Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,864releases indexed
39,478attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,113partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-06-12newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,113 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4931 s.20 4280 s.34(1) 3589 s.39(2) 3481 s.30 2878 s.17(1) 2774 s.25(1) 2381 s.10(4) 1987 s.11(2) 1571 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1158 s.3 908

Timeline

2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,279 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 967 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 923 releases · 31.0 avg days Learning Directorate 861 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 729 releases · 39.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 633 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
1,221 matching releases

Scottish Government spend in the last financial year on external contract staff: FOI release

I would like to know how much money the Scottish Government spent in the last financial year on external contract staff, eg (Sopra) Steria, and how this compares as a percentage of the staff budget for permanent employees. This is only about Scottish Government, not councils, but should include agencies like Social Sec...

FOI released 100 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.17(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-20
Reference
202200293168
Directorate
Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Mull and Iona Ferry Committee and Routes to and from Mull: FOI release

I would like to request all correspondence, in any form including meetings and reports, between Transport Scotland and the Mull and Iona Ferry Committee on the subject of the Mull and Iona Ferry Committee operating any of the ferry routes to and from Mull. It should also include information relating to running the port...

FOI already published 80 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-20
Reference
202200328758
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

Decision to offer COVID-19 vaccine to pregnant women in Scotland: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence including the then First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, relating to the decision to offer COVID-19 vaccines to pregnant women in Scotland. The vaccine was originally advised NOT to be given to pregnant women, but the Government policy changed on this during summer 2021. Please provide any and a...

FOI unclear 80 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.25(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-17
Reference
202300353467
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Public sector

SQA exam results for 2021: FOI release

Any correspondence including but not limited to emails, letters, texts, WhatsApp messages or internal messaging apps such as Gchat and details of meetings including agendas, minutes, notes, handouts, attendance lists, location, and purpose, on the topic of the SQA exam results for 2021 to and from the Scottish Governme...

FOI already published 80 score 471 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-17
Reference
202100230956
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Handling of harassment complaints: FOI release

A copy of/all information contained in the letter from the Deputy First Minister to the Convenor/Committee on Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints dated 31 August 2020. A copy of/all information contained in the letter from Levy & McRae to the Convenor/Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of H...

FOI not held 70 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.17(1) s.37(1) s.26 s.35(1) s.35(2) s.12 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-17
Reference
202300337672
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meetings of the Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Sept-Oct 2022: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the ScottishGovernment including attached documents, meeting handouts,memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to the following meetings: Kevin Stewart's meetings with IJB Chief o...

FOI not held 70 score 89 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-17
Reference
202300338442
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

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

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

First Minister and Scottish Government first heard the term COVID-19: FOI release

When did the first minister and Government first hear the term COVID-19? Which scientific advisors advised the First Minister? When the government was first aware of Covid-19?

FOI unclear 55 score 7 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202300346953
Directorate
Population Health 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

Gender recognition bill: FOI release

Which firm is being instructed to represent the Scottish government in the judicial review petition? Is it the Scottish government legal directorate or an external law firm? Which counsel have been instructed to represent the government in the judicial review petition? Please supply names and advocate stables. Please p...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.36(1) s.35 s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300351736
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice and correspondence relating to operation branchform: FOI release

1. The cost of any legal advice - either from the Scottish Government's legal directorate or from external advisers/counsel - in regards to Operation Branchform. 2. Any internal correspondence among senior civil servants, special advisers, and ministers (including any attachments or referenced briefings) on the topic o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.35(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300368382
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Total number of expenses claimed by the First Minister: FOI release

Could I please receive the total number of expenses claimed by the First Minister in the years 2020- 2021, 2021-2022 and 2022 – 31 June 2023? Could I also receive the total expenses claimed by the FM office as a whole?

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300374125
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Court cases the Scottish Government has been involved in recent years: FOI release

You asked for How many court cases has the Scottish Government been involved in due to legislation they have drafted in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022? Breakdown of each case and what was the outcome and cost of these cases. If too much just do 2019-2022.' How much did the Alex Salmond prosecution case cost the...

FOI already published 55 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.2
Published
2023-11-01
Reference
202300338707
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Public sector

FM meetings: FOI Review

You requested a review stating the following: “I am writing to you to request an internal review of this decision. I do not believe the exemptions apply to all the information, particularly the briefing documents, and have been applied far too liberally. In any case, the public interest is in favour of disclosure.”

FOI already published 80 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.41 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-01
Reference
FOI/202300362913 review of 202300338437
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Investment Zones in Scotland: FoI release

All correspondence relating to the awarding of ‘Investment Zones’ in Scotland – for the avoidance of doubt this would include correspondence from and to ministers, Cabinet Secretaries and Scottish Government Officials. Relevant ministerial meeting dates and diary extracts for those meetings and calls where the process ...

FOI released 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-01
Reference
FOI/202300367750
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector