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
59 matching releases

Alleged ministerial code breach by Jenny Gilruth: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish government, Humza Yousaf and Jenny Gilruth over her allegedly breaching the ministerial code over delaying rail works in her constituency, 2. Has an investigation been started by the First Minister into this incident after he promised to do so on 18 May? 3. If s...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38 s.36 s.30 s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2024-01-05
Reference
202300361845
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Decision making process surrounding the FMEL ferries: FOI release

On 3 May 2022 John-Paul Marks appeared in front of the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee. He was answering questions on the decision making process surrounding the FMEL ferries. In particular he was asked if the failure to properly keep written records of decision making process was a breach of the law. He stated t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings contracts s.30 s.33(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-21
Reference
202200298441
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Royal Household handling of requests: FOI release

Accordingly, please provide any information held by the Scottish Government in relation to the following matters: How any request by the Royal Household for information in relation to a Bill for which consent is sought, or any objection to the Bill’s content, are to be handled, including any general policies or practi...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.20 s.30 s.36(1) s.41
Published
2023-10-11
Reference
202300359750
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
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

Information regarding complaint made by Alex Salmond: FOI review

I previously sent an FOI regarding an allegation that the name of a complainer had been revealed to Mr Geoff Aberdein by a senior Scottish Government official. A complaint had been made about this by Mr Alex Salmond, and I asked a series of questions regarding this. It is only recently that I have been made aware throu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence s.21(4) s.1 s.2 s.26 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.6 4 attachments
Published
2022-01-31
Reference
FOI/202100254262 review of 202100244471
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence involving Joanna Cherry MP: FOI release

Any mention of Joanna Cherry in communications sent Correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, texts or instant messages, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) by Scottish Government Ministers or Special Advisors to Scottish Government minist...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.36 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-16
Reference
FOI/202000087424
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Various questions surrounding the expenses/financial repercussions of the case against the former First Minister: FOI release

1) What is the total costs the Government must pay Mr A Salmond 2) What were the total costs of legal advice used by you defending the charge 3) From which budget does this cost came from as it was unbudgeted? 4) Will any employee be made redundant due to this [unclear] cost - directly or indirectly 5) Will you continu...

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2019-03-15
Reference
FOI/19/00501
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to calculation for benefit-in-kind of Bute House: FOI release

I would like to request copies of all correspondence relating to the calculation for the benefit-in-kind of Bute House for the years 2007 to 2017. This should include copies of correspondence with HM Revenue and Customs from the initial identification of the error to the agreement of the Employer Settlement of £16,765.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-03-11
Reference
FOI/19/00352
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

SG officials at PAPLSC and Justice Sub-Committee meetings: FOI release

"Information from documents, meetings, communications, & discussions, relating to preparation for, and attendance of SG staff SPA Chair, CEO and serving & former Board members at PAPLSC on 20 April and 11 May 2017 and the Justice Sub-Committee on 18 May".

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 8 attachments
Published
2017-07-11
Reference
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector