Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,099releases indexed
37,554attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
7,804partially withheld
2017-11-17oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 7,804 unclear 6,977 not held 2,955 released 1,470 already published 656 cost limit 586 clarification 342 withheld 235 transferred 74

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4772 s.20 4130 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3342 s.30 2791 s.17(1) 2667 s.25(1) 2327 s.10(4) 1920 s.11(2) 1518 s.29(1) 1135 s.2 1129 s.3 891

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 1,211 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 933 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 895 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 821 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 684 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 652 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 637 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 611 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
114 matching releases

Details of meetings with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change: FOI release

Any meetings held between Scottish Government Ministers and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change since 6 May 2021. Please provide a note of who attended and what was discussed, if held. Any meetings held between Scottish Government Civil Servants and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change since 6 May 2021. Pl...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.12 s.25 s.25(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-08-11
Reference
FOI/202500472771
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Voter identification requirements at the General Election documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about voter ID requirements at the General Election, between November 1 2024 and May 1 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-08-06
Reference
FOI/202500470457
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons documentation, Building a New Scotland papers costs and the Scottish Government's ‘route back into EU’ analysis: FOI release

3. Could you supply any documentation held by the Scottish Government about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), from the last six months? 4. How much money has been spent on EU languages summaries for the Building a New Scotland set of papers, with a breakdown of these costs? 5. Could you supply ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-11
Reference
FOI/202400429546
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Money spent on third-party or legal costs connected to independence: FOI release

Since 2011, the amount of money spent by the Scottish Government on third-party or legal costs connected to in any way (advisory, consultancy or legal advice or other) to any question of policy around independence. This should include but not be limited to - consultancy connected to the Building a New Scotland papers, ...

FOI released 75 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2024-10-04
Reference
FOI/202400425678
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Stone of Destiny correspondence: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government about or mentioning the Stone of Destiny, between February 1 2024 and May 1 2024? Can this include email correspondence, briefings, minutes from meetings etc?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.3(2) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-04
Reference
FOI/202400425757
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Chairman of the Scottish Land Commission role announcement: FOI release

1. On Humza Yousaf's appearance in front of committee chairs on March 27, he vowed to look into the leak of Mike Russell winning the role of chairman of the Scottish Land Commission - He said: "I will absolutely examine and explore this issue, we mean no disrespect whatsoever to the parliament.' https://www.scottishdai...

FOI already published 80 score 17 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending s.25 s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-18
Reference
FOI/202400421265
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Nuclear Weapons and the Scottish Security and Intelligence Agency: FOI release

1. Could you supply all briefings, analysis and correspondence, including internal, held by the Scottish Government regarding nuclear power, from 2024? 2. In the Building a New Scotland paper about defence, it is claimed "This Scottish Government would seek NATO membership for an independent Scotland via NATO 's 'open...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.12 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400413946
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Independence, the common travel area and Simon Case: FOI release

1. Could you supply all correspondence and briefings held by the Scottish Government about staying in the common travel area after independence, have you asked the UK Government about this and if so, could you supply any documentation about this? Between June 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. Have the Scottish Gover...

FOI cost limit 70 score 19 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending s.38 s.2 s.17(1) s.25(1) s.28(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400402326
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Culture in an Independent Scotland white paper correspondence: FOI release

Can you please disclose emails, and WhatsApps, sent between Scottish Government ministers and Scottish Government officials regarding the independence white paper entitled, 'Culture in an independent Scotland' sent/received on the following dates - February 2, 2024 February 3, 2024 February 4, 2024 February 5, 2024 Fe...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400406120
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

House of Commons boundaries, Scotch Whisky export duty and recall petition: FOI release

Q1. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government, including internal correspondence, all briefings and notes/minutes from meetings, about the Boundary Commission's 2023 review of House of Commons boundaries, between September 1 2023 and the date of this FOI [2 April 2024]? Q2. Could...

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.38(1) s.17 s.14 s.25 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400407175
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to economic speeches, Barclays bank , financial strategy and Independence: FOI release

1. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government, all briefings held, all minutes/notes from meetings, surrounding the planned major economic speeches outlined by the Scottish Government on January 6 which Humza Yousaf was going to do, between April 1 and the date of this FOI? -What ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.30 s.33(1) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202400414539
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Economy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Independent Scotland: FOI release

1.All meetings held or attended by Jamie Hepburn between July 1 2023 and the date of this FOI, including minutes/notes from them, and a list of attendees. 2. How many social media videos about independence have been created by the Scottish Government so far this year? List of these videos and the costs of creating the...

FOI not held 70 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.2 s.5T s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.25(1) s.36(1) s.12 4 attachments
Published
2024-08-14
Reference
FOI/202300377797
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Potential electoral reform for Holyrood elections: FOI release

Any policy documents, statements, manifestos, meeting minutes, briefings or correspondence indicating the position of the Scottish Government and/or the SNP or Scottish Greens on potential electoral reform for Holyrood elections. Details of any internal review, analysis or research carried out by the Scottish Governme...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.12 s.1(2) s.5 s.29(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 6 attachments
Published
2024-08-14
Reference
FOI/202300381562
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Translations and consultations costs for the proposed Scots Languages Bill: FOI release

I am requesting the following information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and any other relevant pieces of legislation: What organisation(s) were used for any translations of the consultation for the proposed Scots Languages Bill. What organisation(s) were used for any translations of the "Buildin...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1) s.25(1)
Published
2024-04-30
Reference
FOI/202400406725
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Cost of "Building a New Scotland" Project: FOI release

I would like to submit an FOI request with regards to the series of 9 papers published by the Scottish Government titled "Building a New Scotland". Specifically, I would like to know the following: 1. How much did the project (e.g. commission, research and publication of the 9 papers) cost in total, and how long did i...

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2024-02-19
Reference
FOI/202400391532
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Request for Referendum costs: FOI release

In your email, you requested the following information: Given that the Lord Advocate had at the outset expressed her misgivings that the action would succeed, whose decision was it to proceed? How much did (a) the preparation of the case, and (b) its presentation at the Supreme Court, cost? Will all this expenditure r...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 8 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-15
Reference
202200331890
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Referendum Plans: FOI review

Does the Scottish Government have a planning date in 2023 on which it intends that a referendum will be held? If there is a planning date, what is that date? (Please note: I am asking for a specific date, not a deadline; but if at this stage this has only been planned as a month rather than a specific day, please let m...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.25(1) s.30
Published
2024-01-23
Reference
FOI/202200309934 Review of 202200302128
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Total amount paid to hold a second referendum: FOI release

I write to request how much (in the following categories) since Oct 2014 have the Scottish government paid to hold a second referendum in Scotland? Question 1 2015-16 the total amount in man hours for their legal team? 2016-17 the total amount in man hours for their legal team? 2017-18 the total amount in man hours f...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.27 s.27(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-15
Reference
202200333373
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Public money spent on the cases for and against a second independence referendum: FOI release

Since the 2019 General Election: How much public money has the Scottish Government spent promoting IndyRef 2? How much public money has the UK Government spent countering the case for IndyRef 2?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.27(1) s.17(1) s.25(1) s.27 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-12
Reference
202200331337
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Total costs to the Scottish Government of the recent referendum ruling in the UK Supreme Court: FOI release

Can you please send me a breakdown of the total costs to the Scottish Government of the recent referendum ruling in the UK Supreme Court. I would like this to be as inclusive as possible. I am interested in knowing all costs including but not restricted to: a calculation of the cost of all Scottish Government office...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.25(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-12
Reference
202200331617
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Information Commissioner's ruling No.004/2023: FOI release

In relation to the Scottish Information Commissioner's ruling No.004/2023 and the decision by Scottish Ministers to appeal this ruling: Which Scottish Minister(s) decided to appeal the above ruling and/or gave the the go-ahead to appeal? Any and all internal and external correspondence including emails, letters, Whats...

FOI already published 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.36(1)
Published
2024-01-11
Reference
202300347350
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Information Commissioner's Decision Notice: FOI release

Any internal or external correspondence, including any attachments, WhatsApp messages, text messages, instant messaging, memos, OneNotes, minutes, agendas, appendixes or other correspondence, relating to the Scottish Information Commissioner's Decision Notice, reference number 048-2022, and related FOIs.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 6 attachments
Published
2023-12-21
Reference
202200297190
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Independence Referendum Bill Supreme Court Correspondence: FOI release

Any correspondence between special advisers, senior civil servants within either the constitution or legal directorate, and ministers within the Scottish Government and SNP party officials around the Supreme Court reference of the independence referendum bill. This should cover the calendar year of 2022 and exclude MSP...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200332044
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Laptops and bicycles pledge & funds for legal challenge to Court of Appeal: FOI release

The provision of laptops and bicycles would be offered once you were re-elected. Many months later this has not transpired. Can you confirm as to why this manifesto promise has not been followed through? Also when is this likely to happen? The Court of Appeal declined the SNPs appeal. How much did this legal challenge ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200332970
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector