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
132 matching releases

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

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

Data relating to the handling of FOI/18/02237 and associated questions: FOI release

1. Please provide all the data the Scottish Government has relating to the handling of FOI/18/02237, including all internal correspondence, phone calls, handwritten notes or other such documentation). Please also include all data relating to the involvement of ministers and special advisers. 2. Using the same paramete...

FOI already published 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.4 s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-03-05
Reference
FOI/19/00293
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Jeane Freeman correspondence with various UK government departments: FOI release

1. Can you please provide me with copies of all correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People (Shirley-Anne Somerville) and: (a) The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (b) Special Advisers at the Department of Work and Pensions (*) (c) The Social Security Advisory Committee ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.25(1) s.28(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2019-02-08
Reference
FOI/18/03764
Directorate
Social Security 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

Dilation and curettage procedures in NHS Boards: FOI release

All correspondence, memos and reports sent to/from the CMO's office in relation to D&C procedures since October 2 2017.

FOI already published 80 score correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.29 2 attachments
Published
2018-06-29
Reference
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Health and social care, Public sector

ScotGEM bursary: FOI release

Details of the decisions and creation of the ScotGEM bursary.

FOI partially withheld 65 score correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.28(1) s.29(1) s.36(1) s.29
Published
2018-06-21
Reference
Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

First Minister's visit to China: FOI release

For the First Minister's recent visit to China: 1. What was the First Minister's detailed Itinerary? 24/7 2. What was the schedule of meetings? 3. What was the subject or purpose of the meetings? 4. Who attended the meetings? 5. What agreements or commitments were made on behalf of the Scottish electorate?

FOI unclear 80 score correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-05-21
Reference
Directorate
Topic
International, 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

Correspondence relating to the handling of an FOI: FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I would like to request the following information: All correspondence regarding FOI/18/00444 within the Scottish Government. Information should include: correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefs or otherwi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence special advisers meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-04-25
Reference
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Correspondence with BTP merger Joint Programme Board: FOI release

Copies of correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefs or otherwise) between the BTP merger Joint Programme Board (individual members and as a whole) and the Scottish Government, on the topic of further time being required to deliver BTP integration, from 1 Janua...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.27(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2018-03-29
Reference
Directorate
Safer Communities 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

Correspondence relating to National Investment Bank in 2017: FOI release

Any correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefs or otherwise) between Eleanor Emberson and any one of: Nicola Sturgeon, Nicola Sturgeon's staff, Special Advisers, Ministers or Senior Civil Servants on the topic of a National Investment Bank in 2017.

FOI already published 80 score correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.14 s.25 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.14(2) s.14O s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-03-22
Reference
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector