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

Freedom of Information (FOI) request numbers related to smoking: FOI release

"To ask the Ministers how many FOI requested information in the past four years contained the wording: 'smokefree site littered with cigarette butts' 'smoking biggest preventable cause of death' ".

FOI unclear 50 score 14 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2022-02-23
Reference
FOI/202200276243
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Longest response times for a FOI request in 2021: FOI release

1. During the calendar year of 2021, the ten longest wait times for a response to an FOI request received by the Scottish Government, including the specific topic and scope of each request.

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence s.15 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-04
Reference
FOI/202200269966
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Longest response time for a FOI request and review in 2021: FOI release

1. During the calendar year of 2021, the longest wait time for a response to an FOI request, including the request, response, and any appeal request or response 2. During the calendar year of 2021, the longest wait time for a response to an FOI review request, including the request, response, and any appeal request or ...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence briefings
Published
2022-02-04
Reference
FOI/202200269985
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Comparison of civil servants working on referendums and Gender Recognition: FOI release

Can you please tell me how many civil servants are currently working on a Scottish Independence Referendum Bill compared to the reformation of the Gender Recognition Act?

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings
Published
2022-02-03
Reference
FOI/202200269222
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparation of detailed prospectus for independence: FOI release

In September, the First Minister said that civil servants were being tasked to prepare a detailed prospectus for independence. I would like to request under FOI some details about this work: Who is leading this work? What is their job title and civil service grade? How many civil servants are working on this project a...

FOI unclear 55 score 5 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-01-12
Reference
FOI/202100261720
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Programme for Government, 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

Correspondence between Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and British and Irish Council: FOI release

How many meetings (virtual or in person) has Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, had with representatives of and/or the leadership of the British and Irish Council since he was appointed in May 2021 – to date? How much correspondence (letters, emails, texts, calls or o...

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-03
Reference
FOI/202100236983
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Details regarding white paper on future independence referendum: FOI release

Has a budget been allocated for the preparation of a white paper on a future Independence Referendum and cost of a referendum? What are the estimated costs of bringing such a referendum to a conclusion? How many civil servants will be allocated to this task?

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-10-21
Reference
FOI/202100237749
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Briefing materials on independence referendum prospectus: FOI release

"On 7 September 2021, the First Minister told the Scottish Parliament: ‘It also reaffirms the Scottish Government’s commitment to an independence referendum… I can confirm that the Scottish Government will now restart work on the detailed prospectus that will guide the decision.’ Could you please provide copies of any ...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings 2 attachments
Published
2021-10-20
Reference
FOI/202100237662
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet meetings attended by Patrick Harvie MSP or Lorna Slater MSP: FOI release

1. The number of Cabinet meetings held since 28 August 2021; 2. The number of Cabinet meetings attended by either Patrick Harvie or Lorna Slater; 3. The purpose for which they attended; and 4. The number of Cabinet meetings since 28 August attended by other junior Ministers. Please specify which Minister attended on wh...

FOI unclear 50 score 1 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2021-10-14
Reference
FOI/202100242821
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Various questions relating to Scottish Government working groups: FOI release

For each of the groups listed on the Scottish Government's website here: https://www.gov.scot/groups/, I would like the following information: 1. Whether the group is still active. 1a. The date of establishment. 1b. If no longer active, the date of dissolution. 2. The date of the most recent meeting of the group. 3. Th...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings 2 attachments
Published
2021-10-11
Reference
FOI/202100231518
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Current Ministerial responsibility: FOI release

1. Can you tell me if the two newly appointed Green ministers are responsible to a Cabinet Secretary or, if not, what other arrangements have been made for their accountability to the Government as a whole? 2. Are specific directorates intended to report to them, or, if not, how else are they to make and implement deci...

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2021-10-06
Reference
FOI/202100237443
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Details of Cabinet meetings: FOI release

1. How often does the Cabinet meet and for how long? 2. Is an agenda always circulated in advance and is that publicly available? 3. Is a minute always taken and, if so, is that publicly available? 4. What Committees have been established and what information about them is publicly available? 5. Which Ministers, Commit...

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2021-09-27
Reference
FOI/202100232471
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government Special Advisors: FOI review

Please can you provide a list of the Scottish Government's current special advisers.

FOI unclear 55 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers s.27(1)
Published
2021-07-21
Reference
FOI/202100216734 review of 202100210390
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Minutes of meetings with other parties following 2021 Scottish Parliament election: FOI release

1) Minutes of meetings between Scottish Government officials (including the First Minister) and Scottish Greens co-leaders Patrick Harvie and/or Lorna Slater following the 2021 election. 2) Minutes of a meeting between the First Minister and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar following the 2021 election.

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-28
Reference
FOI/202100207108
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Request made regarding environmental information: FOI release

How many requests you received that related to:- Environment Building standards Drains Smokefree sites In the past 3 years- from anyone ie any requester.

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 12 working days correspondence s.20
Published
2021-06-15
Reference
FOI/202100206694
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Total number of Freedom of Information request made by journalist: FOI release

1. The number of Freedom of Information requests sent to the Scottish Government by journalist and author James McAneny in the period 1 May 2020 to 30 April 2021. 2. Please give a rough breakdown of requests by subject matter. 3. Please give a breakdown of how many were appealed and reviewed internally and externally, ...

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence meetings spending
Published
2021-06-14
Reference
FOI/202100202676
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

Redeployment of Freedom of Information Unit staff due to COVID-19: FOI release

1. For each month commencing January 2020 to date, please provide the total number of FTE staff working in the FOI unit. 2. All correspondence discussing and enacting the decision to redeploy FOI Unit staff to Covid critical roles. The correspondence should be specifically between the following two groups (A) Ministers...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.17(1)
Published
2021-03-30
Reference
FOI/202100155415
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Budget allocation for the government business and constitutional policy: FOI release

For 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21. A breakdown of what the budget allocation for the government business and constitutional policy was used for. Please break this down by type of spend and equivalent allocation in £s.

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-03-29
Reference
FOI/202100151055
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, 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

Allocated spending for Government Business and Constitutional Relations Policy: FOI release

Full breakdown of allocated spending for Government Business and Constitutional Relations Policy for 2021-22. By this I mean a breakdown of what the overall spending for Government Business and Constitutional Relations Policy - which is £14.8 million according to the 2021-22 Budget - will be spent on. Please could this...

FOI unclear 50 score 10 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-03-15
Reference
FOI/202100148506
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Programme for Government, 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

Briefings regarding Referendums Bill set out in 2020-21 Programme for Government: FOI release

From 1 August 2020 to present: Copies of all briefings prepared by civil servants regarding the Referendums Bill that was set out in the 2020-21 Programme for Government that will be introduced to Parliament by the end of this parliamentary term.

FOI unclear 75 score 15 working days correspondence briefings 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-18
Reference
FOI/202100136031
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector