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
326 matching releases

Clearance of the requestor's requests submitted since 01/08/2017: FOI release

1. Regarding all of my FOISA requests tabled to the SG since August 1st 2017, please provide all examples of clearance by Ministers/Ministerial offices, including emails andthe content of attachments in emails. 2. Regarding all of my FOISA requests tabled to the SG since August 1st 2017, please provide all emails (and...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-07-17
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with Information Commissioner on Intervention Report: FOI release

Correspondence between the Information Commissioner and the Scottish Government on the former's intervention report into Scottish Government compliance with Freedom of Information legislation. Any briefings given to Ministers from Scottish Government civil servants on the report. Internal correspondence in the Scottish...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.43(3) 10 attachments
Published
2018-07-12
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

FOI requests from 2015: communications with Royal Household: FOI release

All communication between the Scottish Government and the Royal Household (including their representatives) discussing FOI requests received by the Scottish Government related to the Royal household/Royal family. The timeframe for this request is 01/01/2015 - 31/12/2015. You clarified on 7 June 2018 that you were spec...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) s.41 2 attachments
Published
2018-07-09
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Legislative consequences of EU Withdrawal Project: workforce costs: FOI release

Details of the total number of civil servants and their corresponding total working hours spent on the Legislative Consequences of EU Withdrawal Project.

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2018-06-22
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Applicable flags flown by protocol versions 22/23: FOI release

Were the flags flown over the years at SAH 100% in accordance with each applicable version of the protocol for that year i.e. were the flags flown in the year of version 22 different to those flown in the year of version 23?

FOI unclear 50 score correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2018-06-22
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Changes to Flag Flying guidance: FOI review

1. There are only minor changes on versions 1 through 22, why were there such significant changes on version 23? (For background, there were 15 instances of the Saltire/Union Jack combination (UJ Superior) in version 22. There is only 1 Saltire/Union Jack instance in version 23). 2. On both versions 22 & 23 the key f...

FOI clarification 55 score correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.14(2) s.14 s.14O
Published
2018-06-12
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Lists of organisations requesting FOI information: FOI release

Does the Scottish Government keeps lists of the organisation that email accounts that send FOI requests belong to; for the headings of these lists; for correspondence on the membership of these lists since 1 January 2018 if they exist; for if ministers have suggested edits to these lists in the same timeframe (1 Januar...

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2018-06-06
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Reporters responsible for adjudication of various Wind Farms:FOI release

The name and employment status – Self-Employed or Salaried – of the Reporter(s) responsible for adjudicating on the Arecleoch, Kilgallioch and Mark Hill wind farms. The name and employment status – Self-Employed or Salaried – of the Reporter(s) who adjudicated on the various phases of the Whitlees wind farm and extensi...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score correspondence ministers s.1 s.10(4)
Published
2018-05-29
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Changes to Flag Flying guidance: FOI release

1. There are only minor changes on versions 1 through 22, why were there such significant changes on version 23? (For background, there were 15 instances of the Saltire/Union Jack combination (UJ Superior) in version 22. There is only 1 Saltire/Union Jack instance in version 23). 2. On both versions 22 & 23 the key fo...

FOI unclear 50 score correspondence ministers
Published
2018-05-29
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic

Legislative Consequences of EU Withdrawal Project: FOI release

Details of any stated aims or guidance at its origin provided by Scottish Ministers to the Legislative Consequences of EU Withdrawal Project.

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2018-05-17
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications between FOI officers and Special Advisers: FOI release

1. In a response to a request for information dated 6 March 2018 you noted that it would be too costly to check the FoI tracker system for all cases which were sent to the 'FoI SpAds' mailbox. I would now like to request information relating to how many emails in the 'FoI SpAds' mailbox originated from the Freedom of I...

FOI not held 70 score correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2018-05-16
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Number of FOI requests received in March 2018: FOI release

1. The total number of FOI requests received. 2. The total number of FOI requests which were deemed to require ministerial sign off or approval. 3. The total number of FOI requests in which one or more special advisers were in any way involved in the response. The time period for this information: requests received ...

FOI unclear 50 score correspondence ministers special advisers
Published
2018-05-14
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

List of Ministerial resignations from government since 1999: FOI release

A list of all Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers who have resigned from their posts in government, from 1999-present, and what reasons they gave for having done so.

FOI released 100 score correspondence ministers s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-05-10
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

E-counting contract and associated correspondence with Aberdeen Council: FOI release

1. The draft contract supplied in autumn 2016 by the Scottish Government to Aberdeen City Council or to the returning officer appointed by Aberdeen City Council per RPA 1983 s41(1), with any accompanying documentation and covering letter, for the supply of electronic counting services by CGI Group and their contractors...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers contracts spending s.10 s.38(1) 12 attachments
Published
2018-05-09
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Joint Ministerial Committee, Plenary and EU Negotiations forums: FOI release

The briefings provided to Scottish Government Ministers for meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee of the UK Government and the three Devolved Administrations from 12 July 2017. I would also like to submit the same FOI for meetings between Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May within the same timeframe. You further cla...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.28(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.29(1) s.3(2) 6 attachments
Published
2018-05-02
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Organisational structure of the Protocol and Honours team: FOI release

1. What is the organisational structure of the Protocol and Honours team? No names necessary just the positions. 2. Who in the Scottish Government/Parliament is the responsible elected and appointed director/manager/officer? I.e. who does the highest officer I the team report to? 3. Who does the team take instruction...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers s.2 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2018-05-01
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Freedom of information requests received by Scottish Government: FOI release

Thank you for your request dated 7 March 2018 under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for information relating to Freedom of Information requests received by the Scottish Government.

FOI not held 45 score correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) s.12
Published
2018-04-12
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Meetings with RSL officials: FOI release

Requested information on the dates and times that Scottish Government Ministers, Junior Scottish Ministers, their advisers and civil servants/public servants met with RSLs, their advisers, agents and umbrella groups representing their interests to discuss the designation of RSLs and their subsidiaries under FoISA, and/...

FOI not held 70 score correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-04-12
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Freedom of Information requests 2013 to 2017: FOI release

1. Total number of FOI requests to ScotGov in each of 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 2. Total number of requests in each of these years in which Special Advisers were involved (ie by commenting on draft responses) 3. Total number of requests in each of these years which were deemed to require ministerial input/sign-off

FOI not held 45 score correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.25(1) s.12
Published
2018-03-12
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the Union Flag in 2018: FOI release

For any correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefs or otherwise) involving any of: Liz Lloyd, Nicola Sturgeon, special advisers, Ministers or communications staff on the subject of the Union Flag/Union Jack in 2018 to date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38 24 attachments
Published
2018-03-12
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Freedom of Information Act and Scottish Government Ministers: FOI release

You asked for civil servant briefings and correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings or otherwise) on the FOI Act to Scottish Government Ministers and special advisers in December 2017, January 2018 and February 2018 to date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-03-09
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Handling of Freedom of Information requests: FOI release

1. Any policies, guidelines or guidance related to the handling of Freedom of Information requests by Special Advisers; 2. Details of correspondence relating to Freedom of Information requests which have been sent to the Scottish Government email account or email list "FoI SpAdS PO" – a list with the subject lines and...

FOI cost limit 70 score correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.29(1) s.25(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2018-03-08
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Changes to the Ministerial Code in 2018: FOI release

"Any correspondence within the last six months (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefs or otherwise) on the topic of changes to the Ministerial Code in 2018. Information should include any direction from Scottish Government ministers and special advisers; and correspondenc...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2018-03-02
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Flag flying policy: FOI release

I am in possession, via the Scottish Government website, of the two "Days for Hoisting Flags on Building of the Scottish Government" documents, the 2010 version 14 (valid from April 2010) and the 2018 version valid from this month version 23. I would be grateful if you will answer a few queries; Who was responsible f...

FOI released 95 score correspondence ministers 4 attachments
Published
2018-02-28
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic