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

Breakdown of legal fees over £50,000: FOI release

1. In the last five financial years (inclusive of 2021/22), please provide the details of which matters counsel or legal advice was sought for any cumulative cost of legal fees of more than £50,000. 2. This should include live and closed matters, with "matters" taken to be a general description of the action, not the l...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-07-05
Reference
FOI/202100209871
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Law and order, Money and tax, Public sector

Expenditure of James Hamilton QC inquiry: FOI release

Could you please tell me who paid for the James Hamilton QC inquiry and how much it cost.

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.25(1)
Published
2021-06-09
Reference
FOI/202100189377
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Cabinet Secretary for Health letter dated June 2018: FOI release

Documents, discussions & communications relating to a letter from The Cabinet Secretary for Health (Shona obison) to the Deputy First Minister (John Swinney) dated 13 June 2018 with reference 2018/0016281. And information contained in: Any discussions, communications & documents between Ms Robison, Mr Swinney, the Sco...

FOI unclear 75 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending 4 attachments
Published
2021-06-04
Reference
FOI/202100180873
Directorate
Health and Social Care Finance Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Costs of legal advice provided to special advisers for harassment inquiry: FOI release

The total cost, to date, of providing external legal services/advice to Scottish Government special advisers related to the Scottish Parliament's Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints. This should include all legal services related to the inquiry, such as providing personal legal advice...

FOI unclear 50 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers spending
Published
2021-04-21
Reference
FOI/202100158578
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Cost of legal advice provided to Chief of Staff: FOI release

The cost of any legal advice provided to Nicola Sturgeon's Chief of Staff Elizabeth Lloyd in relation to the Scottish Parliament's committee on the handling of harassment complaints and her involvement in the proceedings.

FOI unclear 50 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending
Published
2021-04-19
Reference
FOI/202100151009
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence between First Minister and Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland (JABS): FOI release

Any meetings or correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) between the First Minister and the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland or the Lord President of the Court of Session regarding the appointme...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.95(4) 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-19
Reference
FOI/202100154340
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Transport Scotland legal costs: FOI release

Information relating to Transport Scotland’s role in operating, maintaining, developing and constructing infrastructure. Please provide the following information, in respect of defending actions brought by external parties in relation to operating, maintaining, developing and constructing infrastructure: 1, The total l...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending
Published
2021-04-14
Reference
FOI/202100166368
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Legal advice received pertaining to Harassment Committee: FOI release

"I note that £76,000 of taxpayers money was spent on coaching civil servants for the recent parliamentary committee investigating complaints for Salmond. Following this, I would like to request: a) which company did this coaching? b) any records relating to the coaching including minutes, communications, and correspond...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence meetings contracts spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-03-15
Reference
FOI/202100157175
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information on complaints procedures for local authorities: FOI release

In relation to local authority complaints procedures I would like to ask if there is any publication or notice that gives advice to local authorities on the correct procedures? Also, are there any circumstances where it would be appropriate for a local authority service to escalate a complaint received by them to a fo...

FOI unclear 50 score 2 working days correspondence
Published
2021-03-09
Reference
FOI/202100148857
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Questions concerning COVID-19 testing and changes to vaccine dose schedule: FOI release

1. Could you please provide evidence that the delaying of the second Pfizer vaccine does not affect the efficiacy. 2. Could you please explain why the Governments are recording Covid Deaths as anyone having tested positive with covid by PCR testing. 3. Could you please provide information on what PCR cycles are being...

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2021-03-03
Reference
FOI/202100145692
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, 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

Autism within the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2003: FOI release

1. The direct definition of how and where autism is covered in the Act under the definition of learning disability; and 2. The specific part of the Mental Health Act/Codes/Guidance that states autism is covered within the act, and where it states that autism is a mental disorder/mental illness.

FOI unclear 55 score 3 working days correspondence s.32
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000127409
Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Equality and rights, Public sector

Civil Servant legal advice or advisory services costs: FOI release

'Please provide the cost of any legal advice or legal advisory services provided to Scottish Ministers who have or are set to attend in the near future an evidence session at the Scottish Parliament's Committee on the Scottish Government's Handling of Harassment Complaints'.

FOI unclear 55 score 10 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100145102
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Civil Servants preparation in giving evidence to Committee for Former First Minister inquiry: FOI release

Provide me with the current figure for the cost of providing external assistance for civil servants ahead of evidence sessions of the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints. A previous FOI put the figure at £54,378 as of November 3, so please provide an updated figure as of today (Jan 14...

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100137646
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Civil servant witnesses at Harassment Committee: FOI release

"having read that the ScotGov spent 55k on coaching for witnesses at the Alex Salmond enquiry I would like to obtain the following information. Which witnesses received this coaching. Why it was thought they need coaching to tell the truth under oath. Who decided that coaching was needed or appropriate. How much in to...

FOI unclear 55 score 15 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-05
Reference
FOI/202100144996
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Total cost of the daily media briefings by the Scottish government: FOI release

1. How much does it cost the Scottish government to use the BBC as a broadcaster for the daily briefing for the first minister could you break the cost down to category 2. Could you tell me the legislation that was used to implement the coronavirus legislation and the legislation used to implement the travel restricti...

FOI unclear 55 score 11 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.25(1) s.20
Published
2021-01-15
Reference
FOI/202100133093
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Correspondence stating “legal advice” from First Minister’s office between specified dates: FOI release

Any mentions of “legal advice” in any correspondence (including emails, attachments, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) from the First Minister or members of her office. Please limit the time period to 22 August 2018 until 1 January 2019.

FOI unclear 55 score 38 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.17(1)
Published
2021-01-08
Reference
FOI/202000110871
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

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

Obligations in legislation around domestic abuse and coercion of children: FOI release

What is the formal process whereby a now non-primary caregiving parents enacts their obligations under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995, and the Domestic Abuse Scotland Act, to make a report of domestic abuse by the use of sustained coercive control for their child/children, and third parties? whilst the background giv...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.11 s.1(1)
Published
2020-12-04
Reference
FOI/202000101069
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Questions concerning the Nike Conference held in February 2020: FOI release

I would like to request information relating to the Nike Confrence held in February 2020 at the Carlton Hotel in Edinburgh. 1. Could I request information on when the Scottish Government became aware of the outbreak? 2. Any communications between the Scottish Government and Nike PLC regarding the outbreak? 3. Legal ...

FOI unclear 55 score 128 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2020-11-25
Reference
FOI/202000036333
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Support for teachers and the education system during the COVID-19 pandemic: FOI release

1. Can you please confirm what, if any, steps have been taken to protect teachers from the COVID pandemic? 2. Further, as the pandemic is due to continue for some time to come what steps are planned to help improve the safety of our teachers? 3. What assurance is provided that any measures are being followed within s...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.2
Published
2020-10-23
Reference
FOI/202000091538
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Health and social care, +1 more … Public sector

Debt advice levy funding 2020/2021: FOI release

(i) "...how much from the fund devolved to the ScottishGovernment from the Financial Conduct Authority Debt Advice Kevy [Levy] has been given to Advice UK for this financial year (20-21) and for what purpose."; (ii) "...what other sums have been given to other organisations including the Scottish Legal Aid Board and f...

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending
Published
2020-10-14
Reference
FOI/202000083770
Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Money and tax, Public sector

Council Tax Debt Court cases: FOI release

Can you tell me why the scottish government has made it so that anybody who is allegedly owing the council money for services, the council can bypass lawful process's and procedures relating to a court and civil case, and why a court case for single person is denied any lawful procedure relating to a court case in cour...

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence spending
Published
2020-07-02
Reference
FOI/202000046230
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Purchase of the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow (Company): FOI release

“How much the Scottish Government spent purchasing the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow (Company) in August 2019. This should include: All advice and legal service costs; Redundancy costs (If any); Payments to Board members, owner/s of company; any Company Debts outstanding at time of Purchase; And any other co...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2020-03-30
Reference
FOI/202000018743
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Various questions regarding Scotland's economy: FOI release

You asked: I have a number of requests for information, required in order to consider the future of our country and in relation to the competence of our executive. Can you supply answers that tell me who to contact for this information. 1. In the event at some time in the future Scotland should opt for independence w...

FOI unclear 55 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.9
Published
2020-01-23
Reference
FOI/201900010515
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Brexit, Economy, Money and tax, +1 more … Public sector