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
320 matching releases

Operation Branchform correspondence: FOI release

Could you supply all correspondence between Police Scotland and the Scottish Government regarding the police investigation into the SNP codenamed Operation Branchform between March 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. How many meetings have Police Scotland's Iain Livingstone/other deputy chief constables held with the just...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.35(1) s.3 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-08-21
Reference
FOI/202300363848
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Consultation into the future of an agriculture bill: EIR release

1. What consultation has been undertaken regarding a future agriculture bill? 2. What work has been done to roll out the national test programme? 3. What progress has been made to make 50% of direct payments to climate action and funding for on-farm nature restoration and enhancement by 2025? 4. What work has been done...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.20 s.39(2) s.3 s.6
Published
2023-08-18
Reference
FOI/202300367432
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, Public sector

Planning applications and appeals for section 37: EIR release

"1. Please supply details of all section 37 applications that have been refused by the Scottish Government. 2. Please give details of all planning applications and appeals for new substations, relocated substations and expanded substations that have been refused in Scotland." You subsequently clarified the following ...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 15 working days correspondence ministers s.37 s.2 s.3 s.20 s.39(2) s.10
Published
2023-07-26
Reference
FOI/202300363703
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

First Minister briefing prepared for appearance before Public Audit Committee: FOI release

1. The full briefing that the First Minister received for her appearance before the Public Audit Committee on 4 November 2022. This should include all the documents that the First Minister took into the committee room for her appearance. 2. All meetings that the First Minister held in advance of her appearance before ...

FOI unclear 80 score 152 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.3 s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-06-19
Reference
FOI/202200328750
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Average response times for an FOI request: FOI release

1) The mean, median and maximum response times for an FOI to the Scottish Government over the last 12 months. 2) The number and percentage of FOIs that were referred to Special Advisers for each month of the last five years. 3) The mean, median and maximum response times for all FOIs referred to Special Advisers over t...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.3 s.20 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-25
Reference
FOI/202300352495
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Cop15 Trip Costs: FOI release

How much did it , completely cost, to send Lorna Slater to COP15 in Montreal 2022? 1. Break down of travel costs, and methods of travel - Start to Finish. 2. Hotel costs. 3. All other additional expenses. Since this meeting has been completed their should be no security reasons for divulging the costs. If the Green P...

FOI released 75 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.3
Published
2023-03-21
Reference
FOI/202300340387
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
International, 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

PhD students at university: FOI release

1. In each of the last five academic years, how many PhD candidates were supervised by the university since 2018? 2. In each of the last five academic years, how many UK domestic resident PhD candidates were supervised by the university since 2018? 3. What amount of PhD fees are charged by the university for the superv...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.25(1) s.17(1) s.20 s.3
Published
2023-03-09
Reference
FOI/202300341865
Directorate
Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Brussels office St Andrews Day celebration: FOI release

1. How much money was spent on the numerous St Andrews Day celebration events at the Scottish Governments Brussels Office. Breakdown of this spend. 2. Itinerary of Neil Gray the minister who attended the events in Brussels Including minutes taken from any meetings he had in Brussels. 3. Itinerary for Neil Gray’s trip t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.3 s.38(1) s.38 s.32(1) s.33(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-02-10
Reference
FOI/202200333610
Directorate
EU Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information regarding First Minister flights: FOI release

1) The total number of flights Nicola Sturgeon has taken since becoming First Minister in 2014, please separate these out into domestic and international flights. 2) The total cost of these flights, please separate these out into domestic and international flights. 3) The total distance of these flights, please separat...

FOI unclear 55 score 5 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.3 s.4 s.17(1)
Published
2023-02-06
Reference
FOI/202200323670
Directorate
Corporate Operations Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Scottish Budget

First Minister's August 2022 Copenhagen visit: FOI release

The following information related to the First Minister’s August 2022 visit to Copenhagen: 1) How much did Nicola Sturgeon's trip to Copenhagen cost and breakdown of these costs? 2) Itinerary of what Ms Sturgeon did in Copenhagen, including her mode of transport and where she stayed and costs of this. 3) Briefing notes...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.3 s.27(1) s.4 2 attachments
Published
2023-01-25
Reference
FOI/202200317683
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Proposed Independence Prospectus: FOI release

Information on the number of civil servants currently working to develop the proposed Independence Prospectus, for their remit, and timetable for publication.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.3 s.30
Published
2023-01-18
Reference
FOI/202200321527
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Super sponsor scheme - homes for Ukraine: FOI release

