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

Meeting between Pensions Policy Institute and the former Minister for Independence: FOI release

All documentation (including agendas, presentation materials, minutes, notes, or briefings) relating to a meeting which took place on 16th January 2024 between the Pensions Policy Institute and the then Minister for Independence, Jamie Hepburn MSP, during the Minister’s visit to London.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 4 attachments
Published
2025-01-17
Reference
FOI/202400441617
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence on the cancellation of former First Minister's speech: FOI release

How much did it cost to cancel Humza Yousaf's independence speech on April 26 and could you supply all email correspondence and briefings held surrounding this cancellation, as well as a breakdown of costs?

FOI not held 70 score 6 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-01-09
Reference
FOI/202400438810
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Documentation released in relation to Appeal Decision 143/2024: FOI release

This request concerns the information which the Scottish Government was required to disclose to an applicant by this decision of the Scottish Information Commissioner: https://www.foi.scot/decision-1432024 Please send me all of the information which was disclosed to the applicant due to the above decision.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 15 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-26
Reference
FOI/202400436001
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Independence referendum speeches prepared for former First Minister: FOI release

Please provide any communication, drafts and information relating to speeches prepared for former FM Alex Salmond for the outcome of the independence referendum in 2014. Please include information on potential speeches prepared for the outcome of independence.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-25
Reference
FOI/202400436354
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Constitutional Futures Division documents that include the phrase "starting fiscal position": FOI release

For the period 17th October 2022 - date, please provide all documentation and correspondence involving the Constitutional Futures Division which includes the phrase "starting fiscal position".

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-20
Reference
FOI/202400435999
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications regarding publication of updated independence prospectus papers: FOI Review

Original request - 202200301428 (2) Any internal correspondence discussing the plans to publish the prospectus, and any comms handling documents or discussions around the prospectus.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 619 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-18
Reference
FOI/202200309607 Review of 202200301428
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications regarding publication of updated independence prospectus papers: FOI Appeal

Original request - 202200309607 1) In an essay for The National, the First Minister states "we will shortly begin publishing an updated prospectus on the opportunities that independence can offer Scotland". Please provide the publication timetable for this prospectus.

FOI released 100 score 608 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-18
Reference
FOI/202200309607 Appeal of 202200301428
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Speeches on the economic case for independence: FOI release

2. Could you tell me what is the current plan for the "series of speeches to be delivered this year that will expand on the economic case for independence." -https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-independence-industrial-policy/ 3. Could you supply all documentation held about these speeches, including corresponde...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-04
Reference
FOI/202400433495
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister meeting with Deputy Prime Minister regarding the Winter Fuel Payment: FOI Review

Orginal Request 202400426988 All meeting agendas, notes and information referencing the Winter Fuel Payment from the meeting held between First Minister John Swinney and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner on 15 August 2024 in Edinburgh.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.28(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.28 s.38 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-22
Reference
FOI/202400431924 Review of 202400426988
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Keir Starmer and Scottish Government correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence between the Scottish Government and Keir Starmer, including minutes/notes from meetings and briefings notes, plus emails, from the last three months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.28 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-21
Reference
FOI/202400431930
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Meetings between Constitutional Futures Division and other organisations: FOI release

For the period 18th June 2023 – date, please provide a list of all meetings (in person or virtual) between civil servants working for the Constitutional Futures Division and persons or organisations outside the Scottish Government. Please include the dates on which each meeting took place.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-16
Reference
FOI/202400430631
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information on civil servants working in the Constitutional Futures Division: FOI release

1. Please confirm the number of civil servants currently on the unit’s payroll. 2. Please also confirm, in list form, what material has gone from any civil servants on the units payroll to Special Advisors or Ministers since 1 July 2024. I do not want copies of documents, I just require a list of what has been sent to...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings
Published
2024-10-14
Reference
FOI/202400430106
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Constitution Futures Division staff numbers and funding: FOI release

1. Please set out how many civil servants per salary band worked within the Constitution Futures Division at any point for each year including 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. 2. Please set out how much SG funding/budget has been allocated to that division’s work for each of those years.

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2024-10-14
Reference
FOI/202400429584
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons documentation, Building a New Scotland papers costs and the Scottish Government's ‘route back into EU’ analysis: FOI release

3. Could you supply any documentation held by the Scottish Government about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), from the last six months? 4. How much money has been spent on EU languages summaries for the Building a New Scotland set of papers, with a breakdown of these costs? 5. Could you supply ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-11
Reference
FOI/202400429546
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Building a New Scotland and applying for a Section 30: FOI release

4. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government about the continuation of the Building a New Scotland series of papers between May 15 2024 and August 15 2024, including correspondence (internal as well), briefings, policy notes and minutes/notes from meetings? 5. Could you supply all documentatio...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-08
Reference
FOI/202400427160
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cost of the Building a New Scotland series and the number of staff in the Constitutional Futures Division: FOI release

1) Since 2011, an annual breakdown of costs associated with the production of the White Paper on Independence or Independence Papers as part of the Building a New Scotland Series. 2) Over the same time period, an annual breakdown of the number of Civil Servants working in the Government's "Scottish Government’s Consti...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.3 s.17(1)
Published
2024-10-04
Reference
FOI/202400425685
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Money spent on third-party or legal costs connected to independence: FOI release

Since 2011, the amount of money spent by the Scottish Government on third-party or legal costs connected to in any way (advisory, consultancy or legal advice or other) to any question of policy around independence. This should include but not be limited to - consultancy connected to the Building a New Scotland papers, ...

FOI released 75 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2024-10-04
Reference
FOI/202400425678
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Stone of Destiny correspondence: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government about or mentioning the Stone of Destiny, between February 1 2024 and May 1 2024? Can this include email correspondence, briefings, minutes from meetings etc?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.3(2) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-04
Reference
FOI/202400425757
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish independence discussions with the UK Government: FOI release

Details of any discussions between the Scottish Government and the new UK Government regarding Scottish independence, the possibility of a referendum or further devolution. Has the Scottish Government been in contact with the UK Government regarding any of the issues above? If so, can I please see the e-mails, letters...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 12 working days correspondence ministers meetings 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-04
Reference
FOI/202400426995
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister meeting with Deputy Prime Minister regarding the Winter Fuel Payment: FOI release

All meeting agendas, notes and information referencing the Winter Fuel Payment from the meeting held between First Minister John Swinney and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner on 15 August 2024 in Edinburgh.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.28(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.38 s.28 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-04
Reference
FOI/202400426988
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish independence briefing notes: FOI release

Any official briefing note to the First Minister and/or the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution in the calendar year 2024, which includes the phrase "Scottish independence" and/or "referendum".

FOI cost limit 70 score 13 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.30 s.29(1) s.36(1) s.12 4 attachments
Published
2024-10-03
Reference
FOI/202400425681
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Civil servants working to develop the proposed independence prospectus: FOI release

The number of civil servants currently working to develop the proposed independence prospectus. The pay grade of each staff member and the most up to date pay scales.

FOI unclear 50 score 3 working days correspondence
Published
2024-09-24
Reference
FOI/202400426994
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister and Prime Minister meeting briefing notes: FOI release

All briefing notes prepared for the First Minister, regarding his meeting with the Prime Minister on July 7, 2024. Any records of this meeting, such as formal minutes and/or informal updates/readouts sent on any platform.

FOI withheld 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.38 s.28 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-24
Reference
FOI/202400423751
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector