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

Preparatory work on referendum on Scottish independence: FOI release

During a television interview yesterday, the First Minister said (of a referendum on Scottish independence) “The preparatory work for that is underway right now. We haven’t decided on the date that we would seek to introduce the Bill. We’ll decide that in the coming weeks." "But my intention is to take the steps that w...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-02-24
Reference
FOI/202200275025
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government compliance with specific acts: FOI release

1. Does the Scottish government comply with the bill of exchange act 1882?? 2. Does the Scottish government have the slavery act 2015 in its policy?? 3. Is the council tax a lawful contract or a legislative statute?? 4. As a sovereign scot see treaty of Arbroath confirmed by first minister Nicola.Sturgeon.msp@parliamen...

FOI not held 45 score 85 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.17(1) s.2
Published
2022-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100242704
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Independence prospectus post budget announcement: 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 partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-27
Reference
FOI/202100264359
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Programme for Government, Public sector

Preparation of detailed prospectus for independence: FOI release

In September, the First Minister said that civil servants were being tasked to prepare a detailed prospectus for independence. I would like to request under FOI some details about this work: Who is leading this work? What is their job title and civil service grade? How many civil servants are working on this project a...

FOI unclear 55 score 5 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-01-12
Reference
FOI/202100261720
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Programme for Government, Public sector

Freedom of Information (FOI) statistics from 2018 onwards: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs dealt with by the Scottish Government in a) 2021 b) 2020 c) 2019 d) 2018. 2. The number of FOIs not responded to within the 28 day time frame in a) 2021 b) 2020 c) 2019 d) 2018. 3. The number of FOIs not responded to within 20 days of receiving confirmation following a clarification request a) 202...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.10(1) s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2022-01-12
Reference
FOI/202100256052
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Details regarding white paper on future independence referendum: FOI release

Has a budget been allocated for the preparation of a white paper on a future Independence Referendum and cost of a referendum? What are the estimated costs of bringing such a referendum to a conclusion? How many civil servants will be allocated to this task?

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-10-21
Reference
FOI/202100237749
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communication between Scottish Government Minister and officials: FOI release

1. Any and all communications between Scottish Government ministers and officials and a) Progress Scotland Limited ; b) Mark Diffley Consultancy and Research Limited; c) Invicta Public Affairs Limited: d) Charlotte Street Partners Limited and e) Halogen Communications Limited. 2. Any payments from the Scottish Governme...

FOI not held 70 score 191 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.17(1) s.12 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.33(1) 8 attachments
Published
2021-07-26
Reference
FOI/202000104296
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Minutes of meetings with other parties following 2021 Scottish Parliament election: FOI release

1) Minutes of meetings between Scottish Government officials (including the First Minister) and Scottish Greens co-leaders Patrick Harvie and/or Lorna Slater following the 2021 election. 2) Minutes of a meeting between the First Minister and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar following the 2021 election.

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-28
Reference
FOI/202100207108
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Covid-19 briefings relating to restrictions: FOI release

1. Minutes from any formal four nations discussions with Michael Gove and other representatives from UK, Welsh Governments and Northern Ireland executive between October 1 and January 15 on the topic of Covid-19 and four nations alignment on restrictions/measures. 2. Notes taken by Scottish Government staff or minister...

FOI not held 70 score 80 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.3 s.1 s.17(1) s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.3(2) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-15
Reference
FOI/202100164644 review of 202100140372
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

European Union (EU) flags on Scottish Government buildings: FOI release

"Any information you hold on the recent reports that the Scottish Government will fly EU flags on Scottish Government buildings. In particular, i) any minutes of meetings with Ministers or officials where the above was discussed. ii) any emails relating to the issue above. iii) all advice to Ministers on the above i...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-19
Reference
FOI/202100160401
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Redeployment of Freedom of Information Unit staff due to COVID-19: FOI release

1. For each month commencing January 2020 to date, please provide the total number of FTE staff working in the FOI unit. 2. All correspondence discussing and enacting the decision to redeploy FOI Unit staff to Covid critical roles. The correspondence should be specifically between the following two groups (A) Ministers...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.17(1)
Published
2021-03-30
Reference
FOI/202100155415
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Budget allocation for the government business and constitutional policy: FOI release

For 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21. A breakdown of what the budget allocation for the government business and constitutional policy was used for. Please break this down by type of spend and equivalent allocation in £s.

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-03-29
Reference
FOI/202100151055
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

James Hamilton QC investigation evidence submitted: FOI release

- All evidence submitted to James Hamilton QC as part of his investigation into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code. - Details of all meetings held by James Hamilton QC as part of his investigation into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code. Please include minutes, call logs, list of a...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-16
Reference
FOI/202100139187
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government stance on independence referendum: FOI release

Have Scottish Government employees started work on a White Paper on independence, or an equivalent document to the 2013 document, Scotland’s Future? When did this work start? How many officials have been working on this? What is the cost in terms of employee time, etc, of the preparation of that document? Have the reco...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-10
Reference
FOI/202000117911
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Human beings as patented GMOs: FOI release

How is it recorded on Scottish Government systems that a Human Being cannot be patented as a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) and that this is enshrined in Scots Law? As with the earlier Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 request (now at the Internal Review stage) on the Nuremberg Code, if the Scottish Gove...

FOI not held 45 score 9 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-05
Reference
202000120465
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public Sector

The Scottish Government average response time to Freedom of Information requests: FOI release

Broken down per month for the past 3 years: The average time for the Scottish Government to respond to a freedom of information request. (This is the period of time from when the request was received until the response was issued from the Scottish Government)

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.20 s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-02
Reference
FOI/202000111670
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Longest response time to a Freedom of Information request: FOI release

Broken down by year for the past 10 years (I am happy to receive the information either by financial or calendar year): The single longest wait for a Scottish Government response to a freedom of information request. (This is the period of time from when the request was received until the response was issued from the Sc...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.20 s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-02
Reference
FOI/202000111675
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Covered cost of staff Christmas parties and other festive arrangements: FOI release

You asked for: The allocated budget for each Scottish Government department to cover the cost of their staff Christmas parties (in whatever form they might take) and other festive arrangements for 2020. Please could you provide the per-head Christmas budget for each department, as well as the total for each (i.e. A d...

FOI unclear 55 score 2 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2020-12-04
Reference
FOI/202000110616
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FOI references of all recorded requests: FOI release

Under FOI please give me an excel (NOT as a pdf) list of all FOI requests you have had since it became law. for each FOI request, please list: date of request date of reply reference number/ID subject/title of the request [each request on the list should include the subject/title of the request please] status [whether...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-13
Reference
FOI/202000086590
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Copies of minutes for the Scottish Government Cabinet Meeting on 30 June 2020: FOI release

1. Copies of minutes for the Scottish Government Cabinet Meeting on 30 June 2020. 2. Any papers and/or briefings that were circulated to the Scottish Government Cabinet from civil servants, special advisors and/or otherwise in preparation for the Cabinet meeting on 30 June 2020. 3. Copies of correspondence from/to civi...

FOI already published 80 score 18 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.30 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.36(1) s.17(1) 6 attachments
Published
2020-11-12
Reference
FOI/202000090391
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence concerning pursuit of Independence and the Referendums Bill: FOI release

From 1 September 2020 to present: Copies of emails sent to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon from members of the public regarding their concern/anger/unhappiness and/or similar at: The announcement of the Referendums Bill in her Programme for Government 2020-21. The Scottish Government’s decision to actively pursue anoth...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-06
Reference
FOI/202000091118
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Programme for Government, +1 more … Public sector

Suspension of compliance with the Freedom of Information Scotland Act: FOI release

Can you advise what advice/instruction/guidance was provided by the Scottish Government to Scottish Local Authorities on their obligation to comply with the timescales in terms of responding to a request for information made in terms of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act during the COVID-19 pandemic. Were Scottish...

FOI unclear 80 score 3 working days correspondence s.25(1) s.17(1) 6 attachments
Published
2020-09-24
Reference
FOI/202000079439
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Statistics relating to FOI requests raised: FOI release

For all FOI requests raised in the last 48 months can you please provide data on all FOI requests including: FOI reference Date Request Made Date Request Answered Number of each type of exemption which have been applied (including exemption Section (para) (clause))

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 12 working days correspondence s.20 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-09-01
Reference
FOI/202000064095
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communication questions regarding Scottish Government: FOI release

1. Is the person answering this pro or anti Scottish Independence? (I have purposely not asked any PII that risks avoidance of this question) 2. How many people are tasked with the responsibility of answering FOI requests sent to ceu@gov.scot ? 3. Who can I write to and communicate with regarding content on Scot.gov ...

FOI not held 45 score 16 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2020-03-06
Reference
FOI/202000016119
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills