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
552 matching releases

Deposit Return Scheme - Concerns for small producers: EIR release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to Lorna Slater's meeting on DRS concerns with small producers.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) 4 attachments
Published
2023-05-10
Reference
FOI/202300343220
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) marketing and staff statistics: EIR release

1. “A list of all suppliers that the Scottish Government has used to support the marketing, promotion, and graphic design of the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme, and how much each of these suppliers were paid, and a description of the activities they carried out.” 2. “The number of Scottish Government staff, broken dow...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence s.10(4)
Published
2023-05-10
Reference
FOI/202300343714
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Emails received by Lorna Slater relating to Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

Any emails that have been received by Scottish Government minister Lorna Slater MSP that mention the Deposit Return Scheme, due to go live on the 16 August 2023, between the 10 December 2022 and 10 February 2023. If this provides too many responses, please narrow the timeline from 10 January 2023 to 10 February 2023.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 36 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 4 attachments
Published
2023-05-10
Reference
FOI/202300342950
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Research conducted under Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

Any research conducted by the Scottish Government that investigated the number of bottles likely to be returned by consumers under the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme. Any research conducted by the Scottish Government that investigated the challenges with implementing the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme. Any project plan...

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 51 working days over deadline correspondence s.6(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-05-10
Reference
FOI/202300343538
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme - Internal Market exemption: EIR release

1. “On which date did the Scottish Government seek a UK Internal Market Act exemption for the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme? 2. How many UK Internal Market Act exemptions have been applied for by the Scottish Government since the Act was introduced, and on which date were they applied for?”

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.6(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-09
Reference
FOI/202300345710
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme – Correspondence received by Cabinet Secretary for Finance: EIR release

“Please provide all correspondence sent or received by Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, Kate Forbes (or her office), and mentioning Deposit Return Scheme or DRS, 1st January 2021 - date.”

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 4 attachments
Published
2023-05-09
Reference
FOI/202300345221
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Media Requests regarding Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

'Could you supply a list of how many requests have been made for government ministers to talk about the deposit return scheme since December 1 until the date of this FOI, including who was requested, when, what media outlet requested them, what your answer was, and what excuse was made if the request was rejected? Coul...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 12 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-09
Reference
FOI/202300344254
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Emails received by First Minister mentioning Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

“Any emails that have been received by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that mention the Deposit Return Scheme, due to go live on the 16 August 2023, between the 10 December 2022 and 10 February 2023. If this provides too many responses, please narrow the timeline from 10 January 2023 to 10 February 2023.”

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 4 attachments
Published
2023-05-09
Reference
FOI/202300342951
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme Exemption Statistics: EIR release

“Please can you supply the following, (broken down by month since applications via Zero Waste Scotland opened): 1. The number of deposit return scheme proximity exemption applications a) received, b) accepted or c)declined. 2. The number of deposit return scheme environmental health exemption applications a) received...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-09
Reference
FOI/202300343924
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme exemptions granted: EIR release

The number of applications received from stores (possibly via via Zero Waste Scotland) for an exemption from acting as a returns point in the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), broken down by month the application was received. The number of exemptions granted, broken down by the month the exemption was granted. The...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 85 score 19 working days correspondence 6 attachments
Published
2023-04-20
Reference
FOI/202200326724
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Scottish Ministers' appointing Circularity Scotland Ltd as administrator of Deposit Return Scheme: EIR Review

Original request - 202200276068 1. The application to become administrator of the deposit return scheme submitted to Scottish ministers by Circularity Scotland Ltd, and any other supporting or additional information provided by Circularity Scotland Ltd to support that application, as specified in section 14 of the regu...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 101 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts s.14 s.2 s.15 s.10(5) s.20 s.10(1) s.10(2) s.10 s.11(2) s.34(1) s.2(1) s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-04-20
Reference
FOI/202200298347 Review of 202200276068
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Flood Risk Management Working Group meeting minutes: EIR release

All minutes of meetings of COSLA and the Scottish Government's flood risk management working group since it was established last year.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 63 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2023-04-20
Reference
FOI/202300338730
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Applications for bathing water status at Almondell and Wardie Bay: EIR release

"Copies of any submissions made to the Scottish Government or its agencies in response to the recent applications for bathing water status at (1) Almondell (River Almond) and (2) Wardie Bay (Edinburgh)."

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 17 working days correspondence briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1)
Published
2023-04-13
Reference
FOI/202200325010
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Farm statistics across parishes: EIR release

"Does the Scottish Government have a record of how many farms are currently operational in each parish? If so, can you please tell me how many there are in the parishes of Cumnock, New Cumnock, Auchinleck and Ochiltree?"

FOI/EIR unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence
Published
2023-04-06
Reference
FOI/202200320795
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Farming and rural, Public sector

Snowsports sector 2022: EIR release

Information relating to the collection of data and original references for the following report published on the 10th of February by the Scottish Government - Snowsports sector 2022 - economic, social, and cultural impact: research - https://www.gov.scot/publications/economic-socialcultural-impact-scotlands-snowsports-...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 11 working days correspondence briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-03-24
Reference
FOI/202300344938
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Sewage overflow incident at Loch Leven: EIR release

Please provide me with a copy of the information that the Minister for Environment and Land Reform received from SEPA in regards to an sewage overflow incident at Loch Leven on 8th September which the Minister referred to during the Sewage and Scotland’s Water Member’s Business Debate on 26th October 2022. Please inclu...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-03-24
Reference
foi/202200328169
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Cop15 Trip Costs: FOI release

How much did it , completely cost, to send Lorna Slater to COP15 in Montreal 2022? 1. Break down of travel costs, and methods of travel - Start to Finish. 2. Hotel costs. 3. All other additional expenses. Since this meeting has been completed their should be no security reasons for divulging the costs. If the Green P...

FOI released 75 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.3
Published
2023-03-21
Reference
FOI/202300340387
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme exemption requests: EIR release

The number of requests for exemption to operate a retail return point under the Deposit Return Scheme for each month since the exemption application process opened, the number of applications per month (i) where a proximity exemption was granted, and (ii) where an environmental health exemption was granted and the numb...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-03-21
Reference
FOI/202200325817
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Correspondence received by Michael Matheson on Water management: EIR release

Internal and external correspondence received by the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson MSP, regarding ‘water management’ and ‘drought management’ between 1 September 2021 and the present day.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 52 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-03-17
Reference
FOI/202200322006
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meeting between Lorna Slater and Dr Pete Cheema: EIR release

All items of information held in relation to the briefing prepared for Green Skills minister Lorna Slater for her meeting with Dr Pete Cheema OBE and others on 12 October 2022 about the circular economy, and all notes and records of this meeting. The meeting is listed in the Scottish Government's ministerial engagement...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) 2 attachments
Published
2023-03-10
Reference
FOI/202300339740
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meeting between Lorna Slater and Craig Anderson: FOI release

information held in relation to the briefing prepared for Green Skills minister Lorna Slater for her meeting /video conference with Craig Anderson and others on 25 October 2022 about the circular economy, and all notes and records of this meeting. The meeting is listed in the Scottish Government's ministerial engagemen...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) 2 attachments
Published
2023-03-08
Reference
FOI/202300339761
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meeting between Lorna Slater and Jamie Delap: EIR release

All items of information held in relation to the briefing prepared for Green Skills minister Lorna Slater for her meeting /video conference with Jamie Delap and others on 31 October 2022 about the circular economy, and all notes and records of this meeting. The meeting is listed in the Scottish Government's ministerial...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2023-02-24
Reference
FOI/202300339746
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Bottle deposit scheme information: FOI release

1. How much money has the Scottish Government spent on the bottle deposit scheme so far with a breakdown of these costs? 2. Copies of any research done into why it is all drinks materials being recycled instead of just one certain material like glass or aluminium or any risk assessments done about this? 3. Have any sho...

FOI/EIR already published 55 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.25(1)
Published
2023-02-21
Reference
FOI/202200318862
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Ministerial briefing for RAINE Committee: FOI release

government briefings provided to Mairi Gougeon and Mairi McAllan for the RAINE committee on Wednesday 14 December 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.17 s.20 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-02-08
Reference
FOI/202300336721
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Sale of land at Glencrispesdale Estate: EIR release

How much was sum of the sale of land at Glencrispesdale Estate to the RSPB from NatureScot? Are there minutes of meetings prior to the sale, with key stakeholders involved in the sale, including NatureScot and RSPB? Is there documentation outlining if the estate was to be sold on the open market or if a private buyer h...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)
Published
2023-01-05
Reference
FOI/202200315650
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Farming and rural, Public sector