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

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

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

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

Policy meetings regarding potential Independence Referendum: FOI release

I am looking for a list of meetings that the First Minister has attended with civil servants and external stakeholders regarding a) a potential Independence Referendum and b) policy issues relating to the case for Independence between August 2021 and the present day. Can you please provide a list of dates, the attendee...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-20
Reference
FOI/202200306028
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications regarding crown consent provisions in Scottish legislation discussions: FOI Review

1) Copies of any internal Scottish government memos, briefing papers or emails concerning the question of changing the handling of crown consent in legislation and/or the way the crown consent provisions are communicated to MSPs, including but not exclusively to and from the Scottish government ministers and their spec...

FOI already published 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.29(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-20
Reference
FOI/202200278004 Review of 202200270508
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information pertaining to services of Ethics Advisor: FOI release

Does the Scottish Cabinet Ministers retain the services of an Ethics Advisor? If so, who is that person, and how much are they paid?

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2022-07-18
Reference
FOI/202200308037
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Breakdown of legal advice provided to Ministers: FOI release

The number of times [not the actual advice] that the Law Officers of the Scots Govt have published [i.e. made publicly available ] formal legal advice given to Ministers acting for the SCOTTISH GOVT on any particular matter that has arisen & publicly released since the inception of Devolved Govt in Scotland ? Corollary...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.36 s.29(1) s.12
Published
2022-06-22
Reference
202200300906
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministers and the Law Officers salary: FOI release

Information relating to Ministerial pay.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-06-22
Reference
FOI/202200276229
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Scottish Budget

Preparations and costs of Independence Prospectus: 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 not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-05-05
Reference
FOI/202200283353
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

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

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

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

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