‘On Saturday 12th March 2022 a joint meeting/call was held with Michael Gove (Cabinet Secretary for Levelling up, Housing and Communities), Richard Harrington (Minister for Refugees) and the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales during which the UK Government’s plans for their ‘Homes for Ukraine’, humanitarian sponsors...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 6 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.1 s.3 s.17(1) s.12 s.8
Published
2023-01-05
Reference
FOI/202200332480
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Flights taken by Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie: FOI release

1. The total number of flights Lorna Slater has taken since becoming a Scottish Government Minister in 2021, please separate these out into domestic and international flights. 2. The total cost of these flights, please separate these out into domestic and international flights. 3. The total distance of these flights, p...

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.3 s.4
Published
2022-12-15
Reference
FOI/202200323652
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Adult Social Care Reform: FOI release

1. A copy of the discussion paper on Adult Social Care Reform. 2. A list of meeting dates for both the Leadership Alliance and People-Led Policy Panel and confirmation about whether they still exist. 3. The membership of the People-Led Policy Panel, both names and organisations. 4. Any policy papers which were agreed b...

FOI withheld 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.4 s.3 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-05
Reference
FOI/202200311272
Directorate
Social Care and National Care Service Development
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Health Board operation of Workforce Policies: FOI release

1. How does the Cabinet Secretary ensure that Health Boards operate the Workforce Policies in a fair manner as per the relevant governance standard? 2. If an employee is concerned that a health board is not applying the workforce governance standard and relevant policies fairly, to whom should this be reported within T...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts s.25(1) s.2 s.3 s.4
Published
2022-09-21
Reference
FOI/202200316244
Directorate
Health Workforce Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

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

Information on the £97m contract to build two CalMac ferries: EIR release

1/ Who signed off on the 97M fixed price contract in the Scottish government? 2/ What due diligence was taken prior to the signing of the contract? 3/ Who made the decision to carry on with the project after they were told to put the contract back out to tender?

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.3
Published
2022-07-26
Reference
FOI/202200290017
Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector, Transport

Contract award to Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd: EIR request

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), I would like to request the following information concerning the briefing paper, Contract award to FMEL and the associated risks, which was emailed to Transport Scotland and the CMAL Board on 30 September 2015; and the email titled, CMAL contract award to Fe...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 79 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts s.3 s.6 s.6(1) s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-25
Reference
FOI/202200291187
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Information on FOI requests received by the Government: FOI release

1) The total number of FOI requests received by the Scottish Ministers from requesters named Conor Matchett since January 1, 2021; 2) The number of those FOI requests responded to within the 20 day legal requirement; 3) For those FOIs which were subject to an internal review request, how many were responded to within...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.3 s.4 s.5 s.25(1)
Published
2022-07-25
Reference
FOI/202200305116
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Redesign of Urgent Care programme: FOI Review

1. Any ministerial briefings on the programme. 2. A copy of the Second RUC Staging Report, which this report notes was due end September 2021. If a final report is not ready, please provide any drafts or summaries. 3. Any other internal evaluations of the RUC programme that have not been published. This would include e...

FOI already published 80 score 74 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.3 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-19
Reference
FOI/202100257472 Review of 202100250899
Directorate
Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Risk Management Authority required to approve a Risk Management Plan: FOI release

1. Information which your department uses when dealing and processing requests relating to the termination or changing of life licence. 2. If there is no input from the Justice Department then why can the supervising social Worker not submit the request directly to the Parole Board? 3. The determination of life licence...

FOI unclear 55 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2(5) s.1(210F) s.12(3) s.3
Published
2022-06-15
Reference
FOI/202200294386
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Support for victims of human trafficking: FOI release

Information on the number of people who have been secured support by Scottish Ministers under Section 9 (3) of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 for such a period as they think appropriate after a conclusive determination has been made by a competent authority (following a referral into the Nat...

FOI not held 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.9 s.3 s.20
Published
2022-05-18
Reference
FOI/202200292222
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, 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

Tertiary education in North and South Lanarkshire: FOI release

1. What action has the Scottish Government taken to ensure that the Boards of both South Lanarkshire College and New College Lanarkshire are complying with the terms of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Post-16 Education (Scotland) Act 2013? 2. What action has the Scottish Government taken t...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.3 s.17(1)
Published
2022-05-16
Reference
FOI/202200286357
Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector