Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

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

Public buildings flag policy: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence with the following bodies about the Scottish Government's policy on hoisting flags on public buildings between January 2016 and 23 January 2018: i. Historic Environment Scotland ii. The British Army

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence s.38 s.17 8 attachments
Published
2018-02-27
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

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

Protocols for Royal Banner, Saltire and Union Flags: FOI release

All emails by and to staff and senior officials of the "Protocol and Honours Team" from November and December 2017, and January 2018 up to the end of Friday 26th of January which relates to the following: Flag flying protocols. The Saltire Flag. The Union Flag. The Royal Banner (Lion Rampant). This should include eve...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence s.38 20 attachments
Published
2018-02-27
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

Number of Freedom of Information requests received: FOI release

In 2017: What was the number of Freedom of Information requests received by the Scottish Government? What was the number of Freedom of Information requests refused by the Scottish Government? What was the average response time by answering a Freedom of Information request? The amount of received requests answered w...

FOI not held 45 score correspondence spending s.16 s.12(1) s.17(1) s.18 s.10 s.14 s.19
Published
2018-02-14
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
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

Counting Officer accounts during the Scottish Independence Referendum: FOI release

I assume in the Independence Referendum that some of the Counting Officer claims were audited. Was there a protocol for that audit? Was it just a check that all the claims were plausibly supported or did the audit of a claim involve looking at the accounts used for election spending? Specifically, where a CO claimed an...

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence spending s.4
Published
2018-02-01
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

Aberdeen Counting Officer expenses during the 2014 Referendum: FOI release

To see all the annexes to Form F (Polling Station Costs) of the expenses claim made by the Counting Officer for the City of Aberdeen in the Scottish Independence Referendum held in 2014.

FOI unclear 75 score correspondence spending 2 attachments
Published
2018-01-12
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FOI requests declined due to unreasonable costs: FOI release

In each of the last three years, what proportion of FOI requests made to the Scottish Government and its associated agencies have been declined on the basis that fulfilling the requests would incur unreasonable costs?

FOI cost limit 45 score correspondence spending s.12
Published
2018-01-03
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Volume and processing of Freedom of Information requests: FOI release

You asked for: The number of Freedom of Information requests replied to within 20 working days The percentage of Freedom of Information requests replied to within 20 working days The number of Freedom of Information requests replied to within the statutory deadline The percentage of Freedom of Information requests rep...

FOI not held 45 score correspondence spending s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2017-12-22
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FOI requests submitted by BBC Scotland each year: FOI release

How many Freedom of Information Requests BBC Scotland submit to the Scottish Government &/or Parliament each year, for as many years as records are available & the overall or average cost associated with handling these requests.

FOI not held 45 score correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2017-12-22
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
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

FOI requests that carried charges of over £50: FOI release

Within the following years how many FOI inquiries did you receive and what percentage of these carried a financial invoice/charge? The years being 2014,2015,2016,2017 (to date). Regarding the FOI inquiries during 2014,2015,2016, 2017 (to date) confirm the total Foi handled is as per the answers above and advise what pe...

FOI unclear 50 score correspondence spending
Published
2017-12-12
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

Implications of Foreign Jurisdictions (EU) in Scotland: FOI release

A) does the Scottish Government recognise the declassified documents released under the 30 year rule such as; 'The Kilmuir Letter' in 1960 and; 'FCO 30/1048 in 1971 - 73 as being factual?; B) Since the Maastricht Treaty was given effect in 1992, whereby under Article 8 of that Treaty the subjects of the United Kingd...

FOI not held 45 score correspondence briefings s.17(1)
Published
2017-11-13
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

Summary of Manifesto commitments and pre-election monitoring documents: FOI release

You asked for material related to a previous release under FoI/17/02104 Publications FOI 02104, specifically: The SNP, Liberal Democrat and Green sections of the document "Scottish Election 2016 - Summary of Manifesto Commitments"; The sections for those parties from the monitoring document which listed the policy ann...

FOI released 95 score correspondence 4 attachments
Published
2017-11-09
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Permanent Secretary correspondence to Scottish political party leaders: FOI release

You asked "for the minutes of meeting and correspondence held between Leslie Evans and the leaders of the political parties in The Scottish Parliament from 25 November 2015 to the 10 May 2016".

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence meetings s.38(1) s.17(1) 22 attachments
Published
2017-11-09
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
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