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

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

Clear
105 matching releases

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

Number of civil servants and special advisers employed in specific directorates: FOI release

1. How many civil servants and special advisors worked directly in the following Scottish Government directorates in each of the past five financial years to date. For 2020-21 please give the most recent figure at time of response. Please breakdown the figures by number of civil servants and number of special advisors ...

FOI released 100 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-02
Reference
FOI/202000110675
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Civil Servants preparation in giving evidence to Committee for Former First Minister inquiry: FOI release

Details of the preparation of civil servants for appearances ahead of witness sessions in the Alex Salmond Holyrood inquiry. I would like details of all civil servants to appear in person before the committee up to and including today's session [3 November 2020], including the Permanent Secretary. There is no need to i...

FOI not held 70 score 50 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.36(1) s.17(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-01-13
Reference
FOI/202000106713
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding polling by Ipsos Mori/STV News: FOI release

You asked for details on: Any Scottish Government emails from 11-15 October 2020 (inclusive), either internal or external, concerning polling by Ipsos Mori/STV News or news inquiries or news coverage related to this polling. Please also include attachments to these emails. Any briefings or notes provided to Scottish ...

FOI released 100 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-12-04
Reference
FOI/202000098657
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government procedure of recording financial interests of National Clinical Directors: FOI release

What is the minimal financial value (in pounds Sterling) that requires a National Clinical Director in Scotland to register a personal financial interest with the Scottish Government, such that this financial interest is recorded on Scottish Government systems. You said that this FIOSA 2002 request pre-supposes that th...

FOI unclear 55 score 6 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.17(1)
Published
2020-11-11
Reference
FOI/202000088601
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Money and tax, Public sector, +1 more … Work and skills

Former First Minister complaints: FOI release

1. A copy of the request made on or around 31 October 2017 by David Clegg and/or the Daily Record in which information was sought on whether any complaints had been made about Alex Salmond during his tenure as First Minister. 2. Copies of all documents held by the Scottish Government in which that request was considere...

FOI not held 45 score 8 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.4 s.17(1)
Published
2020-11-03
Reference
FOI/202000099263
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Records of bullying, harassment or abuse allegations: FOI release

Any record of bullying, harassment or abuse allegations made against Scottish Government ministers, whether proved or disproved. Please limit to the time period 3 May 2007 to present. · Any record of bullying, harassment or abuse allegations made against Director-Generals or Directors, whether proved or disproved. Plea...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 90 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.20 s.34(1) s.30 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-07-13
Reference
FOI/202000018100
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Further correspondence from 5th to 12th of February regarding Mr Mackay: FOI release

1) Please provide all correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Government special advisers, her Chief of Staff and private office in relation to allegations about the conduct Derek Mackay and subsequently his resignation from government between noon on 5 February and 12 February 2020. 2) Please provide all ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.39(1) s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2020-03-12
Reference
FOI/202000015900
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

'Scotland's right to choose: putting Scotland's future in Scotland's hands' related costs: FOI release

All costs associated with the Scottish Government's document 'Scotland's Right to Choose: Putting Scotland's Future in Scotland's Hands'. If possible please break this down into costs on staffing (or staffing hours spent on this), internal costs, external costs such as printing etc. The number of Scottish Government st...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1)
Published
2020-02-10
Reference
FOI/202000011414
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Staff, meetings and correspondence concerning response to Judicial Review Petition: FOI release

1. Please state the full membership of the group within the Scottish Government brought together to respond to the Judicial Review Petition of Mr Alex Salmond. Please itemise any and all advisers brought in to assist. 2. There were 17 pre-arranged meetings and conference calls between August 2018 and January 2019 with ...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.3 s.17(1) s.25(1)
Published
2019-09-25
Reference
FOI/19/02016
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Public sector

Various questions on case against Former First Minister: FOI release

You asked for: 1. Please specify the job description of Ms Katy Bowman, Special Adviser to the First Minister both at present and in 2014. 2. Please identify the line management responsibilities of Ms Liz Lloyd, First Minister’s chief of staff, to Ms Katy Bowman, Special Adviser to the First Minister. 3. Please iden...

FOI not held 45 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.5 s.6 s.17(1) s.3 s.18(1) s.28 s.12 s.35(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1)
Published
2019-09-13
Reference
FOI/19/01942
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Rules/procedures applicable to Special Advisors for political matters/government business: FOI release

“1. Are the civil servants working to instructions from their superiors to take as long as possible to reply and to use ploys to provide little or no information? 2. Are the FOI requests referred to Ministers? 3. Do they have input as to how the civil servants respond? 4. Are Special Advisers subject to the same rules ...

FOI released 100 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.17(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-07-22
Reference
FOI/19/01538
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Judicial Review against the Scottish Government by former First Minister: FOI release

1. List and details of meetings and phone calls between Leslie Evans, Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government and senior civil servant James Hynd between 1 October 2017 and 31 December 2017. 2. Itemised list of meetings, phone calls, emails, letters and notes between Leslie Evans, Permanent Secretary to the Sco...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.7 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) s.35(1) s.17(1) s.10 s.12 s.65 2 attachments
Published
2019-05-29
Reference
FOI/19/01156
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Public sector

Ministers and Special Advisers roles responding to FOI requests: FOI review

Please provide the following: (A) any and all procedures, guidance, emails that set out the current role of Ministers and Special Advisers in responding to FOI requests and requests for internal review. (B) a risk assessment that sets out the data protection compliance considerations associated with (A).

FOI not held 70 score 7 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.1(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-04-09
Reference
FOI/19/00669 Review
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministers and Special Advisers roles responding to FOI requests: FOI release

Please provide the following: (A) any and all procedures, guidance, emails that set out the current role of Ministers and Special Advisers in responding to FOI requests and requests for internal review. (B) a risk assessment that sets out the data protection compliance considerations associated with (A).

FOI unclear 80 score 12 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.8(1) s.1(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-03-27
Reference
FOI/19/00669
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister's visit to Auschwitz in October 2018: FOI release

You asked for information in relation to the First Minister's visit to Auschwitz in October 2018.

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1)
Published
2019-03-25
Reference
FOI/201900000339
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
International, 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

Baby Boxes: correspondence with Finnish welfare agency Kela: FOI release

1. All correspondence to and from the Scottish government and the Finnish welfare agency Kela, or any other branch of the government of Finland, concerning Scotland's introduction of baby boxes dating from the point when work on the scheme, or consideration of the scheme, began by the Scottish government. 2. All memos...

FOI not held 70 score correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-06-06
Reference
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Communications between FOI officers and Special Advisers: FOI release

1. In a response to a request for information dated 6 March 2018 you noted that it would be too costly to check the FoI tracker system for all cases which were sent to the 'FoI SpAds' mailbox. I would now like to request information relating to how many emails in the 'FoI SpAds' mailbox originated from the Freedom of I...

FOI not held 70 score correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2018-05-16
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Freedom of information requests received by Scottish Government: FOI release

Thank you for your request dated 7 March 2018 under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for information relating to Freedom of Information requests received by the Scottish Government.

FOI not held 45 score correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) s.12
Published
2018-04-12
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector