Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

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
131 matching releases

UK Government intergovernmental relations policy correspondence: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about the leaked Keir Starmer memo warning senior UK ministers against showing an "overly deferential" approach to the devolved govern...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-12
Reference
FOI/202600511101
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Transfer of devolved powers to the UK Government queries: FOI release

1. Confirmation of whether any Section 30 Order has ever transferred devolved powers from the Scottish Government or Scottish Parliament to the UK Government Please confirm: Whether any Order in Council made under Section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 has ever had the effect of reducing the legislative competence of the...

FOI transferred 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30 s.1 s.4 s.17(1)
Published
2026-05-11
Reference
FOI/202600500071
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Building a New Scotland - Papers on series of independence: FOI release

Now that the Building a New Scotland series of independence papers has concluded, please list all those papers for which a draft was completed, but the paper was not actually published. For each of these draft unpublished papers, please provide the latest draft version held by the Scottish Government.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence s.30
Published
2026-05-08
Reference
FOI/202500498430
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Building a new Scotland, Public sector

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

Documentation regarding Scottish independence: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about publishing reports, papers or documents about Scottish independence, from the last three months?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2026-03-25
Reference
FOI/202600501228
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding "A Fresh Start with Independence": FOI release

1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the First Minister and the office of the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture regarding the “A Fresh Start with Independence” policy paper. Inform...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.30 s.38 s.39(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488712
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Your Right to Decide correspondence and meeting information: FOI release

1) All correspondence between the First Minister (and his office) and officials working in the Scottish Government’s Constitution Directorate since 6 May 2025. This should include emails, meetings of any kind, letters or phone calls. 2) How many meetings Scottish Ministers attended to discuss the Your Right to Decide ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2026-01-14
Reference
FOI/202500486711
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to 'Your Right to Decide' publication: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, regarding the Scottish Government’s Your right to decide publication, from the last month?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.30 s.38 4 attachments
Published
2026-01-13
Reference
FOI/202500486265
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Parliament (Recall and Removal of Members) Bill information: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about the Scottish Parliament (Recall and Removal of Members) Bill. from the last month?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.30 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2025-12-08
Reference
FOI/202500482282
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence on UK Government bypassing the Scottish Government and/or the Scottish Parliament: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, which mentions UK Government bypassing the Scottish Government and/or the Scottish Parliament, from the last three months?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.30 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-03
Reference
FOI/202500477242
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government Officials mentioning Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse: FOI release

1. "Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the First Minister and any Scottish Government Official with a rank of Deputy Director or higher regarding the following terms “Hamilton”, “Larkhall”, “Stonehouse” or “Hamil...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-25
Reference
FOI/202500470140
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

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

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

Supreme Court decision programme of work advice: FOI release

This is a follow up request to a previous FOI response. Your ref: 202500461036 The above referenced FOI response provided the note of a meeting held on 29th November 2022, which includes the following remark: "David Rogers, Director, Constitution and Cabinet (DR), updated the group on the programme of work following ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence meetings s.30 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-28
Reference
FOI/202500465509
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

Building a New Scotland independence paper information: FOI release

On what date did work cease on the planned Building a New Scotland independence papers covering the following topics: 1. Fiscal plan 2. Pensions 3. Energy/net zero In each case, please provide the draft paper as it existed when work was halted.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 3 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.30
Published
2025-01-27
Reference
FOI/202400444159
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence on Scottish Government position on pensions in an independent Scotland: FOI release

I refer to the following FOI: https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-government-position-on-pensions-in-an-independent-scotland-foi-release/ It notes “ The Scottish Government will publish full proposals for pensions in an independent Scotland in coming months as part of the ‘Building a New Scotland’ series, to h...

FOI cost limit 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.30 2 attachments
Published
2025-01-27
Reference
FOI/202400444508
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister meetings at the British Irish Council: FOI release

- All briefings that were provided to the First Minister in advance of the British Irish Council 6 December 2024. - The minutes of the First Minister’s meeting with Taoiseach Simon Harris at the British Irish Council. - The minutes of the First Minister’s meeting with Tánaiste Micheál Martin at the British Irish Coun...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.28(1) s.30 s.32(1) s.38 4 attachments
Published
2025-01-27
Reference
FOI/202400444862
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

Welsh and Irish Government leader documentation and Former First Minister meeting with Palestinian community correspondence: FOI release

2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence (internal included), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, which mention Mark Drakeford, between December 10 2023 and March 15 2024? 3. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, includi...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 8 attachments
Published
2025-01-17
Reference
FOI/202400439557
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Meeting between Pensions Policy Institute and the former Minister for Independence: FOI release

All documentation (including agendas, presentation materials, minutes, notes, or briefings) relating to a meeting which took place on 16th January 2024 between the Pensions Policy Institute and the then Minister for Independence, Jamie Hepburn MSP, during the Minister’s visit to London.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 4 attachments
Published
2025-01-17
Reference
FOI/202400441617
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications regarding publication of updated independence prospectus papers: FOI Review

Original request - 202200301428 (2) Any internal correspondence discussing the plans to publish the prospectus, and any comms handling documents or discussions around the prospectus.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 619 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-18
Reference
FOI/202200309607 Review of 202200301428
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