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
118 matching releases

£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

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

Staffing numbers for Draft Independence Referendum Bill: FOI release

"The Scottish Government published the Draft Independence Referendum Bill on 22 March 2021: The total cost of this to date. Not including the consultation. The number of civil servants that worked on this at the time and their pay grades."

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
FOI/202300376995
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Referendums Scotland Bill Team staffing: FOI release

"The most recent number of civil servants that are/were in the Scottish Government’s Referendums Scotland Bill Team. What are/were their pay grades? The general Scottish Government pay grades of the time that these civil servants were employed."

FOI already published 55 score 19 working days correspondence s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
FOI/202300377174
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Slides used for Fiscal policy meeting 30 May 22: FOI release

This is a follow up request to a previous FOI response. Your ref: 202200333877 Annex A in the above referenced FOI response mentions “slides used for a Fiscal policy meeting within the Fiscal policy team on 30 May 2022”. Please provide the above mentioned slides.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-22
Reference
202300338310
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

Cost to tax payer of Scottish independence UK Supreme Court case: FOI release

The amount of tax payer money that has been spent by the Scottish Government on the recent Court case in the UK Supreme Court to rule on the possibility of Scotland holding another Independence referendum.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 8 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-16
Reference
202200331746
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

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

Independence referendum two final spend: FOI release

Can you please forward me how much money has been spent on obtaining a legal decision to determine if Scottish government can hold an independence referendum without consent of UK government now that the Supreme Court has made a ruling.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331649
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 of independence referendum: FOI release

Could you please inform of all the costs associated with the recent Supreme Court decision on Independence Referendums?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 8 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331771
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Supreme Court costs: FOI release

Please tell me the cost in legal fees for taking the case to the Supreme Court which you knew in advance you could not win? Why is this government happy to play games at the expense of the taxpayer?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331892
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Budget for a Independence Referendum: FOI release

How much the budget is for the Independence Referendum? By how much it was reduced alongside other department budget cuts?

FOI released 75 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202200329363
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

Correspondence between constitutional futures division and Professor Drew Scott: FOI release

With respect to contact between the Constitutional Futures Division and Professor Drew Scott, 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 corre...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.3 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-27
Reference
FOI/202300367629
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence between constitutional futures division and Professor Alan Miller: FOI release

With respect to contact between Professor Alan Miller , 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 correspondence between the Constitutional F...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.3 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-27
Reference
FOI/202300367626
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence between Constitutional Futures Division and Sir John Grant: FoI release

With respect to contact between the Constitutional Futures Division and Sir John Grant, 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 corre...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-24
Reference
FOI/202300367640
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Contact between constitutional future division and Professor Nicola McEwan: FOI release

With respect to contact between Professor Nicola McEwen , 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 correspondence between the Constitutional...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.3 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-19
Reference
FOI/202300367638
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Professor Andrew Cumbers: FOI Release

With respect to contact between Professor Andrew Cumbers , 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 correspondence between the Constitu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-05
Reference
FOI -202300367632
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to UK Internal Market Act Exclusions: FOI release

1. Please could you supply me with all correspondence held by the Scottish Government from the UK Government that sets out implementation, guidance and exemption application procedures required by the Act, as set out here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/27/section/10/enacted 2. Please could you confirm the ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.10 s.18 s.2 s.25(1) s.28(1) s.30 s.33(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-06-21
Reference
FOI/202300357760
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Breakdown of FOI reviews submitted to Scottish Government: FOI release

1) For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government are reviewed. 2) For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI reviews to the Scottish Government are partially or fully upheld.

FOI/EIR already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence s.20 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-25
Reference
FOI/202300352494
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Breakdown of FOI late responses in past five years: 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 not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-25
Reference
FOI/202300352496
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector