. The full itinerary from her time in Oslo, and all minutes/notes from meetings she held there. All correspondence sen...

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400412095
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, 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

Former Health Secretary's resignation and the Former Deputy First Minister's attendance at tax advisory meeting: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internal correspondence, briefings and notes, about Michael Matheson's resignation, and whether he will take his severance payment, between February 5 2024 and March 5 2024. 2. The reason behind Shona Robison missing the Scottish Government ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400404652
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Money and tax, Public sector

Journalist requests for interview with First Minister: FOI release

A list of all requests made by print journalists for a sit-down interview with the First Minister from 29 March - date. You also asked for an indication of the response (i.e. declined or agreed) against each listed request.

FOI released 95 score 17 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400404744
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Spring Budget communications campaign: FOI release

You recently engaged in a communications campaign, e.g. https://x.com/scotgov/status/1766116922909692407 The text reads: “The UK Spring Budget has failed to deliver the funding Scotland needs for public services. National Insurance cuts in the Spring Budget and Autumn Statement have cost £20 billion. This means Scotl...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.17 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400403341
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector