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

Flag flying guidance 2010-2017: FOI release

Any internal communications or guidance sent to Scottish Government buildings and agencies between 2010 and 2017 in relation to flag flying protocols. In particular, has the Scottish Government including any of its ministers or civil servants, ever instructed civil servants working at Scottish Government buildings and...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.17 18 attachments
Published
2018-02-27
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Flag flying instructions for 2018: FOI release

Flag flying instructions Scotland altered for 2018 re Union Flag In view of the recent press coverage of the above subject, and the apparent difference between 2017 and 2018 instructions, I would like to be advised of the following details: 1. When and where was the decision taken to have a new arrangement for 2018? ...

FOI clarification 55 score correspondence ministers meetings s.7 s.8
Published
2018-02-27
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with household of HM Queen on flags: FOI release

All correspondence since 2009 between the Scottish Government and the household of HM the Queen on the subject of flags and their display.

FOI unclear 75 score correspondence ministers 4 attachments
Published
2018-02-27
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Consultation on changes to flag flying policy: FOI release

1. Who did the First Minister consult in 2010 over the changes to the policy that covers "Days for hoisting flags on buildings of the Scottish Government?" 2. What was the details of the consultation? 3. Why was the practice changed in 2010 but the policy wasn't updated until 2017?

FOI released 95 score correspondence ministers 4 attachments
Published
2018-02-27
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Names of special advisers involved in FOI responses: FOI appeal

1. The name and role (preferably job title + department) of all senior civil servants, special advisers, press/communication officers, ministers and parliamentary liaison officers involved in answering the following FOI requests: FOI/15/01557, FOI/15/01791, FOI/15/01977, FOI/16/01644, FOI/16/02008, FOI/16/02132, FOI/17...

FOI partially withheld 85 score correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments
Published
2018-02-08
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Independence Referendum Aberdeen Counting Officer appointment: FOI release

To see a copy of the letter from the Chief Counting Officer to Scottish ministers notifying them of the appointment of the Counting Officer for the City of Aberdeen in the Scottish Independence Referendum as required by s6.2 of the Scottish Independence Referendum Act 2013.

FOI unclear 75 score correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2018-01-19
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Post-legislative scrutiny of Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act: FOI release

What progress the Scottish Government has made in undertaking post-legislative scrutiny of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) and in setting up an independent inquiry into the Scottish Government's handling of FOI requests following the vote in the Scottish Parliament for it to do so on 21 June 2017...

FOI unclear 75 score correspondence ministers meetings 10 attachments
Published
2017-12-21
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Parliamentary Committees overviewing performance of Scottish Government Departments: FOI release

1. With my original FOI having a price tag of £600 please send me a complete breakdown of this cost. I trust this will be easy as the breakdown must exist to allow the final price to be determined. 2. Please tell me which Parliamentary Committee would overview the behaviour of the Scottish Government Departments

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2017-12-12
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications between Joe FitzPatrick and Paschal Donohoe: FOI release

All communications in the request for a meeting, organisation of the meeting and communications between Joe FitzPatrick and Irish minister Paschal Donohoe on 11 April 2017 Any notes or minutes taken during the meeting All briefing documents made for the Minister for Parliamentary Business in advance of the meeting.

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 12 attachments
Published
2017-11-13
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

BBC FOI/EIR requests: FOI release

The following information: 'You have disclosed that up to 26 July of this year you have received 21 FOI/EIR requests from the BBC: /publications/foi-17-01752/ Please provide details of these 21 requests and your responses to date.'

FOI partially withheld 65 score correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1)
Published
2017-11-10
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Correspondence with Welsh Government regarding EU (Withdrawal) Bill: FOI release

Any correspondence, digital or physical, between any Minister, member of staff, or arms-length organisation of the Scottish Government and any Minister, member of staff, or arms-length organisation of the Welsh Government concerning the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill along with any record of or minutes from any meeti...

FOI cost limit 45 score correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.12 s.22
Published
2017-11-07
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

FOI/EIRs responses which did not release information: FOI release

You asked for details of how many freedom of information and EIR requests the Scottish Government did not publish on their website at the following link, broken down by September, August and July 2017: SG Publications. You would like to receive any information, if it exists, on why these particular FOIs and EIRs were n...

FOI partially withheld 60 score correspondence ministers
Published
2017-10-25
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Plans for a change of administration in 2016: FOI release

You asked "what preparation Scottish Government civil servants carried out for the potential of a Scottish Labour or Scottish Conservative-led Government; to ask if Leslie Evans was involved with these preparations and if so what work she carried out; to ask if any work was carried out delivering on the Scottish Labour...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 14 attachments
Published
2017-10-16
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Average time taken to release FOI request: FOI release

You asked for the following: 1 - All papers that Mr Fitzpatrick has based his claim of "Scotland is one of the worlds most transparent countries and governments in the world." 2 - The average time taken to release FOI request answers in each of the last 5 years 3 - The number of FOI rejected each of the last 5 years...

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1) s.2
Published
2017-09-11
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Ministerial decision to publish FOI requests: FOI release

All correspondence between the relevant ministers and Scottish Government officials about the decision, last month, to publish all FOI requests on the Scottish Government's website as soon as they are issued to the requester.

FOI released 95 score correspondence ministers briefings 2 attachments
Published
2017-09-08
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Number of civil servants working on reserved matters: FOI release

The number of Scottish Government civil servants that are currently working on policy areas that are reserved to the UK Government under the devolution settlement. I would also like to ask what broadly specific work civil servants are carrying out on policy in reserved policy areas and what the Scottish Government rule...

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.25(1)
Published
2017-09-06
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparatory work towards Independence Referendum: FOI release

'Please state what preparatory work has been completed by the Scottish government since June 8th 2017 towards the holding of a new referendum on Scottish Independence. This might include any reports completed by the government, or meetings held by ministers on the issue of independence preparations. Please provide a ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.30
Published
2017-08-30
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Permanent Secretary's appointment and salary including any bonuses: FOI release

1. Who appoints the Permanent Secretary 2. Who appointed Leslie Evans 3. Was there a formal application/interview/decision process 4. Who decides if the Permanent Secretary receives a bonus 5. Has Leslie Evans received a bonus since she has been appointed

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence ministers s.4
Published
2017-08-25
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Names of special advisers involved in FOI responses: FOI release

The name and role (preferably job title + department) of all senior civil servants, special advisers, press/communication officers, ministers and parliamentary liaison officers involved in answering the following FOI requests: FOI/15/01557, FOI/15/01791, FOI/15/01977, FOI/16/01644, FOI/16/02008, FOI/16/02132, FOI/17/00...

FOI partially withheld 65 score correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.30 s.17(1)
Published
2017-08-25
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic

Planning permission appeal 865 South Street Glasgow: EIR release

I confirm that we have responded to points one and two of your request on 02 August 2017 as these were matters relevant to the appeal itself. You requested the following at point three: A copy of the recent request from the Scottish Ministers in which they returned the appeal and requested further information from th...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2017-08-23
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Ministerial briefing for meeting of Joint Ministerial Committee: FOI release

The briefing given to Mike Russell and Nicola Sturgeon ahead of meetings of the Joint Ministerial Council from 23 June 2016.

FOI partially withheld 65 score correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.3(2) s.38(1)
Published
2017-07-25
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Brexit, Public sector

Work carried out relating to an independence referendum: FOI release

I would like to submit an FOI to ask if any policy work was being carried out by Scottish Government civil servants on an independent Scotland or on work related to an independence referendum from: 1 October 2014 to 5 May 2016 5 May 2016 to 23 June 2016 24 June 2016 to 12 March 2017 13 March 2017 to 27 June 2017 From ...

FOI unclear 50 score correspondence ministers spending
Published
2017-07-17
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Ministerial correspondence related to Brexit vote implications: FOI release

Any correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government, Northern Ireland Executive, Arlene Foster or Michelle O'Neill regarding the JMC, in particualar, correspondence from 24 June 2016, concerning anything related to the Brexit vote and its implications. The Ministers in question would be the Firs...

FOI released 95 score correspondence ministers 14 attachments
Published
2017-07-12
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Brexit, Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence between First Minister's Office and Arlene Foster: FOI release

Correspondence between the First Minister's Office and Arlene Foster from 11 January 2016, including any minutes of meeting.

FOI released 95 score correspondence ministers meetings 4 attachments
Published
2017-07-12
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector