Scottish Government FOI Index

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

Independence spending 2014 – June 2022: FOI release

Since the SNP have been in power in the Scottish Government how much money have they spent on their pursuit of independence? Departments/staff, the 2014 referendum, opinion polls, and the new campaign started this month. Has this money come from Scottish Government budget or out of the SNP own finances?

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2022-10-17
Reference: FOI/202200306332
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cost of independence court case so far: FOI release

1. How much has it cost the Scottish Government to take the independence bill to the Supreme court so far? 2. Breakdown of these costs? 3. Any estimation from yourselves about how much the entire Supreme court case will cost the Scottish government by the end of the case?”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-10-05
Reference: FOI/202200312762
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Taxpayers money for independence work: FOI release

How much of the £20million of taxpayers money has been spent to date plus what is the quote for all the legal work you are commissioning for the supreme court hearing?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.17(1) s.27 2 attachments

Published: 2022-10-05
Reference: FOI/202200312521
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information on Independence Papers: FOI release

1. How much did the independence in the modern world papers cost and breakdown of this cost? 2. What design agency did you use to produce this paper and the second paper in the series renewing democracy through independence? 3. How many civil servants worked on the second independence paper renewing democracy through...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.27(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2022-10-04
Reference: FOI/202200312760
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparation of independence prospectus papers: FOI release

I would like to request the following information please in relation to the Independence in the Modern wide world white paper along with any other documents produced to coincide with it. I understand 1 Senior official and 19 others worked on the project. Can you provide the following please. 1) The total accumulative a...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.6

Published: 2022-09-27
Reference: FOI/202200311764
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

2022 Census form statistics: FOI release

"Please can you provide me with the following: 1. The number of completed census forms for 2022. 2. The number of outstanding census forms as at this date. 3. The final date for census forms to be returned. 4. The number of fines (if any) issued for non-completion of a census form. 5. The number of these fines which ha...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2022-09-27
Reference: FOI/202200314131
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

The ten comparator countries in building a New Scotland: FOI release

On the 14th June 2022 the Scottish Government published the first in a series of papers called ‘Building a New Scotland’. The paper ‘Independence in the Modern World. Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why not Scotland?’ is described as setting out ‘a detailed analysis of the UKs performance across a range of economic and soc...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.4 s.5 s.9 s.10 s.11 s.12 s.17(1)

Published: 2022-09-05
Reference: FOI/202200311070
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Constitutional Futures Division: FOI release

A breakdown of the monthly headcount in the Constitutional Futures Division for each month from July 2020 to July 2022. For each month, please also confirm how many staff were employed in the division at each pay grade level and also what the total wage cost of the division was for each month.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-08-25
Reference: FOI/202200311928
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Renewing Democracy through Independence: FOI release

1) The number of civil servants who worked on the Renewing Democracy through Independence paper from the Scottish Government published today. 2) The number of printed copies of this paper handed out at the launch event on 14 July 2022 and all costs to the Scottish Government associated with this launch event.

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2022-08-16
Reference: FOI/202200311120
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Independence referendum and prospectus resources: FOI release

Given the rapidly increasing likely resources now being employed on another independent referendum, please supply me with exact details of that resource and the expected total budget, the Scottish Government is providing for the First Minister's referendum and independence planning, communications and public engagement...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2022-08-02
Reference: FOI/202200308344
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Questions regarding work on "Building a New Scotland" document: FOI release

1. How many civil servants worked on these documents and for how long and what the total cost of this was? 2. How many special advisers worked on these papers and what exactly their role was. I would also like to know if any of the special advisers have authority over civil servants. 3. Has the advice of the Permanen...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2022-07-27
Reference: FOI/202200306418
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Referendum Budget: FOI release

The following information: (1) A breakdown of how that £20 million was calculated - including all documents which shows how the figure was calculated and all details of how the money would be predicted to be spent. In other words, all documents which show the rationale of the final figure. (2) All correspondence betw...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.25(1) s.29(1) s.17 s.17(1)

Published: 2022-07-25
Reference: FOI/202200303499
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

FOI reviews: FOI release

For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government are reviewed. For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI reviews to the Scottish Government are partially or fully upheld.

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-22
Reference: FOI/202200306902
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Policy meetings regarding potential Independence Referendum: FOI release

I am looking for a list of meetings that the First Minister has attended with civil servants and external stakeholders regarding a) a potential Independence Referendum and b) policy issues relating to the case for Independence between August 2021 and the present day. Can you please provide a list of dates, the attendee...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-20
Reference: FOI/202200306028
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications regarding crown consent provisions in Scottish legislation discussions: FOI Review

1) Copies of any internal Scottish government memos, briefing papers or emails concerning the question of changing the handling of crown consent in legislation and/or the way the crown consent provisions are communicated to MSPs, including but not exclusively to and from the Scottish government ministers and their spec...

FOI already published 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.29(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-20
Reference: FOI/202200278004 Review of 202200270508
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Independence in the Modern World costs: FOI release

1. How much did the independence in the modern world papers cost? 2. Breakdown of these costs? 3. How many civil servants worked on it and what is their salary?

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)

Published: 2022-07-18
Reference: FOI/202200305738
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the "Independence in the Modern World: Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland?" document: FOI release

The cost of producing the following document: “Independence in the Modern World: Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland?”. Please can you provide me with the total cost of producing this document. Please provide a breakdown and include the following information The number of FTE staff working on the report The c...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2022-07-18
Reference: FOI/202200305663
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

FOI late responses: FOI release

For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government receive a late response (based on timescales set out on FOISA). For each month of the last 5 years, the number of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government that receive a late response.

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence s.20 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-18
Reference: FOI/202200306899
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Independence in the Modern World white paper: FOI release

Independence in the Modern World White paper I note the above White Paper has this week been published. Earlier this year, I recall reading that a team of 11 civil servants were working on the independence blueprint. I presume this document is the first result of their work. Can you tell me please (a) the current size ...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)

Published: 2022-07-18
Reference: FOI/202200306420
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Ministers and the Law Officers salary: FOI release

Information relating to Ministerial pay.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-06-22
Reference: FOI/202200276229
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Scottish Budget

Preparations and costs of Independence Prospectus: FOI release

In September, the First Minister announced that Scottish Government civil servants would start work on a detailed prospectus for independence (as reported here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland politics-58478187). On 4th November 2021, I submitted a Freedom of Information request which asked for informat...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-05-05
Reference: FOI/202200283353
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

State pension and benefit payment responsibilities: FOI release

1. The source content and date of the secret cabinet briefing paper from John Swinney Finance Secretary (at the time) that was subsequently leaked. 2. Since 1 January 2012, any briefing papers, communications etc that clarified or otherwise that Scotland, if independent, would be responsible for the payment of pensions...

FOI not held 70 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.3 s.29(1) s.30 s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2022-04-07
Reference: FOI/202200281407
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparations for a future independence referendum: FOI release

1. How many hours are being used each week/month by Scottish Government civil servants working on preparations for an independence referendum and on preparation for independence? 2. What is the cost in salaries per week/month of this work? 3. Which departments of the Scottish Government has each individual civil servan...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1)

Published: 2022-03-24
Reference: FOI/202200281545
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparations for referendum on Scottish independence: FOI release

What level of resource is the Scottish Government providing for referendum and independence planning, communications and public engagement during 2022 and 2023? Please include specific information on: Number of Scottish Government officials (full-time equivalent), job grades and cost; Freelance, Legal and Consultancy ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2022-03-09
Reference: FOI/202200278056
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparations for a second independence referendum: FOI release

Please may you provide me with: The name of the unit within the Scottish Government working on preparations for a second independence referendum. The budget allocated to the unit for the rest of the parliamentary term, and if possible, could this be broken down by year. The date on which the unit was established. How ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-03-01
Reference: FOI/202200275282
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector