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
48 matching releases

Various questions regarding COVID-19: FoI release

1. How many of Humza Yousaf's cabinet use their personal emails for government business? List of who does. 2. What was the final outcome of Ruth Charteris investigating into missing WhatsApps as referenced here: https://news.sky.com/story/scotlands-first-minister-humza-yousaf-to-fully-investigate-concerns-messages-not-...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending whatsapp s.2 s.17(1) s.3 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-09
Reference
FOI/202400392573
Directorate
Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public safety and emergencies, +1 more … Public sector

Statements to Parliament by Cabinet Secretary for Education, Shirley-Ann Sommerville 02/02/23: FOI release

1a) was the Cabinet Secretary fully aware of the publicly stated breach of the ACAS code by the Chair of SLC (Paul Hutchinson) on the 23rd January prior to her response in parliament on the 2nd February? b) is the Cabinet Secretary still ‘content’ that due process has been followed by the SLC Board in relation to the ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 10 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.3 s.12 s.4 s.1 s.30
Published
2023-10-31
Reference
202300349269
Directorate
Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Imports, disease and biosecurity in relation to Atlantic salmon and salmon farming: EIR release

Information relating to the subject area of ‘imports, disease and biosecurity’ in relation to Atlantic salmon and salmon farming. The questions posed and information requested covered a number of areas including, import notifications, refusals to allow imports, authorisations associated with Aquaculture Production Busi...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.1 s.20 s.39(2) s.7 s.11(2) s.10(4) s.9 s.10 s.3 s.34(1) s.6(1)
Published
2023-03-14
Reference
FOI/202200279510
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Recruitment processes for "Senior Policy Advisors - Various Climate Change Posts" from June 2022: FOI release

1. What were the circumstances that related to the cancelling of 12 posts advertised externally under the heading "Senior Policy Advisors - Various Climate Change Posts" reference 2022-2955, which closed to external applicants on 2 June 2022? What was the nature of the 'internal business review' that was stated as the ...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence meetings spending s.9 s.2 s.3 s.15 s.6
Published
2022-12-06
Reference
FOI/202200314931
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Questions regarding work on "Building a New Scotland" document: FOI release

1. How many civil servants worked on these documents and for how long and what the total cost of this was? 2. How many special advisers worked on these papers and what exactly their role was. I would also like to know if any of the special advisers have authority over civil servants. 3. Has the advice of the Permanen...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.3 s.17(1)
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202200306418
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Sexual abuse in Scottish football: FOI release

1. In that request, I was informed that the Scottish Government had not made contact with the United States Department of Justice, The New Jersey Attorney General, or both. Since the previous request: 1.1 Has the Scottish Government made contact with either or both? 1.2 If no contact has been made, can it be explained...

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.1 s.2 s.3 s.17 s.5
Published
2022-05-17
Reference
FOI/202200289175
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

A75 traffic controls within Springholm: EIR review

1. Details of the time delays now operating at the Springholm A75 eastbound and westbound entering and exiting channel signals between initial detection of a speeding approaching vehicle and the commencement of presentation of the amber signal preceding red. If this delay varies according to signal approach location, t...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence meetings contracts s.7 s.6 s.6(1) s.2 s.3 s.10(4) s.17(1) s.16
Published
2021-12-22
Reference
FOI/202100251313 review of 202100242248
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Information held relating to abortion protests: FOI release

1. Any correspondence to and from Scottish Ministers on the topic of protests outside facilities providing abortions or sexual health care. 2. Any correspondence, meeting notes, minutes or any other documentation relating to meetings or discussions between the Scottish Government, local authorities and/or COSLA on the ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.3 s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-15
Reference
FOI/202100243716
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Transport Scotland legal services structure: FOI release

1. Please provide a copy of legal services structure showing service structure, position in the organisation, reporting structure, team structure and number of solicitors and non-qualified officers (ie paralegals, legal assistants and other support officers). 2. Please provide details of professional staff numbers and ...

FOI unclear 55 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.3 s.10 s.11
Published
2021-02-16
Reference
FOI/202000119519
Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector, Transport

Questions concerning legislation and police powers in enforcing restrictions: FOI release

1. Copies of all the scientific evidence used to determine the efficacy of Scotland's 4 tiers rules. 2. Details of devolved legislative powers being used by Scotland to enforce these 4 tiers. 3. Details of devolved legislative powers being used or will be used to prevent travel in / out of Scotland and around Scotlan...

FOI unclear 55 score 49 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2 s.3 s.4 s.6 s.25(1) s.20 s.49
Published
2020-12-11
Reference
FOI/202000103347
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Law and order, +1 more … Public sector

Questions concerning the COVID-19 voluntary restrictions involving students: FOI release

1. Please can the Scottish government confirm that it has taken legal advice on measures which target students and can this be provided. 2. Please can you confirm whether the Scottish government is directing or allowing police to specifically target students. 3. Has the Scottish government taken any legal advice on t...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.3 s.4 s.36(1) s.17(1)
Published
2020-11-11
Reference
FOI/202000091329
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Association of Scotland's Self Caterers (ASSC) COVID-19 exemption: FOI release

All documents or transcripts relating to the legal advice or clarification provided to the Association of Self Catering Scotland on 22 September 2020 regarding the exemption granted to all self catering accommodation Scotland from the single two households only rule. This has been widely publicised by ASSC on social me...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.38(1) s.2 s.3 s.4 s.7 4 attachments
Published
2020-11-03
Reference
FOI/202000090205
Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Social and Equality Impacts of Brexit - questions on formulation of the report: FOI release

i. What criteria was used to determine which authors to consider for the report? ii. How many academics, or others, were considered as authors before Dr Hepburn was chosen? iii. Who made the final choice of Dr Hepburn as author? iv. What was the brief, if any, given the Dr Hepburn by the Scottish Government?

FOI partially withheld 65 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.38(1) s.3
Published
2020-02-21
Reference
FOI/202000014416
Directorate
Topic
Brexit, Communities and third sector, Public sector

Diocese approved roles in Roman Catholic Schools: FOI release

In 2016 it was reported that the EHRC had called for a review of the current situation whereby applicants to roles in Roman Catholic schools must be approved by the relevant diocese. (https://www.scottishlegal.com/article/equalities-experts-call-for-review-of-catholic-schools-right-to-vet-applicants-for-religious-suita...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.21 s.38(1) s.28 s.3 s.21(2A) 6 attachments
Published
2019-10-18
Reference
FOI/201900004423
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Various questions on case against Former First Minister: FOI release

You asked for: 1. Please specify the job description of Ms Katy Bowman, Special Adviser to the First Minister both at present and in 2014. 2. Please identify the line management responsibilities of Ms Liz Lloyd, First Minister’s chief of staff, to Ms Katy Bowman, Special Adviser to the First Minister. 3. Please iden...

FOI not held 45 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.5 s.6 s.17(1) s.3 s.18(1) s.28 s.12 s.35(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1)
Published
2019-09-13
Reference
FOI/19/01942
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Various questions relating to the Equality Network: FOI release

You asked us to provide information relating to the Equality Network: 1) I formally request copies of the latest and current Child Protection/Vulnerable Adults Policies for the three organisations, ENL, LGBTYS, and Stonewall Scotland. 2) Please any documentation that refutes this conclusion that ‘the Scottish Governm...

FOI clarification 80 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.3 s.15 s.17(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.14 s.10 4 attachments
Published
2019-08-09
Reference
FOI/19/01568
Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Measures in place to protect people from governmental abuses: FOI release

1. An explanation of “what measures are taken into place to protect the people from any governmental abuses and oppression” and supply you with references to these laws and documents. 2. Documents on what can be done when government do abuse and oppress the fundamental rights, interests and welfare of the people. 3. ...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.25(1) s.3 2 attachments
Published
2019-06-25
Reference
FOI/19/01393
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Law and order, Public sector

Various questions - Payment redress scheme for survivors of historical child abuse in care: FOI release

You asked for the rationale, decision making behind: 1. Only above age 70 or terminally ill, any advice re: either real or perceived discrimination or human rights ECHR IMPACT upon those not fitting with said gateway. 2. The decision to not seek corroboration or police verification of disclosure to police as per crim...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.3 s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1)
Published
2019-06-18
Reference
FOI/201900001975
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Aberdeen Harbour Expansion Project documentation relating to Blasting Methodology Environmental Mitigation: EIR release

1. A copy of the report issued to MS-LOT (and SNH) by DRAGADOS/AHB, as specified in Sub-section 4.2 (Page 3) of the report headed Blasting Methodology Environmental Mitigation - Marine Mammals: Document AHEP-DRA-EMP-0003; 2. Copies of data/data summaries/evaluations of vibration monitoring as specified in Section 4.2 ...

FOI/EIR clarification 55 score 59 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.4 s.3 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2)
Published
2019-03-12
Reference
FOI/18/03699
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector