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
685 matching releases

State pension and benefit payment responsibilities: FOI release

1. The source content and date of the secret cabinet briefing paper from John Swinney Finance Secretary (at the time) that was subsequently leaked. 2. Since 1 January 2012, any briefing papers, communications etc that clarified or otherwise that Scotland, if independent, would be responsible for the payment of pensions...

FOI not held 70 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.3 s.29(1) s.30 s.17(1) 4 attachments
Published
2022-04-07
Reference
FOI/202200281407
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparations for a future independence referendum: FOI release

1. How many hours are being used each week/month by Scottish Government civil servants working on preparations for an independence referendum and on preparation for independence? 2. What is the cost in salaries per week/month of this work? 3. Which departments of the Scottish Government has each individual civil servan...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2022-03-24
Reference
FOI/202200281545
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Independence referendum Section 30 order: FOI release

Since the independence referendum in 2014, the dates that the Scottish Government has formally requested a Section 30 order to allow them the power to hold an independence referendum on the subject of Scotland becoming an independent country.

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30
Published
2022-03-23
Reference
FOI/202200280916
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding preparation of prospectus for an independent Scotland: FOI Review

Your original request asked for: 1) The number of full time equivalent staff in the Scottish Government who are currently, or are planned to begin work on the "prospectus for an independent Scotland", as mentioned in the Programme for Government on September 7. 2) Any internal correspondence sent from or to the First M...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.20(5) s.20(6) s.17 s.30 s.38 s.34(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-10
Reference
FOI/202200270532 Review of 202100239831
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparations for referendum on Scottish independence: FOI release

What level of resource is the Scottish Government providing for referendum and independence planning, communications and public engagement during 2022 and 2023? Please include specific information on: Number of Scottish Government officials (full-time equivalent), job grades and cost; Freelance, Legal and Consultancy ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1)
Published
2022-03-09
Reference
FOI/202200278056
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Lord Advocate Scottish Cabinet meetings attendance dates: FOI release

1. "Please list all the dates when the current Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain QC, attended Scottish Government Cabinet. Please provide this information from 6 May 2021 to the present date." 2. "When the Lord Advocate has attended Cabinet, the Cabinet’s agenda for that meeting as well as the reason the Lord Advocate was in...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30
Published
2022-03-03
Reference
FOI/202200276393
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparations for a second independence referendum: FOI release

Please may you provide me with: The name of the unit within the Scottish Government working on preparations for a second independence referendum. The budget allocated to the unit for the rest of the parliamentary term, and if possible, could this be broken down by year. The date on which the unit was established. How ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-01
Reference
FOI/202200275282
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet meeting attendance statistics: 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 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2022-03-01
Reference
FOI/202200276397
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparatory work on referendum on Scottish independence: FOI release

During a television interview yesterday, the First Minister said (of a referendum on Scottish independence) “The preparatory work for that is underway right now. We haven’t decided on the date that we would seek to introduce the Bill. We’ll decide that in the coming weeks." "But my intention is to take the steps that w...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-02-24
Reference
FOI/202200275025
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

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

Scottish Government compliance with specific acts: FOI release

1. Does the Scottish government comply with the bill of exchange act 1882?? 2. Does the Scottish government have the slavery act 2015 in its policy?? 3. Is the council tax a lawful contract or a legislative statute?? 4. As a sovereign scot see treaty of Arbroath confirmed by first minister Nicola.Sturgeon.msp@parliamen...

FOI not held 45 score 85 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.17(1) s.2
Published
2022-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100242704
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

Independence prospectus post budget announcement: FOI release

In September, 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 4th November 2021, I submitted a Freedom of Information request which asked for informat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-27
Reference
FOI/202100264359
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Programme for Government, 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

Freedom of Information (FOI) statistics from 2018 onwards: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs dealt with by the Scottish Government in a) 2021 b) 2020 c) 2019 d) 2018. 2. The number of FOIs not responded to within the 28 day time frame in a) 2021 b) 2020 c) 2019 d) 2018. 3. The number of FOIs not responded to within 20 days of receiving confirmation following a clarification request a) 202...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.10(1) s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2022-01-12
Reference
FOI/202100256052
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding paragraph 20 of the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group Cooperation Agreement: FOI release

"Copies of all correspondence held relating to Paragraph 20 of the Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group Cooperation Agreement, otherwise known as the 'no surprises' rule."

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.29 s.38 4 attachments
Published
2022-01-06
Reference
FOI/202100250429
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Unique correspondence logged between April 2020 and March 2021: FOI release

Please share with me the total number of unique correspondence cases logged between 1st April 2020 and 31st March 2021 and the percentage of these which were answered on time (only where there is a mandated response time and so this stat will already be tracked and available) for the following areas: Data protection r...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.12
Published
2021-12-16
Reference
FOI/202100249639
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

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

Responsibilities and roles of MSPs and Scottish National Party (SNP) MPs: FOI release

“The responsibilities of MSPs and SNP MPs in relation to responding to constituents emails. Are they duty bound to respond to constituents correspondence or is this something that they can totally ignore if, example, they don't like the questions being asked? What course of action can a constituent take if several emai...

FOI not held 40 score 10 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2021-11-10
Reference
FOI/202100245973
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Green agreement: FOI release

1. Correspondence between the Scottish Government and Patrick Harvie on the Green agreement and his subsequent Ministerial appointment from 7 May 2021 to 31 August 2021 (our reference – 202100239912) 2. Correspondence between the Scottish Government and Lorna Slater on the Green agreement and her subsequent Ministerial...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-11-09
Reference
FOI/202100239912
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence received regarding Scottish independence: FOI release

1. How many emails or letters have the Scottish Government received since 7 May 2021 to the date of responding to this request, wherein the subject of Scottish Independence and/or a second independence referendum is a topic covered. Please outline how many of these correspondence are either in favour of Scottish Indepe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.32 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-08
Reference
FOI/202100240474
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

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