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
38 matching releases

Number of female; Cabinet Secretaries, Ministers and Special Advisers: FOI release

You made the following request for information: For verification of the number of women Cabinet Secretaries, Ministers and Special Advisers as provided in your table.

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence ministers special advisers
Published
2019-07-22
Reference
FOI/19/01693
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Appointment of the Chair of the State Hospital, correspondence: FOI release

You asked for the following information: All correspondence, memos or notes including meetings and phone calls relating to the appointment of Kenny MacAskill as Chair of the State Hospital whether from by or to officials, special advisers and Ministers; All notes or diary entries for meetings between officials, specia...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2019-04-09
Reference
FOI/19/00649
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding the response to FOI request 18/02676: FOI release

Any correspondence (emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes or any other documents) between the lead official on FOI request 18/02676 and/or Scottish Government ministers and/or the SG FOI Unit and/or special advisers regarding the response to that FOI request. Information should include: a detailed timeline (...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.14(2) s.17(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2019-02-18
Reference
FOI/19/00302
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Numbers of Special Advisers since 2011: FOI release

"Under The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I would be obliged if you could send me, in electronic and letter form, I wish to know the number of Government Special Advisors appointed by the Scottish Government/Executive since April 2011 to the present date, 16th June 2018. For all branches and departments of...

FOI clarification 55 score correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.25(1) s.27(1)
Published
2018-07-30
Reference
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence on Special Advisers changing roles/speciality areas: FOI release

Any internal correspondence on special advisers changing roles and areas of speciality from November 2014 to date and on hiring special advisers over the same period. You later clarified your request: This would refer to any correspondence from or to special advisers' email accounts or those of Ministers.

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers contracts s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-07-20
Reference
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic

Special Adviser salary, costs and expenses 2014/15, 2017/18: FOI release

The current combined annual salary costs for Scottish Government special advisers; for the combined annual salary cost in November 2014 and for the total expenses bill associated with special advisers in 2014/15 and 2017/18

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.25(1)
Published
2018-07-13
Reference
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Special Advisers expenses: FOI release

Number of advisers assigned/engaged by the First Minister. The total cost of the advisers including fees, expenses, travel room and board On 20 February you provided clarification of what you meant by "Advisers": Taxpayer funded political advisers.

FOI clarification 55 score correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.25(1)
Published
2018-03-23
Reference
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Internal complaints registered by civil servants: FOI release

Information requested about any internal complaints registered by civil servants on the Scottish Government's interpretation/use of FOI legislation, in particular complaints regarding special adviser or ministerial interference. You confirmed on the 12 February 2018 that this request should cover the last 6 months.

FOI unclear 50 score correspondence ministers special advisers
Published
2018-03-15
Reference
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence regarding Callum McCraig's appointment as Special Adviser: FOI release

I would like to submit an FOI for correspondence between Ministers and officials and Callum McCaig from 8 June 2017 to 5 August 2017. Specifically I would like any correspondence that concerns Callum McCaig's appointment as a special adviser.

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers contracts s.38 2 attachments
Published
2017-12-22
Reference
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector