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

Supreme Court decision on the independence referendum: FOI release

Has there been any change in the policy in relation to the allocation of resources and support to Ministers for the purposes of developing the case for Scottish independence in light of the decision in last week’s Supreme Court case? If so, what is that change? If not, please set out the legal and policy basis upon whi...

FOI released 100 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.30 s.5 s.7 s.51 s.1 s.14 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-16
Reference
202200332779
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Constitution Secretary and Sinn Fein leadership: FOI release

All items of information in all correspondence between the Constitution Secretary, or his office, and Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald, or her office, and all information in all correspondence between the Constitution Secretary, or his office, and Sinn Fein Vice President and Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill, or h...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-15
Reference
202200300393
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Documents which mention the Scottish Government's statistics publication Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS): FOI release

Please provide any documents either prepared or received by the Constitutional Futures Division, and which mention the Scottish Government's statistics publication Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS), from 1st May 2021 - date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-12
Reference
FOI/202300373203
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Independence Referendum Bill Supreme Court Correspondence: FOI release

Any correspondence between special advisers, senior civil servants within either the constitution or legal directorate, and ministers within the Scottish Government and SNP party officials around the Supreme Court reference of the independence referendum bill. This should cover the calendar year of 2022 and exclude MSP...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200332044
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Question testing for proposed independence referendum: FOI release

All correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) and meetings between the Scottish Government and the Electoral Commission regarding the testing of a referendum question for a proposed Scottish independence...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) 24 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200304293
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

All meetings in which Ross Greer MSP and John Swinney MSP were present since January 1, 2022: FOI release

Information relating to all meetings held in which Ross Greer MSP and John Swinney MSP were present since January 1, 2022, including, dates, times, locations, minutes and actions resulting from the meeting. Please exclude all Scottish Parliament committee meetings and meetings of the whole Scottish Parliament.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.28 s.29 s.30 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200328720
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Discussions of independence referendum and the Supreme Court in cabinet meetings: FOI release

On how many occasions in (i) The calendar year 2022 (ii) the financial year 2022 2023 has the Scottish Government Cabinet discussed another independence referendum at meetings of the Cabinet? On how many occasions did the Cabinet discuss the Supreme Court at meetings of the Cabinet?

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200330040
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Background information on S6W-11314: FOI release

Please provide all internal memos, advice, procedural notes and other communications prepared in response to question S6W-11314, asked by Gordon MacDonald on 30 September and answered by George Adam on 3 October.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-07
Reference
202200323491
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications between the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information team and Michael Matheson: FOI release

Copies of communications between the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information team and Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport. Please include communications with his office and his Special Advisers, and restrict the search the dates between 4th April 2022 and 15th November 2022

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-07
Reference
202200330329
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Currency meeting regarding updated prospectus for independence: FOI release

In May 2022, a meeting was scheduled to be held at Bute House which was described as “a focused policy discussion about currency to test in detail the propositions in this area which are to be addressed in the updated prospectus for independence.” The meeting was originally scheduled for 9th May 2022 but appears to ha...

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence meetings 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-05
Reference
FOI/202300373215
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Lord Advocate statement to Parliament on her referral to the Supreme Court on the matter of an Independence Bill being within the competence of the Scottish Parliament: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Lord Advocate from June 2022 in relation to requests for the Lord Advocate to provide a statement to Parliament on her referral to the Supreme Court on the matter of an independence Bill being within the competence of the Scottish Parliament.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-30
Reference
202200309710
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meeting between Jamie Hepburn and Alan Renwick from UCL: FOI release

Can you release any briefings, minutes and correspondence relating to the meeting between Jamie Hepburn and Alan Renwick from UCL on 27/04/23?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-30
Reference
FOI/202300369081
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost of First Minister's Christmas card and staff members working on independence referendum: FOI release

How much of taxpayers' money was used to print the FM’s Christmas card this year? How much of taxpayers' money was spent on the 29 civil servants' wages that were working on the Independence Referendum and what they are being re employed to work on now?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-29
Reference
202200334524
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Fixed penalty notices: FOI release

In your email, you requested the following information: I am interested in the decision to include Fixed Notice Penalties (FPNs) as a penalty for breaching the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, and the decisionmaking process behind this. Please provide copies of any correspon...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings s.20 s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200307546
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Operation Unicorn: FOI release

The costs of planning for Operation Unicorn (plans to be enacted if the Queen were to die in Scotland) to the Scottish Government, broken down by budget line. Any correspondence sent by Scottish Government ministers or officials referencing the Queen or Operation Unicorn between September 9 of this year and September 1...

FOI transferred 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts spending s.12
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200320839
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

David Lonsdale and Ewan MacDonald-Russell of the Scottish Retail Consortium, relating to their input in Building a New Scotland: FOI release

Any correspondence, meeting minutes, briefings or notes, between the Scottish Government and David Lonsdale and Ewan MacDonald-Russell of the Scottish Retail Consortium, relating to their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper, as referenced in the FOI ...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200331354
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Press conference at Bute House about Supreme Court ruling: FOI release

All correspondence between ministers, special advisers and civil servants regarding the prospect of holding a press conference at Bute House on 23/11/22 about the Supreme Court ruling. This should include emails, text, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Messenger or other electronic communications, and handwritten notes.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200332116
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Laptops and bicycles pledge & funds for legal challenge to Court of Appeal: FOI release

The provision of laptops and bicycles would be offered once you were re-elected. Many months later this has not transpired. Can you confirm as to why this manifesto promise has not been followed through? Also when is this likely to happen? The Court of Appeal declined the SNPs appeal. How much did this legal challenge ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200332970
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Contracts issued to print material for Independence: FOI release

Contracts that were issued to print any material for Independence but now cancelled. Was any payments made to companies in advance of printing any material, if so what was the cost.

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence contracts spending
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202300338284
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper: FOI release

Any correspondence, meeting minutes, briefings or notes, between the Scottish Government and Elaine Lorimer of Revenue Scotland, relating to their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper, as referenced in the FOI response reference 202200325598.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200331391
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

£20m independence fund: FOI release

What is the Scottish Government now doing with its £20m independence fund due to the Supreme Court ruling? If they are using it for independence how are you justifying it considering the Supreme Court ruled the government cannot legally legislate for a referendum? Any correspondence (including emails, WhatsApps) betwee...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200331939
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice on independence referendum: FOI release

The amount spent on legal advice regarding the Scottish Government’s prospectus for an independent Scotland between 07 September 2021 and the date of response to this inquiry? Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, brief...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
202200287065
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Citizenship independence prospectus: FOI release

1 Could you supply all research undertaken by the Scottish Government so far this year on the following issues with independence. The fiscal plan How will state pensions be paid for? What will an independent Scotland have to do to gain EU membership? How will the border between Scotland and England work if Scotland re...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
FOI/202300377833
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector