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
2,381 matching releases

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

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

Funding allocation for domestic violence and/or abuse victims: FOI release

A breakdown of total funding allocations from the Scottish Government to domestic violence and / or abuse victim support services that specialise in support for BME/BAME victims, from 2018 – present, please breakdown by year and by organisation if possible.

FOI unclear 55 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-16
Reference
202200331324
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights 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

Trade union facility time and the Scottish Government: FOI release

A copy of any agreement with your recognised trade unions on trade union facilities time. In the absence of a specific agreement, a copy of a recognition or other agreement that references facilities time. With reference to the amount of facility time reported under Trade Union (Facility Time Publication Requirements) ...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence s.20 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200291010
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

Masks in communal areas of schools: FOI release

The exact criteria (eg Covid case or hospitalisation rates, rates of vaccination) that need to be met before our children will no longer be asked by the Scottish Government to wear masks in communal areas of schools. Copies of all correspondence between the Scottish Government and the EIS, where the continuation of the...

FOI released 100 score 16 working days correspondence meetings s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-13
Reference
202200291629
Directorate
Learning 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

Budget for a Independence Referendum: FOI release

How much the budget is for the Independence Referendum? By how much it was reduced alongside other department budget cuts?

FOI released 75 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202200329363
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector