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
766 matching releases

Correspondence with Simon Case around independence: FOI release

You asked for all correspondence (including emails, whatsapp, texts) between Simon Case, his office, Scottish Government officials, civil servants and ministers/ministers offices, regarding independence and spending on independence since November 23 2022.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-16
Reference
FOI/202200334747
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Ministerial Preferences for Out of Hours Working: FOI Review

Original request - 202300341181 "Please supply the content of all documentation regarding the preferences of all current Scottish Government ministers for working on or being contacted on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and during anti-social hours, including preferences regarding a disinclination to work or be c...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-02
Reference
FOI/202300349479 Review of 202300341181
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Ministers' private interests: FOI release

(1) All the information in all the lists of interests (including spouse, partner and family interests) provided by each minister currently serving in the Scottish Government upon their appointment, including the information provided by the First Minister; (2) Any confirmation from ministers, at the time of their appoi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.11 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2023-03-23
Reference
FOI/202300341145
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister media interviews: FOI release

The number of individual (one on one rather than press conference) media interviews given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon between 4 December 2020 and 4 December 2022. Please list these by outlet e.g “The Times” or "STV News" along with the journalist's name and the date. Please list all interviews given regardles...

FOI not held 70 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-02-21
Reference
FOI/202200332827
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care trips to Orkney and Commonwealth Games: FOI release

1. How much did Humza Yousaf's trip to the Commonwealth Games cost and breakdown of these costs and how long was he there for (exact date/s)? 2. Itinerary for Mr Yousaf's trip to the Commonwealth Games and how did he get there and back and costs of this? 3. How much did Humza Yousaf's trip to Orkney and Shetland cost d...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.27
Published
2023-01-05
Reference
FOI/202200317696
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector, Transport

Flights taken by Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie: FOI release

1. The total number of flights Lorna Slater has taken since becoming a Scottish Government Minister in 2021, please separate these out into domestic and international flights. 2. The total cost of these flights, please separate these out into domestic and international flights. 3. The total distance of these flights, p...

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.3 s.4
Published
2022-12-15
Reference
FOI/202200323652
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Collaborative messaging apps and non-work / social spaces: FOI release

Please see the notes at the bottom for clarification on these requests. 1. Do you use one or more collaborative messaging apps? ** If no to Q1, Q2-4 do not apply to you and I do not need a response to them. ** 2. Please supply: 2.1. a list of names of those apps, and 2.2. the total number of your employees and workers ...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.1 s.4 s.17(1)
Published
2022-12-05
Reference
FOI/202200328528
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Press officers and special advisors: FOI release

1. How many press officers and special advisers are currently (date of this FOI) employed by the Scottish Government? Breakdown of both categories. 2. How many of both categories were employed in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021? 3. How many special advisers does Nicola Sturgeon have? How many does each minister have? How much a...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.2 s.6 s.25(1) s.27(1)
Published
2022-11-17
Reference
FOI/202200325260
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost to tax payers to cover the energy expenses of MP/MSPs: FOI release

Request 1: The number and type of flights taken by ScotGov Ministers and MSP's including Nicola Sturgeon and The Greens since 2020 and also the Westminster MPs including Ian Blackford. Please include whether private or public, airline, the destination/reason for the flight and class of travel ticket and the cost to tax...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.27(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-10
Reference
FOI/202200319290
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with Ross Greer MSP: FOI release

1. All correspondence between Ross Greer MSP and Kate Forbes MSP since January 1, 2022, including emails, phone calls (including minutes of these), in-person meetings, Whatsapp messages, Twitter messages, Signal messages and any other smartphone communication. 2. All correspondence between Ross Greer MSP and John Swinn...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.29(1) s.30(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-05
Reference
FOI/202200315607
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications relating to 2021 drug death statistics: FOI release

Email or written correspondence from the Scottish Government media department concerning the First Minister's official media statement on the latest NRC report on drug deaths 2021. Specifically the correspondence between the team or individuals who were responsible for helping put together Nicola Sturgeon's statement t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-03
Reference
FOI/202200313479
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Ministers pay talks: FOI release

1. Information relating to all meetings held in which Ross Greer MSP and Kate Forbes MSP were present since January 1, 2022, including, dates, times, locations, minutes and actions resulting from the meeting. Please exclude all Scottish Parliament committee meetings, all party groups, and meetings of the whole Scottish...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.29(1) s.30(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-09-13
Reference
FOI/202200315611
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information on any media, voice or public speaking training Ministers have had over the last five financial years: FOI release

Please confirm all media training, voice coaching, public speaking coaching or presentational training provided to Scottish Government ministers in each of the last five full financial years, including 2018/19 to today’s date. In each individual case, please confirm which minister received the training, how much it co...

FOI already published 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.25(1)
Published
2022-09-06
Reference
FOI/202200309585
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Minister's visit to the Dandelion Floating Garden in Falkirk: FOI release

For details of the Minister's visit to the Dandelion Floating Garden in Falkirk. 1. When did Patrick Harvie visit the Dandelion Floating Garden in Falkirk in July? 2. What mode of transport did he use to get there? 3. Cost of this trip and breakdown of these costs? 4. Was he accompanied by anyone and their job titl...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2022-08-30
Reference
FOI/202200311416
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Bute House Visits: FOI release

1. A record of everyone who visited Bute House between 24th March 2020 to the 15th July 2020. To clarify, I only want a record of people who visited and entered Bute House whose official place of work isn't Bute House. 2. A record of everyone who visited Bute House between 5th January 2021 and 5th April 2021. To clarif...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers contracts s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-01
Reference
FOI/202200280151
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

The First Minister's car journeys during lockdown: FOI release

1. The full record of the First Minister's car journeys between 24th March 2020 until 15th July 2020. 2. The full record of the First Minister's car journeys between 5th January 2021 and 5th April 2021.

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.25(1)
Published
2022-08-01
Reference
FOI/202200307419
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Angus Robertson's ministerial itinerary between 28th February and Monday 6th June 2022: FOI release

1. Angus Robertson's full ministerial itinerary between February 28 and Monday June 6 including a breakdown of events he has attended and his whereabouts on each day in this timeframe. Can this include where the events he attended were held, what he did at these events? 2. Do you have figures of how many days he was i...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 7 working days correspondence ministers s.27(1)
Published
2022-07-21
Reference
FOI/202200303949
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Officials and Ministers who attended Scotland Week 2022: FOI release

Please provide a list of all ministers and officials who attended Scotland Week 2022 as part of the Scottish Government delegation. Please provide all costs associated with Scotland Week 2022, broken down to show the reason for the expenditure. Please provide details of all travel, accommodation and subsistence costs f...

FOI unclear 80 score 1 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-06-23
Reference
FOI/202200300095
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Scottish Budget

Information regarding staff within Corporate communications: FOI release

1. How many staff are employed within the Scottish Government corporate communications department (or equivalent) with duties involving the health and social care portfolio? 2. What pay banding do each of the staff members within the department with duties relating to the health and social care portfolio fall into? Ple...

FOI unclear 50 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers
Published
2022-06-22
Reference
FOI/202200300251
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Resilience Training visits made to Bute House: FOI release

In a previous FOI response (ref 202200280151) it was stated that there were visits made to Bute House by Scottish Government employees on the 25th, 26th, 30th & 31st of March 2020 and later on the 16th April 2020 and each time their 'reason for visit' was 'Resilience Training'. Please provide the following information:...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1)
Published
2022-06-07
Reference
FOI/202200296780
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands' trip to Catalonia in April 2022: FOI release

You asked for the following: 1. The total cost of Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon’s trip to Catalonia on the week commencing 25 April 2022, including the cost of travel, accommodation, and all expenses. 2. The Cabinet Secretary’s method of travel to and from Catalonia on the week commencing 25 April 2022. 3. How the Sc...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2
Published
2022-06-07
Reference
FOI/202200297360
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial preferences for how briefings, speeches and correspondence are prepared and handled: FOI release

"I would be grateful if you could provide the content of all documentation regarding Ministerial preferences detailing how current Scottish Government Ministers prefer their briefings, speeches and correspondence to be prepared and handled."

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-05-23
Reference
FOI/202200278457
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Conservative Party: FOI release

Internal correspondence between the press office and from the press office to special advisers and Scottish Ministers on the Conservative conference or the Conservatives generally during September or October 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2022-05-23
Reference
FOI/202200291454
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Tartan Week trip: FOI release

Details of the travelling costs, including costs of Scottish Government Minister Angus Robertson, to fly to North America and back during Tartan Week, which took place on April 6 and finished in a Tartan Day Parade in New York on April 9; can you please confirm if Mr Robertson and his colleagues travelled business or f...

FOI unclear 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending 2 attachments
Published
2022-05-17
Reference
FOI/202200294438
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, International, Public sector