Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

16,443releases indexed
26,242attachments found
29.9avg calendar days
6,071partially withheld
2020-08-25oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 6,071 unclear 5,508 not held 2,346 released 1,017 already published 543 cost limit 481 clarification 241 withheld 183 transferred 53

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 3793 s.20 3210 s.34(1) 2953 s.39(2) 2516 s.30 2216 s.17(1) 2151 s.25(1) 1861 s.10(4) 1501 s.11(2) 1228 s.2 913 s.29(1) 908 s.3 689

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 975 releases · 28.3 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 798 releases · 30.4 avg days Marine Directorate 640 releases · 28.1 avg days Learning Directorate 584 releases · 35.7 avg days Population Health Directorate 541 releases · 28.1 avg days Constitution Directorate 515 releases · 36.7 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 513 releases · 29.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 500 releases · 40.7 avg days
Clear
515 matching releases

Transmission charges in an independent Scotland query: EIR release

Speaking at FMQs on 22nd January 2026, John Swinney said this: “Emma Roddick raises significant concerns about the West of Orkney wind farm that have been raised by the developer. It is a development that would bring enormous benefit to the people of Scotland, but it is being put in jeopardy because of the disproporti...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2026-05-13
Reference
EIR/202600503474
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Energy, Topics

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

Lord Mandelson communications: FOI release

Any and all emails, WhatsApps, texts, or other forms of communications currently held by the Scottish Government sent to, or received from, Peter Mandelson.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2026-05-11
Reference
FOI/202600509305
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

Raising of the Palestinian flag outside St Andrew’s House: FOI Review

Original Request 202500484291 “all information about the source of the flag, including the supplier, cost, invoices and associated correspondence"

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-01
Reference
FOI/202500490950 - Review of 202500484291
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding foreign state operations: FOI release

1. Any advice, briefings, or guidance issued to Scottish Government Ministers in the calendar year 2025 regarding suspected foreign state influence operations, specifically relating to a suspected Iranian bot network (or "inauthentic coordinated behavior") operating on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in ...

FOI unclear 55 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1)
Published
2026-04-30
Reference
FOI/202500497033
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

Independence campaigning spend: FOI release

The amount spent on independence campaigning.

FOI not held 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2026-03-09
Reference
FOI/202500499772
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

Correspondence to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic regarding A Fresh Start with Independence: FOI release

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

FOI partially withheld 85 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2026-03-02
Reference
FOI/202500498553
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Renewable Energy costs in A Fresh Start with Independence: EIR release

A Fresh Start with Independence, published on 8th October 2025, includes the following remark: “The Scottish Government would work to ensure any lower cost of renewables is passed through to customers” The Scottish Government may be aware that renewables with higher costs also exist, and are particularly prevalent in ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500488967
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

Documentation containing the name Stephen Flynn: 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, which is to/from or mentions Stephen Flynn, from the last month, from within the Directorate for Constitution and from within the First M...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-09
Reference
FOI/202500494070
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the second 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 a second independence referendum being held, between October 1 2025 and the date of this FOI.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-02
Reference
FOI/202500490741
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Statement made regarding "lower energy bills" in the publication 'A Fresh Start with Independence': EIR release

A Fresh Start with Independence, published on 8th October 2025, includes the following remark: “being in charge of Scotland's energy resources would enable us to lower energy bills” The paper does not explain how energy bills would be lowered, and provides no evidence for why this would be possible. If the Scottish Go...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2026-01-26
Reference
FOI/202500488970
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

Grid infrastructure funding: EIR release

A Fresh Start with Independence, published on 8th October 2025, does not explain who the Scottish Government believes would pay for grid infrastructure inside Scotland after independence. Is the Scottish Government’s position that Scottish bill payers would pay for the grid in an independent Scotland, or does it believ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2026-01-26
Reference
FOI/202500489718
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Documentation that mentions former UK Prime Minister: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, which mentions Margaret Thatcher, from the last month.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488177
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Documentation regarding the Right to Decide paper: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about the Right to Decide paper, between August 1 2025 and September 30 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488196
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cost of hiring the National Portrait Gallery for the launch event of the “A Fresh Start with Independence” paper: FOI release

The cost to the Scottish Government of hiring the National Portrait Gallery for the launch event of the “A Fresh Start with Independence” paper on 8 October 2025. Please break down this cost including room hire, catering, and any other relevant costs.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence spending
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488285
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

Budget for advertising the “A Fresh Start with Independence” paper on social media: FOI release

1) The cost of producing the “A Fresh Start with Independence” paper – broken down by all known costs. For example, design work. 2) The budget for advertising the “A Fresh Start with Independence” paper on social media. Break this down by social media platform.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.27(1) s.17(1)
Published
2026-01-19
Reference
FOI/202500488266
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cost of advertising the “A Fresh Start with Independence” paper: FOI release

1. The total cost of producing the white paper. 2. A breakdown of expenses, including (but not limited to) research, writing, design, printing, and digital publication. 3. Any additional costs associated with public dissemination or promotion of the document.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.27(1) s.17(1)
Published
2026-01-19
Reference
FOI/202500488758
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector