Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

22,640releases indexed
40,478attachments found
29.5avg calendar days
8,386partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-09-02newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,386 unclear 7,405 not held 3,239 released 1,581 already published 700 cost limit 627 clarification 372 withheld 249 transferred 81

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5149 s.20 4430 s.34(1) 3727 s.39(2) 3593 s.30 2994 s.17(1) 2922 s.25(1) 2520 s.10(4) 2060 s.11(2) 1619 s.29(1) 1223 s.2 1222 s.3 958

Timeline

2026-09 1 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,312 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 978 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 961 releases · 30.9 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 737 releases · 39.7 avg days Constitution Directorate 702 releases · 35.9 avg days Population Health Directorate 665 releases · 28.5 avg days People Directorate 657 releases · 25.6 avg days
Clear
1,312 matching releases

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

UK Spring Budget post on Twitter/X: FOI release

This request concerns the following tweet/post on Twitter/X: https://x.com/scotgov/status/1766116922909692407?s=48&t=y9v1mXDn2DQJqjCpgZcKXg Please answer the following questions. In answers where the person or persons concerned cannot be named, please state their positions. (1.) Who composed the post/tweet? (2.) Who...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400403346
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

Internal correspondence regarding the Scottish Government from the First Minister: FOI release

All internal correspondence including, emails, letters, minutes and messages regarding the publication of the First Minister's speeches on the Scottish Government website for the last 18 months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400412231
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Chief of Staff to the First Minister: FOI release

All Chief of Staff to the First Minister, and who the First Minister was they were Chief of Staff to The tenure of duration of each chief of staff General duties, roles and responsibilities of the Chief of Staff to the First Minister Engagements of the Chief of Staff within the Scottish Government, office of the First ...

FOI not held 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1)
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400411404
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Ineos Grangemouth and Michael Matheson MSP correspondence: EIR release

1. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government, including internally, all briefings, all analysis, all minutes/notes from briefings, about Ineos Grangemouth, from the last two months? 2. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government, including int...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(5) s.10 s.38 s.30 s.27 4 attachments
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
EIR/202400415721
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Economy, Public sector

Resignation of Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care: FOI release

All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internal correspondence, minutes, notes and briefings held, about the resignation of Michael Matheson between January 15 2024 and the date of this FOI?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400397967
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Former First Minister meeting cancellations and resignation: FOI release

1. All correspondence, including internally, briefings and notes about Humza Yousaf cancelling his appearance at the Colleges Scotland conference on Wednesday 24 April, and him being subsequently replaced by Jenny Gilruth, held from between April 22 until the date of this FOI. 2. All correspondence, including internal...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.29 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.41 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400412001
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

Former First Minister's travel to London in March 2023: FOI release

In relation to FOI 202300372115 about the former First Minister's travel to London in March 2023 and followed up to ask: 1. Was the trip solely for the purposes of the previous First Minister to take part in a television programme called ‘Loose Women’? 2. If not, was the trip also for the purpose of matters which are...

FOI not held 40 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400412363
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

The National newspaper and Newsquest publications spend: FOI release

1. How much has the Scottish Government spent on The National newspaper, including any grants, advertising contracts and paid subscriptions? Please also detail any other payments made to the newspaper. If possible, please provide this information since 2014. 2. How much has the Scottish Government spent on Newsquest p...

FOI not held 45 score 11 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400413762
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Advertising costs - Pablo, London: FOI release

List of total costs incurred by Scottish Government/HM Government as a Client of Pablo.

FOI not held 40 score 4 working days correspondence spending
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400421381
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Former First Minister Bute House guests lists: FOI release

A list of every visitor/guest to Bute House since Humza Yousaf became First Minister and the number of times each guest has visited.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400409833
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Impartiality of the Scottish Government with regards to political messaging: FOI release

All internal discussions on handling this (202400408775) request. This should include any email correspondence relating to it; any Teams messages relating to it; any documents produced which outlined the assessment made of the balance of public interest test; its inclusion in any summaries going to SCS, Special Adviser...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400413226
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Responses to Ministerial Code breach complaints: FOI release

Scottish Government's response to a previous FoI request (dated 15 March 2024, case reference: 202400401399) which had asked for the text of the 20 most recent complaints against Scottish Ministers that were reviewed against the Scottish Ministerial Code, and asked for: "copies of the Scottish Government's response and...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400420598
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
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

Stewart Milne Group housebuilders, greyhound ban, holiday homes council tax, alcohol levy and Middle East Eye interview: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent about Stewart Milne Group housebuilders, including internally, briefings and minutes from any meetings about the company, from between November 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. All briefings and analysis produced by or for the Scottish Government about the ban on greyhound ra...

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 73 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400402718
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Economy, Housing, International, +1 more … Public sector

Public Interest Tests: FOI release

1. Monthly, from January 2023 to present date, the number of Scottish Government FOI responses sent that invoked a public interest test in deciding whether to uphold an exemption. (A response that invoked more than one test would still count as a single instance) 2. Monthly, from January 2023 to present date, the numb...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 19 working days correspondence briefings 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400415303
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills