Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

22,640releases indexed
40,478attachments found
29.5avg calendar days
8,386partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-09-02newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,386 unclear 7,405 not held 3,239 released 1,581 already published 700 cost limit 627 clarification 372 withheld 249 transferred 81

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5149 s.20 4430 s.34(1) 3727 s.39(2) 3593 s.30 2994 s.17(1) 2922 s.25(1) 2520 s.10(4) 2060 s.11(2) 1619 s.29(1) 1223 s.2 1222 s.3 958

Timeline

2026-09 1 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,312 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 978 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 961 releases · 30.9 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 737 releases · 39.7 avg days Constitution Directorate 702 releases · 35.9 avg days Population Health Directorate 665 releases · 28.5 avg days People Directorate 657 releases · 25.6 avg days
Clear
2,520 matching releases

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

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

Information regarding Redress Scheme: FOI release

To date, how many individual payments have been made to each of the 26 panel members sitting on the redress decision making team? What are the salaries of the chair, deputy chair and chief executive of the redress scheme? How many applications have been seen and finalised by the panel members? How many applications hav...

FOI not held 70 score 11 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-09
Reference
202300336987
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Grants awarded to specific organisations: FOI release

Information on grants given out in the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 (to present) financial years, to the following organisations: LGBT Consortium Stonewall Mermaids Switchboard LGBT Foundation LGBT Youth Scotland Press for Change Albert Kennedy Trust Trans Media Watch Pink Therapy FFLAG MESMAC Hidayah LGBT Gendered In...

FOI unclear 55 score 61 working days over deadline correspondence s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202200335098
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights 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

Scottish Screening Committee minutes: FOI release

Scottish Screening Committee meeting minutes to be published quicker than the current timeframe. Copies of the SSC minutes up to November 2019. Names of governing groups for the pregnancy and newborn screening programme, NIPT evaluation and if minutes are published online.

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence meetings s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202300362352
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

Updated report covering NHSScotland's state of assets/facilities/estate: FOI release

Up to date information on property/estate assets and facilities for each of the NHS Boards in Scotland. The most recent Property and Asset Management Strategy (PAMS) report for each Health Board. Information on capital expenditure on buildings, facilities and equipment for each Board for the last available financial ye...

FOI released 100 score 19 working days correspondence s.17(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-03
Reference
202300337674
Directorate
Health and Social Care Finance 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