Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

22,922releases indexed
40,952attachments found
29.5avg calendar days
8,507partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-11-04newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,507 unclear 7,460 not held 3,292 released 1,599 already published 716 cost limit 637 clarification 377 withheld 251 transferred 83

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5225 s.20 4485 s.34(1) 3789 s.39(2) 3640 s.30 3038 s.17(1) 2981 s.25(1) 2557 s.10(4) 2089 s.11(2) 1639 s.29(1) 1249 s.2 1245 s.3 980

Timeline

2026-11 48 2026-10 227 2026-09 8 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,336 releases · 27.8 avg days Marine Directorate 991 releases · 29.7 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 972 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 741 releases · 39.6 avg days Constitution Directorate 710 releases · 35.8 avg days Population Health Directorate 678 releases · 28.6 avg days People Directorate 667 releases · 25.5 avg days
Clear
896 matching releases

Comparability of Ireland's GDP with Scotland's GDP: FOI release

All internal Scottish Government discussion (including between Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers), 6th May 2021 to date, on the question of the comparability of Ireland's GDP with Scotland's GDP.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
202300353396
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Our Power administration: FOI release

How much money has the Scottish Government received to date as a result of the administration process for Our Power Energy Supply Limited? Has the Scottish Government been given any indication, or hold any estimate, on how much it expects to receive in future through the administration process? Have Scottish Government...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.36(2) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-20
Reference
202200320887
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Total spend on independence bill to the Supreme Court: FOI release

How much has the Scottish Government spent to date on external legal counsel in taking the independence bill to the Supreme Court? How much does the Scottish Government estimate it will spend on external counsel for the entire Supreme Court case by the end of the case?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-20
Reference
202200326934
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost to take independence bill to the Supreme court: FOI release

How much has it cost the Scottish Government to take the independence bill to the Supreme court so far? Please provide a breakdown of these costs. Please supply any estimation about how much the entire Supreme court case will cost the Scottish Government by the end of the case?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-20
Reference
202200327700
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Preparation of independence referendum: FOI release

I request to know how much it has cost so far for the preparation of Indy ref 2. Including the legal challenge in the Supreme Court in London.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.27(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-20
Reference
202200329265
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications on the availability and operation of Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and Sexual Risk Orders: FOI release

Copies of all information provided from 1 October 2022 onwards to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government, and the First Minister on the availability and operation of: Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPOs) Sexual Risk Orders (SROs)

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.25(1) s.8E s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-17
Reference
202300351739
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding Mermaids charity: FOI release

All correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) regarding the Mermaids Charity from 25 September 2022 onwards.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-16
Reference
202200329739
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost to tax payer of Scottish independence UK Supreme Court case: FOI release

The amount of tax payer money that has been spent by the Scottish Government on the recent Court case in the UK Supreme Court to rule on the possibility of Scotland holding another Independence referendum.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 8 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-16
Reference
202200331746
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and World Economic Forum etc between 1 January 2020 and 22 December 2021: FOI release

All communications (electronic or otherwise) during the period 1 January 2020 and 22 December 2021 between The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, and the following: The World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates The Open Society Foundations George Soros

FOI partially withheld 90 score 72 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.25(1) s.20 6 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202100267432
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and EU officials regarding independent Scotland joining EU, May 2016 to May 2021: FOI release

Covering the dates 5 May 2016 to 5 May 2021: All correspondence between Scottish Government ministers and civil servants with ministers, civil servants and diplomats in EU 27 countries, regarding the possibility of a future independent Scotland joining the EU. All correspondence between Scottish Government ministers ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.38 s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200285827
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Leslie Evans pre-retirement leave start and end dates: FOI release

Details of the start and end dates of the former Permanent Secretary's (Leslie Evans) pre-retirement leave and documentation showing when and by whom it was authorised.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200287678
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Russia-bound flight from Inverness after introduction of flight restrictions to Russia: FOI release

Copies of all correspondence sent to or from government ministers and/or civil servants, since 1st May 2020, in which there is discussion of a Russia-bound flight which took off from Inverness Airport on February 26, 2022, one day after restrictions were introduced flights linked to Russia.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200328814
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister's IWD 2022 speech and pardons for witchcraft: FOI release

Internal Scottish Government correspondence regarding the First Minister’s International Women’s Day Speech which she gave to Parliament on the 8 March 2022. Please provide all correspondence related to that speech between the dates of 22 February 2022 and 8 March 2022 inclusive. An email search of the term “Witchcraft...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 45 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.20 14 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200287654
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Supreme Court case on which judgement has been delivered on 23rd November: FOI release

I write in regard to the Supreme Court case on which judgement has been delivered today, about whether the Scottish Parliament can hold an independence referendum without Westminster’s approval. What were the legal costs of this case to the Scottish Government and/or the Scottish National Party?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331639
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Independence referendum two final spend: FOI release

Can you please forward me how much money has been spent on obtaining a legal decision to determine if Scottish government can hold an independence referendum without consent of UK government now that the Supreme Court has made a ruling.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331649
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost of Draft Referendum Bill to the Supreme Court: FOI release

Please could I request, under Freedom of Information laws, the costs relating to the Scottish Government’s reference of the Draft Referendum Bill to the Supreme Court. If you can provide the total cost for the reference, as well as any breakdown you are able to provide (such as lawyers fees, staff cost, etc).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331719
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Supreme Court costs of independence referendum: FOI release

Could you please inform of all the costs associated with the recent Supreme Court decision on Independence Referendums?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 8 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331771
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Supreme Court costs: FOI release

Please tell me the cost in legal fees for taking the case to the Supreme Court which you knew in advance you could not win? Why is this government happy to play games at the expense of the taxpayer?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331892
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to Europe's offshore wind resources: FOI release

This request relates to a previous FOI response, reference: 202200325962 On page 5 of the correspondence attachment to the above referenced FOI response, an email sent on 30th September 2022 states that the below paragraph of text was provided to “another team: “The claim about 25% of Europe's offshore wind resources...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200333683
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Exchange between SQA Chief Executive and Scottish Government: FOI release

I understand that on 14 May 2021 the Chief Executive of the SQA wrote to the Scottish Government regarding the proposals for the appeals system that would be put in place for 2021 N5, Higher and Advanced Higher results. This letter included discussion of a 'no detriment' approach and sought advice from the government. ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 444 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202100243443
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Number of flats in an aparthotel: FOI release

1. How the number of flats (ie 5) to define an aparthotel was arrived at; 2. An explanation of how all 5-apartment businesses present no problem at all, but all 4-apartment businesses create such a large problem that their trading activities must be more tightly regulated - and in the case of Edinburgh, must cease tra...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 280 working days over deadline correspondence s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202300339785
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost and staff numbers working on the Scottish Government's policy of Independence: FOI release

Please can you send me a break down of staffing cost and numbers of people related full-time staff hours working on the Scottish Governments - Independence Policy. Please can you break these down by years since the public vote on 18 September 2014. 19 September 2018 - 18 September 2019 19 September 2019 - 18 Septembe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.27(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-09
Reference
202300336771
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial car journeys and the number of ministerial cars: FOI release

1. Details of all journeys undertaken in ministerial cars by Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater since they became ministers. 2. The date, distance travelled, where the journey began and ended and the reason for their use. 3. For the same time frame, the total number of ministerial car journeys undertaken by all minister...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.4 s.25(1) s.27(1) s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202200330114
Directorate
Corporate Operations Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with Scottish Ministers relating to Project Chestnut: FOI release

Any reports or briefings issued or submitted to ministers that would fall within 'Project Chestnut'.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.25(1) 6 attachments
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
FOI/202300363664
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector