Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

22,922releases indexed
40,952attachments found
29.5avg calendar days
8,507partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-11-04newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,507 unclear 7,460 not held 3,292 released 1,599 already published 716 cost limit 637 clarification 377 withheld 251 transferred 83

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5225 s.20 4485 s.34(1) 3789 s.39(2) 3640 s.30 3038 s.17(1) 2981 s.25(1) 2557 s.10(4) 2089 s.11(2) 1639 s.29(1) 1249 s.2 1245 s.3 980

Timeline

2026-11 48 2026-10 227 2026-09 8 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,336 releases · 27.8 avg days Marine Directorate 991 releases · 29.7 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 972 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 741 releases · 39.6 avg days Constitution Directorate 710 releases · 35.8 avg days Population Health Directorate 678 releases · 28.6 avg days People Directorate 667 releases · 25.5 avg days
Clear
1,336 matching releases

Outsourced frontline communications staff/press officers: FOI release

1. How many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers have been employed that have been outsourced, In other words, not in-house but external PR/communications supplied by a private company between 2009/10 and 2019/20. If an average number isn't available, pick March as a snapshot. 1a. How much was spent on ou...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2021-03-24
Reference
FOI/202100143590
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector, Work and skills

Data relating to press officers: FOI release

Can you please set out how many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers there were in March (snapshot) 2020? How many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers were there in January (snapshot) 2021? What was the cost of employing those staff in 2019/20? What has been the cost of employing these staff ...

FOI unclear 50 score 43 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/202100143566
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

First Minister interview with James Hamilton QC: FOI release

In a recent FOI response, with the reference number: 202100150391 an annex was attached which contained an email from the First Minister’s office that stated the afternoon of 1 February 2021 would be held for a video interview between the First Minister and James Hamilton regarding the Ministerial Code investigation. P...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100159382
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Scottish National Party (SNP) independence taskforce: FOI release

From 10 January 2021 to present: Copies of correspondence (emails, texts, whatsapp messages, briefings, minutes of calls, minutes of meetings and/or otherwise) from and/or to Special Advisors regarding the SNP’s plan to set up an ‘Independence Taskforce’ announced on 17 January 2021 by Keith Brown.

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-15
Reference
FOI/202100140612
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector, Topics

Correspondence concerning First Minister meetings in August 2020: FOI release

1) For the month of August, a list of any meetings involving the First Minister not listed on the information published here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/ministerial-engagements-travel-andgifts-august-2020/ which was considered to include the discussion of government business. 2) For all of the meetings in Augus...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-12
Reference
FOI/202100134861
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with Minister for Justice containing the word Trump 2021: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence sent and received by Humza Yousaf between January 1, 2021 and January 12, 2021 containing the following keyword: "Trump".

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202100135747
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Deputy First Minister's appearance on Politics Scotland: FOI release

From 1 January 2020 to present: Copies of all correspondence (emails, texts, whatsapp messages, memos, briefings and/or otherwise) from and/or to Special Advisors regarding John Swinney’s appearance on Politics Scotland on Sunday 10 January 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202100136050
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Internal emails on specific dates: FOI release

1. All emails sent by Liz Lloyd, Chief of Staff to the First Minister, on 28 and 29 January 2021. 2. All emails sent by any diary secretary or assistant who works for Liz Lloyd, on 28 and 29 January 2021. 3. All emails sent by Leslie Evans, Permanent Secretary of the Scottish Government, to Liz Lloyd on 28 and 29 Janua...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-08
Reference
FOI/202100148280
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Scottish Government marketing and advertising costs: FOI release

"How much has the Scottish Government spent on NHS Scotland press and tv advertising during the lockdown restrictions?"

FOI unclear 50 score 14 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-03-01
Reference
FOI/202100146226
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Scottish Conservative Conference: FOI release

1. Any correspondence (emails, letters, text messages, WhatsApp messages, phone calls or otherwise) between Ministers (including the First Minister), Special Advisors and civil servants in the Scottish Government Press Office concerning the Scottish Conservative Conference, held between Friday 20 November and Saturday ...

FOI not held 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-25
Reference
FOI/202000129480
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

James Hamilton QC correspondence: FOI release

1. Any Scottish Government Cabinet Meetings where James Hamilton QC’s Ministerial Code investigation was discussed. If it was discussed, please provide any minutes or notes on these discussions. Please limit time period to 1 January 2019 and the present date. 2. Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-02-25
Reference
FOI/202100150391
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Total advertising expenditure: FOI release

Please advise how much has been spent this year to date (2020) on advertising by the Scottish Government and how much was spent in the previous year (2019) for comparison. Please include a breakdown of ALL costs including: 1. Cost of television advertising, with a further breakdown of the amount spent on each channel (...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.33(1)
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000123389
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Former Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing drug deaths statistics communications: FOI release

"All emails, letters, minutes of meetings, briefings, hand written notes, records of phone conversations and messages on encrypted phone apps between The Public Health Minister, The Cabinet Secretary for health, the First Minister and the Chair of the Drugs death task force or anyone in their private office or Minister...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-19
Reference
FOI/202100134969
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government television advertising budgets: FOI release

1. In the period between April 1st 2019 and March 2020 how much did the Scottish Government pay for all TV advertising and related media buying and planning services for all Government departments. 2. In the period from April 1st 2020 to present, how much had the Scottish Government set aside and paid including work on...

FOI unclear 55 score 58 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.2 s.3
Published
2021-02-18
Reference
FOI/202000110615
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Disposable and reusable cups purchased by the Scottish Government: FOI review

You requested “How many (a) disposable cups and (b) reusable cups were purchased by the Scottish Government in each month since January 2019, broken down by month?”

FOI not held 45 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-15
Reference
FOI/202000118975
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Register of Interests held by the Scottish Government: FOI release

You asked: "Please supply copies of the Register of Interests held by the Scottish Government for each of the current non-executive and deputy non-executive directors of the Scottish Government. For each of the above people, please also supply details of any expenses claimed in the last 12 months in connection with t...

FOI released 95 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-11
Reference
FOI/202000111726
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to Scottish Government Audit and Assurance Committee (SGAAC): FOI release

"The minutes (and associated materials, such as, but not limited to agendas, papers, reports or presentations) for any meetings held between senior Scottish Government staff and nonexecutive directors and deputy directors of the Scottish Government. I am interested in records relating to any meetings that have taken pl...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.33 s.38(1) s.33(1) s.33(2) s.38(1)B s.34(1)
Published
2021-02-11
Reference
FOI/202100134076
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Information relating to the One Million Words of Kindness campaign: FOI release

a) Please confirm the total spend so far on the ‘One Million Words of Kindness’ campaign? b) Please confirm the total budget for the ‘One Million Words of Kindness’ campaign? c) Please confirm the total costs associated with the design, printing and distribution of the 100,000 ‘One Million Words of Kindness’ postcard...

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-02-11
Reference
FOI/202000118682
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Press office correspondence mentioning Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland: FOI release

For Scottish Government press office internal correspondence mentioning the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-10
Reference
FOI/202000098775
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Total number of fleet vehicles owned by the Scottish Government: FOI release

You asked for the total number of fleet vehicles owned by the Scottish Government.

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence
Published
2021-02-03
Reference
FOI/202000119365
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector, Transport

Total amount of money Scottish Government spent on advertisement with SI Games: FOI release

You asked “How much money has the Scottish Government, or associated government agencies, spent on advertising with the company SI Games (or Sega) and, specifically, its computer games Football Manager 2019, Football Manager 2020, and Football Manager 2021”.

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-02-03
Reference
FOI/202000113076
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the Cabinet Secretary for Finance containing the words “£8.2 billion”: FOI release

Copies of any correspondence sent to or by Kate Forbes MSP and/or her special advisors that contain the form of words “£8.2 billion” between 5 November and 11 November.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-01
Reference
FOI/202000110156
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Face masks worn by the First Minister: FOI release

Who supplies Ms Sturgeon's face masks, how much do they cost and does she pay for them herself?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2021-01-29
Reference
FOI/202000131456
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Questions regarding @ScotGovFM and First Minister Twitter accounts: FOI release

A copy of any guidance and/or instructions issued to Scottish Government ministers for their use of both official government and personal social media accounts. If 1. does not answer this point, why the @ScotGovFM account is used so infrequently (during the month preceding this request, October 7 – November 7 it posted...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)
Published
2021-01-27
Reference
FOI/202000108984
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Topics

Emails to and from Michael Russell with the word “independence” in them 2020: FOI release

Copies of all emails to and from Michael Russell with the word “independence” in them (including in the message, an attachment and/or otherwise), from 1 October 2020 to present.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.30 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2021-01-21
Reference
FOI/202000106675
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector