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
115 matching releases

Testing for contaminants on marine animals in Scottish waters: EIR release

“- What testing for contaminants has been done on marine animals in Scottish waters since 2020? - What contaminants, including illegal drugs and legal medication, have been found in marine animals, as a result of these tests? - What reporting has been done to Scottish Government ministers on these findings? Please tre...

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.9
Published
2024-09-13
Reference
FOI/202400412098
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Disabling Barriers Scotland: FOI release

1. I would like to know what involvement that the Scottish Government has had with the charity known as “Disabling Barriers Scotland". 2. Also, what the Scottish Government has done to improve disability equality within the legal sector?

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400411563
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Equality and rights, Public sector

Information on Account in Bankruptcy staffing and processes: FOI release

a) Please advise the managerial lines of responsibility between the AIB’s Chief Executive and the Recall Administration and Recall teams. b) With regard to the AIB’s Recall Administration Team, please advise In what manner and in what terms is its operational remit defined? Is it a permanently constituted and staffed ...

FOI unclear 80 score 36 working days over deadline correspondence contracts s.37(4) 4 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202300382649
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Amount spent on Morton Fraser MacRoberts services: FOI release

Total amount spent by the Scottish Government on services from Morton Fraser MacRoberts with regards to services provided to: 1. Professor Sir Gregor Smith 2. Jeane Freeman 3. Dr Jason Leitch 4. Ken Thomson 5. Dr Audrey MacDougall Please provide costings since 1 July 2023.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending
Published
2024-04-23
Reference
FOI/202400401951
Directorate
Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Monitoring fish landings by EU boats in Scottish Ports: EIR release

Could you let me know if you are monitoring overlanded fish landings by EU boats in Scottish Ports? If you are not? Then why Not?

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence s.9
Published
2024-04-18
Reference
EIR/202400396433
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

State Pension Payments: FOI release

Since 5th May 2011, has the Scottish Government ever sought legal advice on who would be legally responsible for paying the state pension in an independent Scotland? In other words: has advice been sought on the question of whether a continuing UK Government would have a legal obligation to pay the state pension to peo...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence spending
Published
2024-04-08
Reference
FOI/202400403372
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Building a new Scotland, Public sector

Cost of legal actions incurred regarding investigation into Former First Minister: FOI release

Can I request the total cost of all the Scottish Government legal action regarding the FOI request to see evidence submitted by SG to James Hamilton’s investigation into Nicola Sturgeon? Can you give a breakdown of how this cost was incurred?

FOI unclear 50 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending
Published
2024-02-28
Reference
FOI/202300388343
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Lost fishing pots in Scotland's waters: EIR release

“I am hoping the Marine Scotland can provide me with the number of lost fishing pots in Scotland's waters for the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023”?

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence s.12 s.9
Published
2024-02-22
Reference
EIR/202400392508
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Trans Inclusion Guidance: FOI release

All written communications, and dates and minutes/notes from meetings that mention Scottish Government guidance related to ensuring policy makers and service providers being able to collectively realise trans and women's rights. You also asked for any draft copies of this guidance, and any communication regarding the ...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence meetings s.25(1) s.38 s.29 s.36 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-20
Reference
FOI/202300377504
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Scottish Government legal case costs: FOI release

In reference to the court case known as The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23) what were the Scottish Governments legal costs associated with defending this case which they lost?

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending
Published
2024-02-15
Reference
FOI/202300388330
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Court of Session costs: FOI release

The total cost of the Scottish Government’s decision to appeal the FOI commissioners ruling to the Court of Session. Please include all related court/lawyers fees, all money spent on the process to appeal. Please give me a clear breakdown of the costs. (who paid for what etc).

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence spending
Published
2024-02-15
Reference
FOI/202300390967
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Information Commissioner court case expense: FOI release

Could you provide the full cost of fighting the court case against the Information Commissioner over the James Hamilton report, with the case calling on December 6? Could you provide the full breakdown of costs?

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2024-02-15
Reference
FOI/202300388404
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Costs of external legal action for SAAS, 2020-2023: FOI review

The total spend, broken down by financial or calendar year, on external legal advice for the Student Awards Agency Scotland 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, and; If possible, please provide the f...

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence spending
Published
2024-01-24
Reference
202200332515
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Glen Sannox and Hull 802 delays: FOI release

The reasons Glen Sannox and hull 802 have been delayed Where the further £6m costs come from? How many people working for Ferguson Marine were paid a bonus and how much was each person paid? Were the bonus payments legal? Who authorised the bonus payments? Are the engines in fully running order? Is there any possibilit...

FOI unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2024-01-19
Reference
202300347685
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Definition of Protected Marine Areas in Scotland: EIR release

Please define what Marine Protected Areas are in Scotland? As various formats of ‘MPA’s are already being used by the Marine Scotland Directorate, please expand this definition for each different classification? Please supply examples of where and how these different definitions have been used in the marine environment...

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence s.6(1) s.11(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.19 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-17
Reference
202300364330
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Allocation and use of the Debt Levy within the Scottish Government: FOI release

The total debt levy allocation to Scotland as a sum of money in 2022/23 and 2023/24. The organisations in Scotland that have been allocated debt levy funding for 2023/24 with a breakdown of the respective awards of funding to each organisation. The Scottish Minister who approved this allocation of funding, the timeline...

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
202300345542
Directorate
Tackling Child Poverty and Social Justice Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice provided regarding independence referendum: FOI release

Please provide me with the legislative advice and reference provided to the Scottish Government and First Minister relating to the proposed Independence Referendum as referred to by the Information Commissioner in recent media.

FOI unclear 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202200299367
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Appropriate level for local authorities to set penalty charge notices (“PCN”): FOI release

Regarding the conclusion reached that PCN levels needed to be raised in Scotland. Regarding the evidence supporting that decision. Detailing what methodology TS used in weighting the different consultation responses, for example a Local Authority as against individual respondents. Relevant to, all and any advice receiv...

FOI unclear 50 score 14 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300362203
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

The New School Butterstone closure: FOI release

You asked for the amount of money spent by the Scottish Government on external legal advice in the independent review into the closure of The New School, Butterstone, and the legal firms involved.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
202300340536
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Education Scotland's total spend on external consultants over the last 5 years: FOI release

I am interested in Education Scotland's total spend on external consultants over the last five years. For each of the last five years, please advise: The total amount spent by Education Scotland on external advisors / advisory services. A breakdown of this spending for each year, showing the name of each consultant/c...

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence spending
Published
2023-11-01
Reference
FOI/202300376352
Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

COVID-19 face coverings in schools guidance: FOI release

1. Which man/woman or men/women wrote this guidance? (It is not signed by anyone as far as I can tell. 2. Which man/woman or men/women within the SG proclaim(s) to have the authority to impose masks (etc) on other people's children against their wishes (ie, without their freely-given consent)? (Or is the guidance all ...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2023-10-25
Reference
202200326281
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003: FOI Release

You asked for a breakdown of figures since the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (‘2003 Act’) came into force on the following; The number of patients who have had their named persons and witnesses revoked under the 2003 Act. How many of those patients went on to be made subject to compulsory meas...

FOI unclear 55 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.7 s.17(1)
Published
2023-09-14
Reference
202300367993
Directorate
Mental Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Chief Medical Officer stance on Covid-19 vaccine: FOI release

1- Has Dr. Gregor Smith Chief Medical Officer for Scotland ever claimed COVID-19 vaccines were safe and effective? 2- If so, what is meant by 'safe and effective' and from what date and data was this claim based on? 3- Is Dr. Gregor Smith Chief Medical Officer for Scotland confident full informed consent has been appli...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending whatsapp s.12
Published
2023-09-04
Reference
FOI/202300370540
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Serco NorthLink Ferries: FOI release

Please clarify whether you are responsible for answering FOI requests relating to the contract carried out by Serco Northlink Ferries for the service between Aberdeen and Orkney and Shetland. If you are not, please state which public body is responsible. With reference to the ferry service carried out by Serco Northlin...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence contracts s.7 s.17(1)
Published
2023-08-16
Reference
FOI/202300365182
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Legal action and costs: FOI release

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) 1a) Please break this down by the list of associated cases or disputes, and their individual cost. 1b) If possible, please provide the final settlement or damages or othe...

FOI unclear 75 score 16 working days correspondence contracts spending 2 attachments
Published
2023-02-15
Reference
FOI/202200332628
Directorate
Topic
Public sector