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

Scottish Parliament election safety advice provided to Ministers: FOI release

Copies of advice given to Ministers on the safety of holding the Scottish Parliament election in May as planned, during the Coronavirus pandemic. The request should cover communications sent after 23 December 2020.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.25 6 attachments
Published
2021-04-19
Reference
FOI/202100154147
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Correspondence received by Permanent Secretary relating to second referendum: FOI release

From 1 October 2020 to present: Copies of correspondence (emails, briefings, attachments, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls, memos and/or otherwise) from and/or to Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans regarding Scottish independence and/or a second independence referendum.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-16
Reference
FOI/202100164037
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

EU flag on Scottish Government buildings: FOI release

Information regarding the flying of the EU flag on Scottish Government buildings.

FOI withheld 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.30 s.2
Published
2021-04-12
Reference
FOI/202100163181
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Redeployment of Freedom of Information Unit staff due to COVID-19: FOI release

1. For each month commencing January 2020 to date, please provide the total number of FTE staff working in the FOI unit. 2. All correspondence discussing and enacting the decision to redeploy FOI Unit staff to Covid critical roles. The correspondence should be specifically between the following two groups (A) Ministers...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.17(1)
Published
2021-03-30
Reference
FOI/202100155415
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Four nations meetings attended by the First Minister: FOI release

1) Any minutes, agendas, briefing notes, notes taken by attendees, from four nations meetings attended by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon since January 1. 2) The location, time, date, and attendance list of each meeting, including special advisers and civil servants (anonymised if required).

FOI already published 80 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25 s.29(1) s.38 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-24
Reference
FOI/202100151001
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

James Hamilton QC independent investigation: FOI release

1 - An Independent Investigation currently being led by James Hamilton QC is investigating possible breaches of the ministerial code by the First Minister. If he concludes that the FM did not knowingly mislead parliament as well as did not break other parts of the MC then I presume that the First Minister would not res...

FOI released 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.1 s.25(1)
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/20210016129
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

All written evidence to James Hamilton QC's investigation: FOI release

- All written evidence to James Hamilton's QC investigation into the FM under the ministerial code. This includes evidence from the FM, her chief of staff Liz Lloyd and any other individuals within the Scottish Government who have submitted evidence.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100161098
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Responsibilities for specific Ministerial positions: FOI release

1. A copy of the responsibilities of each of the following ministerial positions as at 16th December 2019. The First Minister Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Minister for Public Health and Sport 2. If not included in the descriptions above, a copy of the responsibilities of whichever minister(s) or cabinet sec...

FOI unclear 80 score 1 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202100152438
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Briefings referencing a Section 30 order: FOI release

Copies of all briefings prepared by civil servants which include reference to a Section 30 order. On 5 January 2021, you clarified that your request was information referencing a Section 30 order in the context of an independence referendum.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30 s.29(1)
Published
2021-03-08
Reference
FOI/202000121883
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector, Work and skills

Four nation discussions of COVID-19 and alignment of restrictions: FOI release

1. Minutes from any formal four nations discussions with Michael Gove and other representatives from UK, Welsh Governments and Northern Ireland executive between October 1 and January 15 on the topic of Covid-19 and four nations alignment on restrictions/measures. 2. Notes taken by Scottish Government staff or ministe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.3 s.28(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/20210014372
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Communications concerning Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill and changes to Freedom of Information rules: FOI release

All communication between ministers, officials and press officers regarding the proposed changes to Freedom of Information rules.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 238 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/202000025358
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Extending response times to freedom of information requests: FOI review

Supply all correspondence/emails (including attachments) - to or from government ministers, special advisers or senior civil servants - dated on or prior to 2 April 2020 relating to the proposal to extend response times to freedom of information requests set out in Schedule 6 Part 2 of the [Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill....

FOI partially withheld 90 score 153 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.21(4) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/202000068453
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

FOI statistics and overdue responses: FOI release

Can you please provide all reports (or lists) provided by the government's central FOI unit to government ministers in the period from 1 September 2020 to date that (a) contain a list of overdue FOI requests (b) shows FOI response performance. Please provide all correspondence that was sent to Ministers along with the ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000099262
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Parliament election contingency plan: FOI release

1. Any reports, documents or email correspondence from between 1 August and present day [13 October] between Scottish Government civil servants on the topic of the Scottish Parliament election in 2021 and contingency plans surrounding it. 2. During the same time period, any briefing reports, draft reports, emails, What...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.25 s.27 s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-02-18
Reference
FOI/202000097860
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Information relating to Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland: FOI release

1. For the costs paid to date by the Scottish Government to set up and run the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland to date. 2. For the number of civil servants working or seconded to work on the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland. 3. For correspondence between Scottish Government ministers and the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending 16 attachments
Published
2021-02-16
Reference
FOI/202000097624
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

James Hamilton QC investigation remit correspondence: FOI release

- All communication between John Swinney and James Hamilton QC in relation to the inquiry into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code. -All communication between the Scottish Government and James Hamilton QC in relation to the inquiry into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-16
Reference
FOI/202100139181
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

James Hamilton QC investigation evidence submitted: FOI release

- All evidence submitted to James Hamilton QC as part of his investigation into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code. - Details of all meetings held by James Hamilton QC as part of his investigation into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code. Please include minutes, call logs, list of a...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-16
Reference
FOI/202100139187
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government stance on independence referendum: FOI release

Have Scottish Government employees started work on a White Paper on independence, or an equivalent document to the 2013 document, Scotland’s Future? When did this work start? How many officials have been working on this? What is the cost in terms of employee time, etc, of the preparation of that document? Have the reco...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-10
Reference
FOI/202000117911
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Expenditure of independence referendum: FOI release

Since the SNP administration took office in 2007, how much of taxpayers money has been spent on the SNP’s independence project.

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1)
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000117524
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

James Hamilton investigation remit: FOI release

Does the remit of the Investigation being conducted by James Hamilton officially include whether there has been ANY breach of ANY part of the Ministerial Code by the First Minister - including section 1.3(c) - or is his brief restricted to the narrower aspects of the Code specified in the remit published by the Scottis...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.1
Published
2021-02-04
Reference
FOI/202000108998
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence types and case compliance in financial year ending March 2020: FOI release

How many correspondence cases did Scottish Government receive in the financial year ending March 2020 split across the various types (complaints, FOI, DPR, etc.)? Please also include any stats on compliance regarding timely responses where relevant. What volume of cases received from April - Sept 2020 were COVID19 spec...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.81 s.76 s.20 s.10 s.25(1) s.12
Published
2021-01-20
Reference
FOI/202000106664
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

The Scottish Government's monthly FOI performance statistics: FOI release

Are other public bodies included in the Scottish Government's monthly FOI performance statistics sent to the Scottish Information commissioner? If the answer is yes, could you please send me a list of all other public bodies included.

FOI unclear 50 score 1 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2021-01-12
Reference
FOI/202000114200
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

James Hamilton QC investigation remit: FOI release

Does the remit of the Investigation being conducted by James Hamilton officially include whether there has been ANY breach of ANY part of the Ministerial Code by the First Minister - including section 1.3(c) - or is his brief restricted to the narrower aspects of the Code specified in the remit published by the Scottis...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.1
Published
2020-12-08
Reference
FOI/202000108998
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector