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

Communications concerning Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill and changes to Freedom of Information rules: FOI release

All communication between ministers, officials and press officers regarding the proposed changes to Freedom of Information rules.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 238 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/202000025358
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Extending response times to freedom of information requests: FOI review

Supply all correspondence/emails (including attachments) - to or from government ministers, special advisers or senior civil servants - dated on or prior to 2 April 2020 relating to the proposal to extend response times to freedom of information requests set out in Schedule 6 Part 2 of the [Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill....

FOI partially withheld 90 score 153 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.21(4) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/202000068453
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs referendum correspondence: FOI release

From 1 October 2020 to present: Copies of all emails to and from Michael Russell with the word ‘referendum’ in them (including in the email body, as an attachment, in the subject line and/or otherwise).

FOI already published 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-03
Reference
FOI/202000118630
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

FOI statistics and overdue responses: FOI release

Can you please provide all reports (or lists) provided by the government's central FOI unit to government ministers in the period from 1 September 2020 to date that (a) contain a list of overdue FOI requests (b) shows FOI response performance. Please provide all correspondence that was sent to Ministers along with the ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000099262
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

Expenditure of independence referendum: FOI release

Since the SNP administration took office in 2007, how much of taxpayers money has been spent on the SNP’s independence project.

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1)
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000117524
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence types and case compliance in financial year ending March 2020: FOI release

How many correspondence cases did Scottish Government receive in the financial year ending March 2020 split across the various types (complaints, FOI, DPR, etc.)? Please also include any stats on compliance regarding timely responses where relevant. What volume of cases received from April - Sept 2020 were COVID19 spec...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.81 s.76 s.20 s.10 s.25(1) s.12
Published
2021-01-20
Reference
FOI/202000106664
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

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

Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill FOI legislation changes: FOI release

In relation to the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill (https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/114929.aspx) I would like to request the following material: Any briefings or analysis documents outlining the need for / details of proposed changes to FOI legislation

FOI partially withheld 90 score 156 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2020-11-06
Reference
FOI/202000025366
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Information concerning contact between the First Minister, the Former First Minister and representatives: FOI appeal

Information concerning contact between Ms. Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister, her Government and her staff and Mr Alex Salmond, Former First Minister and his representatives in the period 1st January 2018 and 31st December 2018: Dates and times of contact, meetings and phone calls Details of who was present at meetings...

FOI already published 80 score 457 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.56 s.49(7) s.25(1) 6 attachments
Published
2020-10-26
Reference
FOI-19-00185-appeal
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

St Andrews House flags: FOI release

The equivalent documents to "DAYS FOR HOISTING FLAGS ON BUILDINGS OF THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT 2019" for each year from 2014? Also, please could you supply information on any requests made for flags to fly originating from outside Scottish government since January 2015, except ones to do with royal births, birthdays or m...

FOI released 100 score 10 working days correspondence s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-07-02
Reference
FOI/202000044551
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Changes to FOI in Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill – meetings: FOI release

This is an FOI request in relation to the Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill. I would like to request the following material: 1. Details (dates, attendees etc) of all meetings where proposed changes to Freedom of Information rules were discussed 2. Any associated documents from the above meetings (NB this should include minut...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 49 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-06-17
Reference
FOI/202000025364
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Correspondence concerning what question should be used in a future independence referendum: FOI release

You asked for: A copy of all evidence and internal Scottish Government and Ministerial communications relating to the research and evidence that has been used to support the Cabinet Secretary's claim that the majority of people agree the same question should be used in a future independence referendum.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-12-06
Reference
FOI/201900006184
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Various questions concerning the Citizens’ Assembly: FOI release

Provide the following information (all information provided in this section must be pre-existing at the date of this request): 1. A copy of any / all documentation required to be signed by the citizens. 2. All instructions and guidance provided to Mark Diffley or his company regarding the selection of citizens. 3. All ...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts s.2 s.3 s.4 s.1 s.17(1) s.6 s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2019-11-26
Reference
FOI/201900005919
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Meta data for FOI requests 19/00076,77,78,00118 and 00682: FOI release

Regarding all of my FOISA requests tabled since January 1 2019 and up to and including the date of request, please provide all examples of clearance, including emails and the content of attachments in emails.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.25(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2019-10-17
Reference
FOI/201900004219
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Material relating to FOI Appeal on request FOI/201900000117: FOI release

You asked for; all correspondence, information contained in discussions and all material supplied by Scottish Government to the Scottish Information Commissioner in relation to his relating to request “Independent Scrutiny of Inter Agency Decision Ref 092/2019.

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.47(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-07-04
Reference
FOI/201900001987
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministers in acting ministerial posts in June 2019: FOI release

You asked the Scottish Government to confirm: How many Ministers are in Acting Minister Posts in June 2019? How many Ministers in Acting Posts were made permanent in those posts? How many Ministers remits have been extended in the past two years? How many Ministers remits have been changed in the last two years?

FOI unclear 55 score 5 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)
Published
2019-07-04
Reference
FOI/19/01541
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministers and Special Advisers roles responding to FOI requests: FOI review

Please provide the following: (A) any and all procedures, guidance, emails that set out the current role of Ministers and Special Advisers in responding to FOI requests and requests for internal review. (B) a risk assessment that sets out the data protection compliance considerations associated with (A).

FOI not held 70 score 7 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.1(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-04-09
Reference
FOI/19/00669 Review
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister’s correspondence regarding Sustainable Growth Commission: FOI release

Any correspondence received or sent by the First Minister regarding the SNP’s ‘Sustainable Growth Commission’ since May 2018.

FOI already published 80 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-04-05
Reference
FOI/19/00753
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Ministers and Special Advisers roles responding to FOI requests: FOI release

Please provide the following: (A) any and all procedures, guidance, emails that set out the current role of Ministers and Special Advisers in responding to FOI requests and requests for internal review. (B) a risk assessment that sets out the data protection compliance considerations associated with (A).

FOI unclear 80 score 12 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.8(1) s.1(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-03-27
Reference
FOI/19/00669
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector