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
264 matching releases

C&C Group objections to Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

The date when the Scottish Government received the letter from C&C Group (as reported in the media on 31 May 2023) that outlined the group’s objections to the Deposit Return Scheme. The name of the person and/or job title who first released the content of the letter to any media outlet or otherwise put it into public d...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.10(4) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-05
Reference
202300360130
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Disposable vapes as an environmental as well as public health threat: EIR release

You asked for: Do the Scottish government recognise disposable vapes as an environmental as well as public health threat? Does the Scottish Government have/propose policy to mitigate the environmental threat of disposable vapes? Eg, nationwide recycling schemes, disposable vape amnesty boxes? Is this responsibility p...

FOI/EIR transferred 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)
Published
2023-09-28
Reference
202300343640
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

RESAS research on Isle of Rum: FOI release

You asked for RESAS' upcoming research on the Isle of Rum. Specifically, you have asked the following questions: Can the RESAS provide the methodology for this type of Delphi Study and state the minimum sample size for this methodology. Has the RESAS conducted any research elsewhere using the Delphi method and please ...

FOI not held 45 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.1 s.34(5)
Published
2023-08-29
Reference
202300368651
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and Circularity Scotland from March 2021: EIR release

Please provide all correspondence between the Circular Economy Minister and her special advisers/private office and the chief executive and chairman of Circularity Scotland from March 2021 to today’s date. Please also provide any briefing notes provided to the Circular Economy Minister for meetings with the chairman or...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 66 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-08-25
Reference
FOI/202300347257
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Economy, Environment and climate change, +1 more … Public sector

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity visit to Isle of Rum: FOI Release

Briefing notes supplied to Lorna Slater, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, for her recent trip to the Isle of Rum in May 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 6 working days correspondence ministers briefings contracts s.38(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-08-02
Reference
FOI/202300360940
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Correspondence with UK Government relating to the Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

Can you please provide all correspondence between the First Minister Humza Yousaf and Lorna Slater that relates to the deposit return scheme since March 28 this year. Can you also provide all correspondence between Mr Yousaf and the Westminster Government over the scheme since March 28. Can you also provide all corresp...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-07-17
Reference
FOI/202300362222
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

“Which Scottish Government departments have been involved in the creation of the policy for the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme What are the total legal costs associated with the DRS, accumulated since 2018? Please provide any background notes, email exchanges, and internal communication between the First Minister and t...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 7 working days correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2023-07-04
Reference
FOI/202300357986
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme - Meeting with Industry of 7 June 2023: EIR release

“I am looking to request details, under the Freedom of Information Act, of the meeting which took place on Wednesday, June 7 between Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater, First Minister Humza Yousaf and representatives of Scottish industry, as referred to in a press release issued today: The First Minister and Circul...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-06-29
Reference
FOI/202300360585
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Internal Market Act correspondence: EIR release

“Under Freedom of Information legislation I would be grateful for a copy of all correspondence received by the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity from her officials on the process and application for an Internal Market Act exemption between January 2023 and the present day.”

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-06-22
Reference
FOI/202300358557
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deposit Return Scheme applications and exemptions: EIR release

The number of requests for exemption from the requirement to operate a retail return point under the Deposit Return Scheme for each month since the 1st October 2022. The number of applications per month (i) where a proximity exemption was granted, and (ii) where an environmental health exemption was granted, since 1st ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-16
Reference
FOI/202300349939
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

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

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

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

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

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

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