Scottish Government FOI Index

22,640releases indexed

40,478attachments found

29.5avg calendar days

8,386partially withheld

2016-06-13oldest in sample

2026-09-02newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,386 unclear 7,405 not held 3,239 released 1,581 already published 700 cost limit 627 clarification 372 withheld 249 transferred 81

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5149 s.20 4430 s.34(1) 3727 s.39(2) 3593 s.30 2994 s.17(1) 2922 s.25(1) 2520 s.10(4) 2060 s.11(2) 1619 s.29(1) 1223 s.2 1222 s.3 958

Timeline

2026-09 1 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,312 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 978 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 961 releases · 30.9 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 737 releases · 39.7 avg days Constitution Directorate 702 releases · 35.9 avg days Population Health Directorate 665 releases · 28.5 avg days People Directorate 657 releases · 25.6 avg days

Clear

702 matching releases

Cost of independence court case so far: FOI release

1. How much has it cost the Scottish Government to take the independence bill to the Supreme court so far? 2. Breakdown of these costs? 3. Any estimation from yourselves about how much the entire Supreme court case will cost the Scottish government by the end of the case?”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-10-05
Reference: FOI/202200312762
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

External legal advice incurred relating to Referendum: FOI release

1) The cost of all external legal advice incurred by the Scottish Government producing the Lord Advocate’s written case to the Supreme Court on the question of whether a referendum on Scottish independence relates to reserved matters. 2) If possible, the lawyers/firms in receipt of the funds the Scottish Government pro...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.2 s.27 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-10-05
Reference: FOI/202200312733
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Taxpayers money for independence work: FOI release

How much of the £20million of taxpayers money has been spent to date plus what is the quote for all the legal work you are commissioning for the supreme court hearing?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.17(1) s.27 2 attachments

Published: 2022-10-05
Reference: FOI/202200312521
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information on Independence Papers: FOI release

1. How much did the independence in the modern world papers cost and breakdown of this cost? 2. What design agency did you use to produce this paper and the second paper in the series renewing democracy through independence? 3. How many civil servants worked on the second independence paper renewing democracy through...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.27(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2022-10-04
Reference: FOI/202200312760
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

The number of Cabinet meetings attended by Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater since their appointment as Ministers to the Scottish Government: FOI release

1. The number of Cabinet meetings attended by Patrick Harvie since his appointment as a Minister of the Scottish Government. Please provide the dates and reasons for his attendance. 2. The number of Cabinet meetings attended by Lorna Slater since her appointment as a Minister of the Scottish Government. Please provide...

FOI unclear 50 score 5 working days correspondence ministers meetings

Published: 2022-10-03
Reference: FOI/202200316256
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparation of independence prospectus papers: FOI release

I would like to request the following information please in relation to the Independence in the Modern wide world white paper along with any other documents produced to coincide with it. I understand 1 Senior official and 19 others worked on the project. Can you provide the following please. 1) The total accumulative a...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.6

Published: 2022-09-27
Reference: FOI/202200311764
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

2022 Census form statistics: FOI release

"Please can you provide me with the following: 1. The number of completed census forms for 2022. 2. The number of outstanding census forms as at this date. 3. The final date for census forms to be returned. 4. The number of fines (if any) issued for non-completion of a census form. 5. The number of these fines which ha...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence s.17(1)

Published: 2022-09-27
Reference: FOI/202200314131
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

MSP and Ministerial salary entitlements: FOI release

"The annual figure that N Sturgeon has drawn as her salary from 2008/09 till April 2022. ie has the full salary for her roll been taken and taxed or has she only been paid her 2008/09 salary each year. Also a breakdown of what public Ministers that have "made available £250k" from their pay packet, was it taxed before ...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending

Published: 2022-09-27
Reference: FOI/202200312722
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Money and tax, Public sector

Electoral Services in Scotland nationality choice option: FOI release

"If Electoral Services in Scotland allow the choice of "Scottish", as opposed to British, as an option when registering to vote for elections at all levels".

FOI unclear 50 score 6 working days correspondence

Published: 2022-09-22
Reference: FOI/202200317318
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

The ten comparator countries in building a New Scotland: FOI release

On the 14th June 2022 the Scottish Government published the first in a series of papers called ‘Building a New Scotland’. The paper ‘Independence in the Modern World. Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why not Scotland?’ is described as setting out ‘a detailed analysis of the UKs performance across a range of economic and soc...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.4 s.5 s.9 s.10 s.11 s.12 s.17(1)

Published: 2022-09-05
Reference: FOI/202200311070
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Road worker fatalities or serious injuries on the network: EIR release

A copy of the text of the case filed by the Lord Advocate in relation to the Reference to the Supreme Court made by her on 28 June 2022.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-08-31
Reference: FOI/202200314022
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

All correspondence regarding the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill: FOI release

The following information: “1) All correspondence (including meetings, emails, text/WhatsApp messages and phone calls) between any of the First Minister (and her office), the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (and his office) and the Lord Advocate (and her office) regarding the Scott...

FOI released 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending

Published: 2022-08-29
Reference: FOI/202200308439
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Constitutional Futures Division: FOI release

A breakdown of the monthly headcount in the Constitutional Futures Division for each month from July 2020 to July 2022. For each month, please also confirm how many staff were employed in the division at each pay grade level and also what the total wage cost of the division was for each month.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-08-25
Reference: FOI/202200311928
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence with Lord Advocate regarding the Supreme Court: FOI release

1) Any correspondence, including meetings, notes, memos, agendas, ministerial briefings and minutes, between the Scottish Government and the office of the Lord Advocate on the topic of the Lord Advocate's reference to the Supreme Court between January 1, 2022 and June 28, 2022. This should include any emails, letters, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-08-22
Reference: FOI/202200312193
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Renewing Democracy through Independence: FOI release

1) The number of civil servants who worked on the Renewing Democracy through Independence paper from the Scottish Government published today. 2) The number of printed copies of this paper handed out at the launch event on 14 July 2022 and all costs to the Scottish Government associated with this launch event.

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)

Published: 2022-08-16
Reference: FOI/202200311120
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Prospectus for Independence: FOI release

In September 2021, the First Minister announced that Scottish Government civil servants would start work on a detailed prospectus for independence (as reported here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-58478187). On 21st May this year, the First Minister stated: 'we will shortly begin publishing an...

FOI withheld 55 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.29(1)

Published: 2022-08-10
Reference: FOI/202200302125
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Independence referendum and prospectus resources: FOI release

Given the rapidly increasing likely resources now being employed on another independent referendum, please supply me with exact details of that resource and the expected total budget, the Scottish Government is providing for the First Minister's referendum and independence planning, communications and public engagement...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2022-08-02
Reference: FOI/202200308344
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

E-mails sent to and received from Sinn Fein: FOI release

"I request for each calendar or financial year for which records are held: 1 The number of emails sent to @sinnfein.ie (Sinn Fein party) email addresses 2. The number of emails received from @sinnfein.ie (Sinn Fein) email addresses"

FOI unclear 50 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence

Published: 2022-08-01
Reference: FOI/202200306586
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications regarding Sinn Fein visit to Bute House: FOI release

I would like to see any email correspondence sent from May 6 2022 to May 20 from Bute House staff relating to the Sinn Fein visit to Bute House on May 20.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-28
Reference: FOI/202200302139
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

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

1. How many civil servants worked on these documents and for how long and what the total cost of this was? 2. How many special advisers worked on these papers and what exactly their role was. I would also like to know if any of the special advisers have authority over civil servants. 3. Has the advice of the Permanen...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.3 s.17(1)

Published: 2022-07-27
Reference: FOI/202200306418
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

FOI response times: FOI release

“The mean, median and maximum response times for an FOI to the Scottish Government over the last 12 months. Also over the last 12 months, the mean, median and maximum response time for an FOI to the Scottish Government lodged by an email address with an @parliament.scot domain. Also over the last 12 months, the mean, m...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.12

Published: 2022-07-27
Reference: FOI/202200306900
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Updated version of Bill Handbook: FOI release

Does the Bill Handbook from 2011 remains the most recent version, and if not, please provide a copy of the most recent version of that document or the nearest equivalent.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-25
Reference: FOI/202200306018
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Referendum Budget: FOI release

The following information: (1) A breakdown of how that £20 million was calculated - including all documents which shows how the figure was calculated and all details of how the money would be predicted to be spent. In other words, all documents which show the rationale of the final figure. (2) All correspondence betw...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.25(1) s.29(1) s.17 s.17(1)

Published: 2022-07-25
Reference: FOI/202200303499
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information on FOI requests received by the Government: FOI release

1) The total number of FOI requests received by the Scottish Ministers from requesters named Conor Matchett since January 1, 2021; 2) The number of those FOI requests responded to within the 20 day legal requirement; 3) For those FOIs which were subject to an internal review request, how many were responded to within...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.3 s.4 s.5 s.25(1)

Published: 2022-07-25
Reference: FOI/202200305116
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

FOI reviews: FOI release

For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government are reviewed. For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI reviews to the Scottish Government are partially or fully upheld.

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-22
Reference: FOI/202200306902
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector