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

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

Clear
161 matching releases

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Budget, Former First Minister's Cabinet reshuffle and trip to Qatar: FOI release

1. All correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Institute for Fiscal Studies about the budget, including internal correspondence, notes, briefings and minutes from any meetings, between December 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including...

FOI already published 80 score 44 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) s.2(1) s.39 s.41 s.47 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400399489
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Economy, Public sector

Freedom of Information (FoI) requests for consideration by Special Advisers: FOI release

1) Since the start of 2024, please provide a list of the FOI's which have been subject to consideration by the FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot email address and/or Special Adviser emails. 2) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot and the FOI Unit since January 1, 2024. 3) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400406282
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Decision Notice 045/2024: FOI release

1) Can you provide me with a list of ministers who received the one-on-one sessions on record keeping as mentioned in the decision notice, and confirm if the First Minister was one of them? 2) Can you confirm when these took place, and who delivered them? 3) Can you confirm if Special Advisers were also trained on th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400406748
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Freedom of Information request response times: FOI release

The top 3 slowest FOI responses in each of the last 5 years, including the total length of time it took to respond to each FOI and a short description of the subject of the FOI.

FOI/EIR released 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20
Published
2024-08-27
Reference
FOI/202400422728
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

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

“Please provide details of all communication Scottish Government officials, special advisers and ministers had with Police Scotland about the data roaming costs incurred by Health Secretary Michael Matheson on a December 2022/January 2023 trip to Morocco, including discussions around police complaints, in the period fr...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202300385206
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Salaries and number of ministers, special advisors and civil servants in 2003, 2013 and 2023: FOI release

For each of the years 2003, 2013 and 2023 can you provide please the following information: 1. The total number of Ministers in post at The Scottish Government/The Scottish Executive. 2. The total salaries for these Ministers for the year in question. 3. The total number of civil servants dedicated to the Private Of...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.4 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.27(1)
Published
2024-08-01
Reference
FOI/202400421758
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public Sector

Scottish Government staff associated with Ministers: FOI release

"The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles, not names of individuals) for all of the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2024-03-28
Reference
FOI/202400392767
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Use of Bute House for interviews by the First Ministers wife: FOI release

Can you confirm what the rules are in regards to the first ministers wife, who is not a member of the government, using the taxpayer funded bute house address to film media interviews with the BBC today? Can you also share the rules on the first minister taking his family to government work events (children and wife) w...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-27
Reference
FOI/202300380502
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister’s Christmas Media Reception: FOI release

Regarding the First Minister’s Christmas Media Reception, held at Bute House last night 14/12/23: A number of civil servants could be overheard discussing being "asked to go and buy booze at the last minute". Was alcohol or "booze" always going to be served at the Christmas Media Reception? If not, when was it decid...

FOI not held 45 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.17(1) s.7 s.10 s.4 s.27(1) s.17
Published
2024-02-23
Reference
FOI/202300389912
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Jason Leitch WhatsApp messages: FOI release

Correspondence on the topic of how to respond to a media enquiry from The Times newspaper about Jason Leitch deleting his WhatsApp messages each day and any resulting follow-up enquiry by other journalists or publications. This should include, but not be limited to, discussions between civil servants, special advisers,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.30 s.38 s.36 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-20
Reference
FOI/202400394859
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government special adviser Jeanette Campbell and Angela Constance: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence between Scottish Government special adviser Jeanette Campbell and Angela Constance from 31 March 2023 until present.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-05
Reference
202300359276
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff structure/organogram for the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands office: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles, not names of individuals) for the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands office, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Gove...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-29
Reference
202300358360
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Special Adviser expenses in past 5 years: FOI release

How many Special Advisers were employed in each of the past five years and what was the total salary cost in each year? What was the total amount claimed in expenses by Special Advisers in each of the past five years broken down by (a) travel, (b) hotel accommodation and (c) food & drink. What was the cost, mode of tra...

FOI released 100 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers contracts spending s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-12
Reference
FOI/202300373199
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to Nicola Sturgeon's trip to Italy: FOI release

Any correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon, her office, special advisers and MSPs in the week leading up to her trip to Bellagio in Italy about the trip. - if this costs too much, lessen the timeframe to five days before the trip and the day of the trip or take the MSPs out. Briefing notes prepared from any meetings th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-11
Reference
202200311801
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Education and Skills organogram and pay grades: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles not names of individuals) for the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills office, including both civil service and political staff. The wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government. The pay grades for e...

FOI unclear 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200335608
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding the Scottish Labour conference and the Labour Party in general: FOI release

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

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200291468
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector