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

Correspondence mentioning “euro” and “currency”: FOI release

All email correspondence sent or received by the Scottish Government Special Adviser Ewan Crawford, 1st May 2021 - date, mentioning “euro” and “currency”. Your clarification sent on 26 February 2023 confirmed that you are looking for email correspondence sent or received from 1 May 2021 to the date of your request, rat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-03-30
Reference
FOI/202300344511
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Referendums Scotland Bill Team staffing details: FOI release

“How many civil servants does the Scottish Government use for work towards a second independence referendum please? Can this number be provided from 2014 to 2022 too please? In which Scottish Government buildings are the civil servants working towards an independence referendum based please? Ie, Bute House, for example...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence contracts s.17 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2022-12-15
Reference
FOI/202200319524
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

£20 million budget for independence: FOI release

1. How many free school dinners for poor families would the £20 m buy 2. How many food banks would the robbed sum provide for 3. How many domestic fuel costs would that buy for low income families in Scotland 4. What was the cost of the Government chauffeur car service for you and your 38 Ministers in the last 12 month...

FOI released 75 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.39(1)
Published
2022-11-30
Reference
FOI/202200322780
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

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

Civil servants working on the proposed referendum on October: FOI release

How many civil servants and at what cost to the Scottish government will the proposed referendum on 19th October?

FOI released 100 score 6 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-05
Reference
FOI/202200315576
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

External legal advice incurred relating to Referendum: FOI release

1) The cost of all external legal advice incurred by the Scottish Government producing the Lord Advocate’s written case to the Supreme Court on the question of whether a referendum on Scottish independence relates to reserved matters. 2) If possible, the lawyers/firms in receipt of the funds the Scottish Government pro...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.2 s.27 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-05
Reference
FOI/202200312733
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with Lord Advocate regarding the Supreme Court: FOI release

1) Any correspondence, including meetings, notes, memos, agendas, ministerial briefings and minutes, between the Scottish Government and the office of the Lord Advocate on the topic of the Lord Advocate's reference to the Supreme Court between January 1, 2022 and June 28, 2022. This should include any emails, letters, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-22
Reference
FOI/202200312193
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
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

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

Information on FOI requests received by the Government: FOI release

1) The total number of FOI requests received by the Scottish Ministers from requesters named Conor Matchett since January 1, 2021; 2) The number of those FOI requests responded to within the 20 day legal requirement; 3) For those FOIs which were subject to an internal review request, how many were responded to within...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.3 s.4 s.5 s.25(1)
Published
2022-07-25
Reference
FOI/202200305116
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

The term ‘English Government’ within Scottish Government correspondence: FOI release

Any mention of the term ‘English Government’ within Scottish Government correspondence in the period 6 May 2021 to 3 May 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-06-22
Reference
FOI/202200298309
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

Correspondence regarding preparation of prospectus for an independent Scotland: FOI Review

Your original request asked for: 1) The number of full time equivalent staff in the Scottish Government who are currently, or are planned to begin work on the "prospectus for an independent Scotland", as mentioned in the Programme for Government on September 7. 2) Any internal correspondence sent from or to the First M...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.20(5) s.20(6) s.17 s.30 s.38 s.34(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-10
Reference
FOI/202200270532 Review of 202100239831
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

Correspondence regarding paragraph 20 of the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group Cooperation Agreement: FOI release

"Copies of all correspondence held relating to Paragraph 20 of the Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group Cooperation Agreement, otherwise known as the 'no surprises' rule."

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.29 s.38 4 attachments
Published
2022-01-06
Reference
FOI/202100250429
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparations made for an independent Scotland: FOI release

I would like to know what preparations have been for a post independent Scotland since the referendum in 2014. What work has been done on, Currency and Banking system Pensions Defence Foreign policy Trade relations Passports and Border Control, and where can I read about this?

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)
Published
2021-12-15
Reference
FOI/202100251793
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

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

Expenditure of James Hamilton QC inquiry: FOI release

Could you please tell me who paid for the James Hamilton QC inquiry and how much it cost.

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.25(1)
Published
2021-06-09
Reference
FOI/202100189377
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding potential timing for independence referendum: FOI release

Any correspondence (emails, letters, whatsapp messages, texts, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls and/or otherwise) from/between/to civil servants and/or Special Advisers on the appropriate timing for an independence referendum to take place once the legislation for it would be passed in the next parliamentary term.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-05-20
Reference
FOI/202100187817
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Local authorities operating independently of central government: FOI release

1) In which year did it start in Scotland that:- Local authorities in Scotland operate independently of central government and are accountable to their electorates. 2) How much is the biggest budget cut since 2009 to local authority spending (Eg roads, pavements, homelessness, etc etc) 3) How much is the budget for ...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.2 s.25(1)
Published
2021-03-25
Reference
FOI/202100152293
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

James Hamilton QC independent investigation: FOI release

1 - An Independent Investigation currently being led by James Hamilton QC is investigating possible breaches of the ministerial code by the First Minister. If he concludes that the FM did not knowingly mislead parliament as well as did not break other parts of the MC then I presume that the First Minister would not res...

FOI released 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.1 s.25(1)
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/20210016129
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

All written evidence to James Hamilton QC's investigation: FOI release

- All written evidence to James Hamilton's QC investigation into the FM under the ministerial code. This includes evidence from the FM, her chief of staff Liz Lloyd and any other individuals within the Scottish Government who have submitted evidence.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100161098
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Responsibilities for specific Ministerial positions: FOI release

1. A copy of the responsibilities of each of the following ministerial positions as at 16th December 2019. The First Minister Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Minister for Public Health and Sport 2. If not included in the descriptions above, a copy of the responsibilities of whichever minister(s) or cabinet sec...

FOI unclear 80 score 1 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202100152438
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector