Scottish Government FOI Index

17,099releases indexed

27,856attachments found

30.0avg calendar days

6,297partially withheld

2020-01-10oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 6,297 unclear 5,710 not held 2,434 released 1,096 already published 565 cost limit 491 clarification 264 withheld 186 transferred 56

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 3926 s.20 3344 s.34(1) 3080 s.39(2) 2635 s.30 2273 s.17(1) 2227 s.25(1) 1918 s.10(4) 1572 s.11(2) 1292 s.2 942 s.29(1) 927 s.3 712

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 1,007 releases · 28.2 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 813 releases · 30.8 avg days Marine Directorate 678 releases · 28.5 avg days Learning Directorate 617 releases · 35.4 avg days Population Health Directorate 557 releases · 29.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 532 releases · 36.5 avg days Economic Development Directorate 516 releases · 40.0 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 513 releases · 29.3 avg days

Clear

78 matching releases

Documentation about routes to an independence referendum: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about routes to an independence referendum, from the last two months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-20
Reference: FOI/202600504822
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence to the First Minister regarding A Fresh Start with Independence: FOI release

For the period 8th October 2025 - date, please provide all correspondence received by the First Minister (or his Private Office) which mentions the paper A Fresh Start with Independence, published on 8th October 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-02
Reference: FOI/202500498546
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Details of First Minister's meeting with the Leader of Plaid Cymru: FOI release

- Any costs involved in the First Minister hosting Rhun ap Iorwerth at Bute House in October 2025. For example, catering costs, and any other costs incurred. - A list of the people who attended the First Minister’s meeting with Rhun ap Iorwerth at Bute House in October 2025. - Any correspondence sent or received by t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.17(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-11
Reference: FOI/202500493831
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Meetings involving Constitutional Futures Division civil servants and Scottish Government ministers: FOI release

This is a follow up request to a previous FOI response. Your ref: 202500461036 The above referenced FOI response provided an item with the title: "Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy and Minister for Independence: Discussion on [R...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-17
Reference: FOI/202500465524
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

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

Building a New Scotland series documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/note from meetings, briefings and analysis, about the Building a New Scotland series, from the last three months. How much was spent on the abandoned papers in the series, with a breakdown of cos...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-06
Reference: FOI/202500470226
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Meetings involving the Constitutional Futures Division and Scottish Government Ministers: FOI Review

Original request 202500461036 This is a follow up request to a previous FOI response. Your ref: 202500455797 The above referenced FOI response provided a list of meetings involving CFD civil servants and Scottish Government Ministers. For each of the listed meetings, please provide all briefing materials prepared ah...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29 s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-08-06
Reference: FOI/202500470324 Review of 202500461036
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Independence spending in the Budget documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including minutes/notes from meetings, correspondence sent and received, briefings, analysis, about independence spending in the Budget, from the last two months.

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.30C 2 attachments

Published: 2025-04-09
Reference: FOI/202500453343
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Future of the Building a New Scotland papers briefing: FOI release

The Scottish Government today released correspondence with Business for Scotland under FoI. https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202400435692/ In this release is a briefing for First Minister John Swinney dated 8 August 2024 which says the FM "is meeting officials following this meeting (16.15) to discuss the future...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38 6 attachments

Published: 2025-01-20
Reference: FOI/202400441349
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications regarding publication of updated independence prospectus papers: FOI Appeal

Original request - 202200309607 1) In an essay for The National, the First Minister states "we will shortly begin publishing an updated prospectus on the opportunities that independence can offer Scotland". Please provide the publication timetable for this prospectus.

FOI released 100 score 608 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-11-18
Reference: FOI/202200309607 Appeal of 202200301428
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Building a New Scotland and applying for a Section 30: FOI release

4. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government about the continuation of the Building a New Scotland series of papers between May 15 2024 and August 15 2024, including correspondence (internal as well), briefings, policy notes and minutes/notes from meetings? 5. Could you supply all documentatio...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-08
Reference: FOI/202400427160
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish independence briefing notes: FOI release

Any official briefing note to the First Minister and/or the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution in the calendar year 2024, which includes the phrase "Scottish independence" and/or "referendum".

FOI cost limit 70 score 13 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.30 s.29(1) s.36(1) s.12 4 attachments

Published: 2024-10-03
Reference: FOI/202400425681
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Currency of public sector pension payments in an independent Scotland: FOI release

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/currency_of_social_security_and#incoming-2719283 I refer to the above cases and your helpful clarification of the currency that benefits and state pensions would be paid in an independent Scotland. I would like to follow that up for any discussion or analysis or plans if the fol...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-18
Reference: FOI/202400425251
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector

Dunbar travelling cabinet and Former First Minister's meetings: FOI release

1. All correspondence, including internal correspondence, sent and received by the Scottish Government and notes and briefings written for Humza Yousaf's meeting with Michelle O'Neill on November 22, between September 1 2023 and the date of this FOI? Can you include all notes and minutes taken from this meeting, and al...

FOI cost limit 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.27 s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.32(1) s.38(1) s.27(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-12
Reference: FOI/202300389112
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Independent Scotland, Scottish currency, Building a New Scotland and independence polls: FOI release

1. Could you supply all work/analysis which has been done, including briefings and correspondence on this topic, on writing up a draft constitution for an independent Scotland, writing up withdrawal agreement from the UK and sending an envoy to Brussels, from the past 12 months? 2. Could you supply all work/analysis w...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.17(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400414314
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

Media appearances, education and lifelong learning in an independent Scotland, Independence and Gaelic Minister posts: FOI release

1. Could you supply all of the briefings written for John Swinney ahead of his round of media appearances on Friday May 10? 2. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government, all briefings held, all minutes/notes from meetings, about the launch of “education and lifelong learning in a...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2024-09-03
Reference: FOI/202400414637
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Education, Public sector

Constitutional futures, Independence and Scottish Child Payment: FOI release

1. All analysis undertaken by the Scottish Government about how much the Scottish Child Payment would be paid in an independent Scotland and how much it would cost/how much kids would get? 2. All correspondence, minutes, notes and briefings, received and sent by the Scottish Government mentioning or from George Foulke...

FOI cost limit 70 score 18 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400402341
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

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

Correspondence regarding Independence Referendum: FOI release

1. Has the Scottish Government modelled how many embassies it would create in the event of independence and how much these would cost? If so, could you supply this modelling? If not, why? 2. All correspondence between the Scottish Government and European Council President Charles Michel between January 1 2023 and the ...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.29(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-13
Reference: FOI/202300377834
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear weapons and NATO membership: FOI release

On March 4, 2024, the Scottish Government released its 11th independence prospectus relating to Scotland’s place on the world. In it, it was claimed the SG did not think opposition to nuclear weapons or the removal of Trident would be an impediment to NATO membership I wish to obtain all details of discussions with NA...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence s.17(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-07-30
Reference: FOI/202400402603
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Referendum Budget: FOI review

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. All correspondence between relevant Scottish Government work...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.29(1) s.17

Published: 2024-01-26
Reference: FOI/202200310643 Review of 202200303499
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector