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
192 matching releases

Building a new Scotland marketing video: FOI release

My FOI request concerns the video which was published on the @scotgov Twitter account on Friday 28 October 2022 at 5pm, here: twitter.com/scotgov/status/1586025147785527307 and it relates also to the Scottish Government department behind the creation of this video. The video references a written and video project call...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-12-16
Reference
202200328753
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Supreme Court decision on the independence referendum: FOI release

Has there been any change in the policy in relation to the allocation of resources and support to Ministers for the purposes of developing the case for Scottish independence in light of the decision in last week’s Supreme Court case? If so, what is that change? If not, please set out the legal and policy basis upon whi...

FOI released 100 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.30 s.5 s.7 s.51 s.1 s.14 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-16
Reference
202200332779
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

£20m independence fund: FOI release

What is the Scottish Government now doing with its £20m independence fund due to the Supreme Court ruling? If they are using it for independence how are you justifying it considering the Supreme Court ruled the government cannot legally legislate for a referendum? Any correspondence (including emails, WhatsApps) betwee...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200331939
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice on independence referendum: FOI release

The amount spent on legal advice regarding the Scottish Government’s prospectus for an independent Scotland between 07 September 2021 and the date of response to this inquiry? Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, brief...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
202200287065
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Citizenship independence prospectus: FOI release

1 Could you supply all research undertaken by the Scottish Government so far this year on the following issues with independence. The fiscal plan How will state pensions be paid for? What will an independent Scotland have to do to gain EU membership? How will the border between Scotland and England work if Scotland re...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
FOI/202300377833
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Civil servants working on Independence in the modern world paper: FOI release

Can I please request the following information: The number of civil servants who worked on the Renewing Democracy through Independence paper from the Scottish Government. The total number of printed copies of this paper were made in total. If you can’t give me the overall total number of printed copies of the paper,...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
202300358658
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Total spend on independence bill to the Supreme Court: FOI release

How much has the Scottish Government spent to date on external legal counsel in taking the independence bill to the Supreme Court? How much does the Scottish Government estimate it will spend on external counsel for the entire Supreme Court case by the end of the case?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-20
Reference
202200326934
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost to take independence bill to the Supreme court: FOI release

How much has it cost the Scottish Government to take the independence bill to the Supreme court so far? Please provide a breakdown of these costs. Please supply any estimation about how much the entire Supreme court case will cost the Scottish Government by the end of the case?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-20
Reference
202200327700
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Preparation of independence referendum: FOI release

I request to know how much it has cost so far for the preparation of Indy ref 2. Including the legal challenge in the Supreme Court in London.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.27(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-20
Reference
202200329265
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Building a New Scotland white papers: FOI release

In relation to the series of white papers being prepared by the Scottish Government under the title ‘Building a New Scotland’: The expected publication date of future releases, the number of papers expected still to be released and which topics they will focus on How many meetings have been held to discuss the content...

FOI cost limit 70 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.12 s.30 s.27(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-16
Reference
202200328230
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and World Economic Forum etc between 1 January 2020 and 22 December 2021: FOI release

All communications (electronic or otherwise) during the period 1 January 2020 and 22 December 2021 between The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, and the following: The World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates The Open Society Foundations George Soros

FOI partially withheld 90 score 72 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.25(1) s.20 6 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202100267432
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost of preparing Building a New Scotland publication: FOI release

1. How much money was spent on writing and developing the Building a New Scotland- A stronger economy with independence prospectus? Breakdown of these costs. 2. How much money was spent on writing and developing the second independence and first independence prospectuses in the series and breakdown of these costs? 3....

FOI unclear 55 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.2 s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200325194
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Supreme Court case on which judgement has been delivered on 23rd November: FOI release

I write in regard to the Supreme Court case on which judgement has been delivered today, about whether the Scottish Parliament can hold an independence referendum without Westminster’s approval. What were the legal costs of this case to the Scottish Government and/or the Scottish National Party?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331639
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost of Draft Referendum Bill to the Supreme Court: FOI release

Please could I request, under Freedom of Information laws, the costs relating to the Scottish Government’s reference of the Draft Referendum Bill to the Supreme Court. If you can provide the total cost for the reference, as well as any breakdown you are able to provide (such as lawyers fees, staff cost, etc).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331719
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Supreme Court costs (accommodation/travel/subsistence): FOI release

In relation to the costs associated with the Lord Advocate’s referral to the Supreme Court (https://www.gov.scot/publications/independence-referendum-supreme-court-referral-legal-costs/) could you please provide a full breakdown of the travel and subsistence costs. For all accommodation costs, please confirm who the a...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.39(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200335464
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

SNP's funding for their Independence campaign and how much taxpayers contribute: FOI release

All information in regard to the SNP's funding for their Independence campaign and how much taxpayers contribute.This includes court proceedings (against the UK govt for another referendum vote), all TV advertising, posters, flyers, mail, and radio campaigns.

FOI not held 45 score 14 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-09
Reference
202200330395
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Number of civil servants working on independence prospectus: FOI release

The number of civil servants currently working to develop the proposed independence prospectus. The pay grade of each staff member.

FOI unclear 55 score 12 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-09
Reference
202300358409
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost and staff numbers working on the Scottish Government's policy of Independence: FOI release

Please can you send me a break down of staffing cost and numbers of people related full-time staff hours working on the Scottish Governments - Independence Policy. Please can you break these down by years since the public vote on 18 September 2014. 19 September 2018 - 18 September 2019 19 September 2019 - 18 Septembe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.27(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-09
Reference
202300336771
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

'A Stronger Economy With Independence' civil servants and printed copies: FOI release

The number of civil servants who worked on the 'A Stronger Economy With Independence' paper from the Scottish Government. The total number of printed copies of this paper were made in total. If not the overall total number of printed copies of the paper, then the number of printed copies of this paper that were handed ...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202300358659
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Definitions according to the Scottish Ministerial Code: FOI release

Noting that: 'the ‘Scottish Ministerial Code’ states that Scottish Government resources can only be used by Scottish Ministers for official government business and must not be used for party political purposes,1.3 (i) Ministers must not use public resources for party political purposes'. A definition of the term ‘publ...

FOI not held 45 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.1 s.10 s.17(1) s.7
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202200332845
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff working on the proposed independence prospectus: FOI release

Can I please request the following information: The number of civil servants currently working to develop the proposed independence prospectus. The pay grade of each staff member. Are these civil servants paid by the taxpayer or through the SNP?

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
202200335629
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Civil servants working on the Building a New Scotland series of papers: FOI release

FOI request With respect to the team of civil servants working on the Building a New Scotland series of papers, please disclose: The number civil servants working on the papers as of 18th November 2022 The maximum number of civil servants who have been working on the papers at any one time, since the team was created ...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2023-10-30
Reference
202200331032
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Contact between the Constitutional Futures Division and Miriam Brett: FOI Release

With respect to contact between the Constitutional Futures Division and Miriam Brett, 1st May 2021 ‐ date, please provide: (1) The dates of all meetings held, in person or virtual. (2) Any documentation relating to the meetings, including agendas, presentation materials, minutes, notes, or briefings. (3) All corresp...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.17(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-30
Reference
FOI/202300367605
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between constitutional futures division and Scottish Trade Union Congress: FOI release

With respect to contact between the Constitutional Futures Division and the Scottish Trades Union Congress, 1st May 2021 - date, please provide: 1. The dates of all meetings held, in person or virtual. 2. Any documentation relating to the meetings, including agendas, presentation materials, minutes, notes, or briefings...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.3 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-27
Reference
FOI/202300367599
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Public monies spent on promoting Scottish Independence: FOI release

Please could I request the following answer to two questions under the freedom of information legislation. For each of the following years 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020 up to the present: Details of the total costs for advertising (radio, TV, flyers, emails, texts), including the cost of stationer...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 536 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.5 s.7 s.51
Published
2023-10-25
Reference
202000130464
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector