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
569 matching releases

Communications between the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information team and Michael Matheson: FOI release

Copies of communications between the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information team and Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport. Please include communications with his office and his Special Advisers, and restrict the search the dates between 4th April 2022 and 15th November 2022

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-07
Reference
202200330329
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Lord Advocate statement to Parliament on her referral to the Supreme Court on the matter of an Independence Bill being within the competence of the Scottish Parliament: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Lord Advocate from June 2022 in relation to requests for the Lord Advocate to provide a statement to Parliament on her referral to the Supreme Court on the matter of an independence Bill being within the competence of the Scottish Parliament.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-30
Reference
202200309710
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Lady Haldane's opinion on the petition for Women Scotland LTD for judicial review: FOI release

Are you able to release any external or internal legal advice to Ministers following Lady Haldane's opinion on the petition of For Women Scotland Ltd for judicial review of the revised statutory guidance produced by the Scottish Ministers under section 7 of the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 62 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.7 s.38(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-30
Reference
202300337958
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice on independence referendum: FOI release

The amount spent on legal advice regarding the Scottish Government’s prospectus for an independent Scotland between 07 September 2021 and the date of response to this inquiry? Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, brief...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
202200287065
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

External legal advice: FOI release

Request for Information 1: The total spend, broken down by financial or calendar year, on external legal advice since April 1, 2020. (I.e. 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 to date). Request for Information 2: Please break this down by the list of associated cases or disputes, and their individual cost. Request for Informa...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
202200332507
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Sea lice sampling data for 2021/22: EIR release

Marine Scotland Science fund local fisheries trusts to conduct sea lice sampling of sea trout. The results to 2019 have been published on a spreadsheet available on the Scottish Government website. Results after 2019 are published by Fisheries Management Scotland on their website but as a PDF. Requests to FMS for a co...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.9 s.10(5) s.21 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
202300337272
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information relating to the organisation's total spend on external legal advice since 1 April 2020: FOI release

The total spend, broken down by financial or calendar year, on external legal advice since April 1, 2020. (I.e. 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 to date) Please break this down by the list of associated cases or disputes, and their individual cost. If possible, please provide the final settlement or damages or other court man...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 10 working days correspondence spending s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2023-11-20
Reference
202200332491
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

SQA equalities judgement: FOI release

Any correspondence relating to the SQA equalities judgement.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 428 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25 s.30 s.30C s.23 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-13
Reference
202100246964
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Letter referenced by John Swinney in Stage 3 debate on UNCRC Bill: FOI release

Internal or external correspondence between 04/03/2021 and 04/06/2021 on the topic of the letter referenced by John Swinney MSP in the Official Report from the Stage 3 debate on the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 81 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202200280656
Directorate
Children and Families 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

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

Historic injustice apology: FOI release

You asked for information relation to three apologies for historic injustice by the Scottish Government, namely those relating to historical adoption practices, criminalisation of same-sex male relations and persecution of women accused of witchcraft. The information you sought about each apology is: 1. All outputs of ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.18(1) s.28 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300368384
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Communications relating to Engagement of developing anti-racist infrastructure / Anti-Racism Interim Governance Group: FOI release

The following information: 1) FROM January 2021 and TILL June 2023, how many times did the then Minister for Equalities and Older People Christina McKelvie MSP meet BEMIS, CEMVO or CRER as strategic partners to the Scottish Government; what dates, who attended and for what purpose. 2) FROM November 2020 TILL June 202...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.29(1) s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300367874
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Infected Blood Compensation or the Infected Blood Inquiry: FoI review

“…copies of all correspondence relating to Infected Blood Compensation or the Infected Blood Inquiry second interim report sent to or received by the below persons (including any attachments) during the period 1st April 2023 - 6th June 2023. 1) John-Paul Marks (Permanent Secretary) 2) David Rogers (Director of Constitu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38 s.29(1) s.30 s.28(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-01
Reference
FOI/202300367507 review of 202300360427
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public safety and emergencies, 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

Hunting with Dogs Consultation (November 2021): EIR release

Full responses from each of the 48 organisations on the "Hunting with Dogs" consultation that ended in November 2021. You specifically requested to see responses received for each question and any invited comment, specifically: All responses to closed questions from organisations Invited responses for Q5 Invited respo...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.10(5) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-31
Reference
202300345554
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

ERDM folder dedicated to FOI 202100233415: FOI Release

You asked for “1) The contents of the one ERDM folder dedicated to FOI 202100233415 which includes 53 items detailed in the response to FOI 202300363650.”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.47(1) s.49(3) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-30
Reference
FOI/202300368165
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government from Lorna Slater: EIR release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to the following meetings: Lorna Slater's meeting with Christine C...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 80 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(5) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-23
Reference
202300338451
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding the ban on alcohol on trains from 1 January, 2022 to date: FOI release

Any correspondence including memos, minutes, agendas, attachments to emails, between ScotRail and the Scottish Government on the topic of the ban on alcohol on trains from January 1, 2022 to date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 221 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.29(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-20
Reference
202200313459
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence on the alcohol ban on ScotRail trains: FOI release

Please send me correspondence with the Scotrail on the alcohol ban on ScotRail trains. Please also send me the number antisocial behaviour incidents recorded each month since January 2018.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 221 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.29(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-20
Reference
202200313595
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government information in relation to child safeguarding concerns: FOI release

all information held by the Scottish Government in relation to the child safeguarding concerns you raised in 2022 and 2023, including all documents held and communications (emails / letters) both internal and with other third parties such as Education Scotland; and all information held in relation to the review recentl...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 47 working days over deadline correspondence s.38(1) s.25(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-16
Reference
202300353761
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Covid Public Inquiry Establishment Division: FOI review

Further to my letter of 3 November 2021 acknowledging your request for a review and Robert Spratt’s letter of 29 November 2021 explaining the delay in responding due to volume and complexity of the information covered, I have now completed my review of our response to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 278 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) s.30 s.36 2 attachments
Published
2023-09-15
Reference
202100251822 Review of 202100244389
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Independent valuation of the Scottish Government's securities: FOI review

You expressed you were not satisfied with our reply to your original Freedom of Information (FoI) request which was allocated reference number 20220031298479: “1) The Scottish Government in media statements has stated that an independent valuation of the Scottish Government's securities relating to the Lochaber Guaran...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 5 working days correspondence ministers s.33(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.36(2)
Published
2023-09-11
Reference
FOI/202200317840 Review of 20220031298479
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Number of draft versions of the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Scotland Bill: FOI release

A list of the number of drafts/versions of the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Scotland Bill Policy Memorandum and Explanatory Notes and first draft of each document.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.29(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-08-29
Reference
FOI/202300364441
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector