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

Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) revision of appeal process: FOI release

Ministerial direction SQA refer to and any information, paperwork, correspondence etc between SG and SQA and also more generally which explains the thinking behind the revision of the appeals process (please treat as an FOI). I am not sure whether you can also explain where responsibility lies for the design of the app...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 49 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-26
Reference
FOI/202000108636
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Costing breakdown of National Advisory Council on Women and Girls: FOI release

Please provide a breakdown of the full costs associated with the National Advisory Council on Women and Girls (for example, secretariat, publications, marketing, event venue hire, speakers, illustrators (at events) and merchandise).

FOI already published 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-25
Reference
FOI/202100150847
Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Money and tax, Public sector

Local authorities operating independently of central government: FOI release

1) In which year did it start in Scotland that:- Local authorities in Scotland operate independently of central government and are accountable to their electorates. 2) How much is the biggest budget cut since 2009 to local authority spending (Eg roads, pavements, homelessness, etc etc) 3) How much is the budget for ...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.2 s.25(1)
Published
2021-03-25
Reference
FOI/202100152293
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Act 2021 correspondence: FOI release

Correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) between the UK Government and the Scottish Government regarding the Covert Human Intelligence Sources Bill. Please limit between 1 April 2020 and the present dat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.28 s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-24
Reference
FOI/202000111668
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Drug & Alcohol prevention spending from 2000 to 2020: FOI release

Amounts of annual Scottish Government Spending on Drug & Alcohol Services (spilt if possible on drugs and alcohol) - i.e. the money spent on preventing drug and alcohol deaths, for the period 2000 - 2020.

FOI released 75 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.25(1)
Published
2021-03-23
Reference
FOI/202100148279
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Funding provided to Shettleston Housing Association: FOI release

Information on Shettleston Housing Association, how much money they have had in the past 5 years in grants from the Scottish Government, and also are they renting any commercial properties from third parties, and lastly do they have any sub companies that they have an interest in.

FOI unclear 55 score 12 working days correspondence s.25(1)
Published
2021-03-22
Reference
FOI/202100152344
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence relating to 50,000 affordable homes target: FOI release

From 1 October 2020 to present: Copies of briefings prepared by civil servants regarding the 50,000 affordable homes target.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) 10 attachments
Published
2021-03-22
Reference
FOI/202000118539
Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

COVID-19: Closure of places of worship: FOI release

1) I would be extremely grateful if you could email me a full copy of the Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment - as well as a full copy of all the evidence underpinning the same Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment - specifically pertaining to worshippers and Places of Worship that the Scottish Minister(s...

FOI not held 70 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.2 s.20 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-22
Reference
FOI/202100133792
Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Equality and rights, +2 more … Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

James Hamilton QC independent investigation: FOI release

1 - An Independent Investigation currently being led by James Hamilton QC is investigating possible breaches of the ministerial code by the First Minister. If he concludes that the FM did not knowingly mislead parliament as well as did not break other parts of the MC then I presume that the First Minister would not res...

FOI released 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.1 s.25(1)
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/20210016129
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information relating to Higher and Advance Higher exams 2021: FOI release

The Scottish Government has previously announced that National 5 exam diets would be cancelled but that Higher and Advanced Higher diets would go ahead. Education secretary John Swinney has since stated that alternate approaches have been developed and that a decision could be made as late as February to switch to thes...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202000114519
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Briefings in reference to disability unemployment rates: FOI release

Copies of any civil servant briefings prepared on disability unemployment rates, or that reference disability unemployment rates.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202100140775
Directorate
Topic
Economy, Equality and rights, Public sector, +1 more … Work and skills

All written evidence to James Hamilton QC's investigation: FOI release

- All written evidence to James Hamilton's QC investigation into the FM under the ministerial code. This includes evidence from the FM, her chief of staff Liz Lloyd and any other individuals within the Scottish Government who have submitted evidence.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100161098
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Statistical information relating to Scottish Government agencies: FOI release

1. How many agencies have the Scottish Government created since 2006? 2. Total budget for each agency, for each year of its operation 3. Total number of staff on each agency and their pay 4. How many men, women, disabled and BAME make up each agency?

FOI released 100 score 20 working days correspondence contracts s.25(1) 8 attachments
Published
2021-03-15
Reference
FOI/202000113297
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Responsibilities for specific Ministerial positions: FOI release

1. A copy of the responsibilities of each of the following ministerial positions as at 16th December 2019. The First Minister Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Minister for Public Health and Sport 2. If not included in the descriptions above, a copy of the responsibilities of whichever minister(s) or cabinet sec...

FOI unclear 80 score 1 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202100152438
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Universal Basic Income: FOI release

Copies of any correspondence (briefings, emails, letters, memos, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls and/or otherwise) between civil servants and/or Special Advisors and/or members of the Scottish Government Cabinet discussing expanding the roll-out of a Universal Basic Income across Scotland.

FOI already published 80 score 15 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29 s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-10
Reference
FOI/202000110955
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Communications between Scottish Government and Stonewall Scotland: FOI release

1. Any application you made in 2019 or 2020 to be a “Stonewall Diversity Champion” or to be included on Stonewall’s “Workplace Equality Index,” including any attachments or appendices to those applications. Please redact personal details if necessary. 2. Any feedback you received in 2019 or 2020 from Stonewall in rela...

FOI cost limit 45 score 18 working days correspondence briefings contracts spending s.6 s.25(1) s.5
Published
2021-03-09
Reference
FOI/202100152273
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Money and tax, Public sector

Response timeframe for email enquiries: FOI release

You asked "Does the Scottish Government have a target timeframe in which it aims to respond to email enquiries? Is information available on how well this target is met?"

FOI unclear 55 score 84 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1)
Published
2021-03-09
Reference
FOI/202000102772
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

COVID-19 scientific evidence discussions concerning restrictions within hospitality sector: FOI release

Any records relating to the scientific, statistical, or medical evidence related to public health controls on the spread of Covid-19 and how these relate to the hospitality sector, such as pubs and restaurants, at any point between the date of this request [4 November 2020] and 1 March 2020. We would like to limit our ...

FOI unclear 80 score 79 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.3 s.4 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-09
Reference
FOI/202100146009
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Economy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding enhanced restrictions for places of worship: FOI release

“I would like to make an foi request with regards to the latest restrictions in place on places of worship. Can you provide details of any meeting minutes, or other recorded information, that pertains to any discussion or consideration made to ensure the regulations and guidance on places of worship comply with the Eu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-08
Reference
FOI/202100132535
Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Equality and rights, +1 more … Public sector

Scottish government funding provided to Scottish businesses: FOI release

1. Please can you confirm the total amount of money the Scottish Government have received from the UK Government. 2. The amount of money that has been distributed to Scottish business in grant support.

FOI already published 55 score 16 working days correspondence s.25(1)
Published
2021-03-08
Reference
FOI/202100134717
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, +1 more … Public sector

Communications concerning Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill and changes to Freedom of Information rules: FOI release

All communication between ministers, officials and press officers regarding the proposed changes to Freedom of Information rules.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 238 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/202000025358
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Extending response times to freedom of information requests: FOI review

Supply all correspondence/emails (including attachments) - to or from government ministers, special advisers or senior civil servants - dated on or prior to 2 April 2020 relating to the proposal to extend response times to freedom of information requests set out in Schedule 6 Part 2 of the [Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill....

FOI partially withheld 90 score 153 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.21(4) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/202000068453
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs referendum correspondence: FOI release

From 1 October 2020 to present: Copies of all emails to and from Michael Russell with the word ‘referendum’ in them (including in the email body, as an attachment, in the subject line and/or otherwise).

FOI already published 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-03
Reference
FOI/202000118630
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Understanding teacher estimates for grading pupils receiving qualifications in 2020: FOI release

In relation to teacher estimates to grade pupils receiving qualifications in 2020, you asked: what work has been done/activities been undertaken to better understand why teacher estimates were so much higher than historic attainment please provide me with any written information exploring this issue – including, but n...

FOI already published 80 score 55 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-02
Reference
FOI/202000117808
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector