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
198 matching releases

Number of civil servants producing Yes movement material: FOI release

On 12th May 2023, Minister for Independence, Jamie Hepburn published an article on yes.scot in which he stated: “Work is well underway to produce new materials for our activists.” Please disclose the number of Scottish Government employees who have worked on producing new materials for “Yes movement” activists, broke...

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-09
Reference
202300356472
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Emails between Scottish Government and Sinn Fein: FOI release

The total number of e-mails sent between Scottish Government and Sinn Fein e-mail accounts each year, starting from 30 March 2023 up to present day. The contents of these e-mails. If possible, details of who sent these e-mails (for example, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for XXX) and what date the email was sent...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-09
Reference
202300360947
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

'A Stronger Economy With Independence' civil servants and printed copies: FOI release

The number of civil servants who worked on the 'A Stronger Economy With Independence' paper from the Scottish Government. The total number of printed copies of this paper were made in total. If not the overall total number of printed copies of the paper, then the number of printed copies of this paper that were handed ...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202300358659
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Annual cost and nature of work on independence prospectus: FOI release

Following the Minister for Independence appearance on The Sunday Show where he alluded to the fact that 20 civil servants were still working on an independence prospectus, notwithstanding the fact that the UK Supreme Court had advised that the Scottish Government cannot hold a referendum can you advise: How much the s...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202300358072
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information on money spent on Parliamentary Liaison Officers John Swinney MSP and Kate Forbes MSP: FOI release

You requested "information on the amount of money spent on Parliamentary Liaison Officers for John Swinney MSP and Kate Forbes MSP since 2018 to the present. Please provide per year spend per the number of Parliamentary Liaison Officers for each MSP."

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202200333055
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff working on the proposed independence prospectus: FOI release

Can I please request the following information: The number of civil servants currently working to develop the proposed independence prospectus. The pay grade of each staff member. Are these civil servants paid by the taxpayer or through the SNP?

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
202200335629
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff working on Independence Prospectus: FOI release

If the number of civil servants currently working to develop the proposed Independence Prospectus has changed or remains one Senior Civil Servant and twenty-three other officials. Also, the grade pay of each staff member.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2023-10-31
Reference
FOI/202300373699
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Civil servants working on the Building a New Scotland series of papers: FOI release

FOI request With respect to the team of civil servants working on the Building a New Scotland series of papers, please disclose: The number civil servants working on the papers as of 18th November 2022 The maximum number of civil servants who have been working on the papers at any one time, since the team was created ...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2023-10-30
Reference
202200331032
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff who worked on the Renewing Democracy through Independence paper: FOI release

The number of civil servants who worked on the Renewing Democracy through Independence paper from the Scottish Government. The total number of printed copies of this paper were made in total. If you can’t give me the overall total number of printed copies of the paper, can I please have the number of printed copies o...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-10-17
Reference
202300358646
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Civil servants who worked on Devolution since Brexit Referendum: FOI release

The total number of civil servants who worked on the Devolution since the Brexit Referendum document that was published on 14 June 2023: Devolution since the Brexit Referendum - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) The pay grades of these staff members. The total cost to create and publish this document.

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-09-11
Reference
202300361923
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Questions relating to work on "Building a New Scotland" document: FOI release

With respect to the team of civil servants working on the Building a New Scotland series of papers, please disclose: The number civil servants working on the papers as of 28th July 2023 The number of civil servants who have asked to be redeployed away from the writing of the Building a New Scotland series of papers, i...

FOI unclear 55 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2023-08-30
Reference
FOI/202300368947
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Building a new Scotland, Public sector

Responsibility for pensions in an independent Scotland: FOI release

With reference to 202200323769. This notes “ Responsibility for paying for state pensions would rest with the Scottish Government.” I would like to request any information clarifying if responsibility in this context means simply the administrative responsibility of making these payments or the full responsibility whic...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence spending
Published
2023-08-21
Reference
FOI/202300367429
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

List of all external meetings of Constitutional Futures Division: FOI release

Please provide a list of all external (ie outside Scot Gov) persons or organisations that civil servants working for the Constitutional Futures Division have met with (in person or virtually), 1st May 2021 - date.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence meetings
Published
2023-07-25
Reference
FOI/202300362511
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Creating a modern constitution for an independent Scotland: FOI release

The number of civil servants who worked on the Creating a modern constitution for an independent Scotland paper from the Scottish Government? The total number of printed copies of this paper were made in total? If you can’t give me the overall total number of printed copies of the paper, can I please have the number ...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-07-24
Reference
FOI/202300362729
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Top 10 longest wait for current outstanding FOIs: FOI release

The top 10 longest waits for currently outstanding FOIs, including information about the department handling it and subject of the FOI.

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence meetings spending
Published
2023-07-20
Reference
FOI/202300363704
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staffing information regarding independence work: FOI release

It was recently reported that there are 20 civil servant staff working on ‘independence’. This was confirmed by the Minister For Independence, Jamie Hepburn. https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/jamie-hepburn-confirms-20-civil-30034650 Can you please provide the job titles, departments they work in, a...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending
Published
2023-06-15
Reference
FOI/202300358071
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector, Work and skills

FOI responses which included the release of WhatsApp messages: FOI release

This is a follow up request to a previous FOI response. Your ref: 202300348653 The response to the above referenced request includes this remark: “The Scottish Government has previously released messaging exchanges in response to Freedom of Information requests.” Please provide information held by the Scottish Gover...

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence whatsapp
Published
2023-06-14
Reference
FOI/202300352882
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

FOIs submitted regarding Finance and Economy: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Finance and Economy from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Kate Forbes before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs cleared by John Swinney (as Kate Forbes on maternity leave) before release/publication. 4. The ...

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers
Published
2023-01-31
Reference
FOI/202200335611
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FOIs submitted regarding Justice and Veterans: FOI release

1.The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Justice and Veterans from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Keith Brown before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers
Published
2023-01-31
Reference
FOI/202200335609
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FOIs submitted regarding Rural Affairs and Islands: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Rural Affairs and Islands from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Mairi Gougeon before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers
Published
2023-01-30
Reference
FOI/202200335635
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Angus Robertson before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers
Published
2023-01-30
Reference
FOI/202200335631
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FOIs submitted regarding Net Zero, Energy and Transport: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Net Zero, Energy and Transport from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Michael Matheson before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 3 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2023-01-30
Reference
FOI/202200335627
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FOIs submitted regarding Education and Skills: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Education and Skills from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Shirley-Anne Somerville before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers
Published
2023-01-30
Reference
FOI/202200335626
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector