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
1,607 matching releases

Scottish Government's involvement in smelting facilities owned by Aluance British Aluminium Ltd: FOI release

I write concerning the involvement of the Scottish Government in the Lochaber Smelter owned by Aluance British Aluminium Ltd which is controlled by Sanjeer Gupta The company has three charges against it in the name of Scottish Ministers, effectively the Scottish Government, for money loaned to the company. Companies H...

FOI unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.3
Published
2026-02-02
Reference
FOI/202500491840
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate breakdown of policy development and implementation: FOI release

I’d like to request your usual good services and ask for a list sub/ governances groups or boards on the divisional level for the Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate These would be groups or boards that brings together external policy stakeholders with the Scottish Government to give strategic oversight of...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2026-01-28
Reference
FOI/202500490019
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Cost of merging NHS Education for Scotland and NHS National Services Scotland to create NHS Delivery: FOI release

Thank you for your request dated 24 October 2025 under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), through which you asked for: 1. The projected total cost of merging NHS Education for Scotland and NHS National Services Scotland to create NHS Delivery. 2. The projected savings per year from merging NHS Ed...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2026-01-27
Reference
FOI/202500490759
Directorate
Digital Health and Care Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Cairngorms National Park Fire Management Byelaws 2025: EIR release

Please send me the following information about the process whereby you (the Scottish Ministers) confirmed the above byelaws: 1. Briefing papers: copies of any paper by officials to Ministers concerning the byelaws. 2. Objections: copies of all objections received to the byelaws. 3. Consideration of objections: copie...

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.2 s.3 s.4 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-26
Reference
FOI/202500489046
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Reform of council tax meetings information: FOI release

For the period 29th March 2023 - date, please provide a list of the meetings (in person or virtual) involving Shona Robison at which the reform of council tax was discussed. For each relevant meeting, please indicate the date of the meeting and who attended the meeting.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-21
Reference
FOI/202500488763
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government spend on books for children and teenagers: FOI release

How much money has the Scottish Government spent on free books for children and teenagers in each of the last five years, with a breakdown per year?

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2026-01-21
Reference
FOI/202500485454
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Scottish taxpayer comparison data: FOI release

Any information held by the Scottish Government which explains how John Swinney’s below remarks are consistent with HMRC data published in this FOI response: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/scottish_tax_payers#incoming-3077026. At FMQs on 2nd October 2025, John Swinney said this: “Over half of taxpayers in Sco...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488526
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Actions to improve Gaelic and Scots language skills: FOI release

You asked for what actions have been undertaken so far by the Scottish Government to boost Gaelic and Scots language since the bill passed.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500486935
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Transport Scotland Concessionary Travel Scheme queries: FOI release

1. How is the reimbursement to a bus operator for the use of a concession card calculated? Does this vary by operator / route / local authority area? Please provide any guidance on calculations that you think will help me to understand how the scheme works. 2. Could you confirm how the annual costs of the scheme (past...

FOI unclear 55 score 2 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2
Published
2026-01-19
Reference
FOI/202500491405
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Major capital or infrastructure projects progress updates: FOI release

A list of all major capital or infrastructure projects currently underway, including: Project name. Original budgeted cost. Current actual spend. Forecasted total cost. Any cost overruns and explanations provided. Any reports, summaries, or internal documents that provide insight into spending decisions and accountabi...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.25(1)
Published
2026-01-14
Reference
FOI/202500484813
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence relating to farm machinery and the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023: FOI release

1. Please can you share any correspondence sent from Siobhian Brown or Angela Constance to the UK Government/Home Office since 11 June 2025 on the topic of farm machinery/equipment theft. 2. Please can you share any correspondence sent to Siobhian Brown or Angela Constance from the UK Government/Home Office since 11 J...

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-13
Reference
FOI/202500486451
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Date and author of the first draft of “Your Right to Decide”: FOI release

On what date was the first draft of “Your Right to Decide”, published on 4th September 2025, completed? Who wrote that first draft? If they cannot be named, please state their position (or positions).

FOI unclear 50 score correspondence ministers
Published
2026-01-13
Reference
FOI/202500483272
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Work and skills

Forestry and Land Scotland and Glenprosen Estate correspondence: EIR release

a/ A list of consultation meetings FLS has been involved with in relation to the purchase of the Glenprosen estate, Angus Glens. b/ A list of consultees with whom discussions took place c/ A copy of all briefing notes, speaking notes, emails and other written communication, including Whatsapp and text messages, to an...

FOI/EIR unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending
Published
2026-01-12
Reference
EIR/202500484367
Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Internal Dispute Resolution Procedures (IDRPs) statistics: FOI release

1) Outstanding IDRPs by Year: The total number of Internal Dispute Resolution Procedures (IDRPs) that were resolved or outstanding at the end of each calendar year for the past five years (Oct 2021-Oct 2025), broken down by year. 2) Current Compensation Claims: The number of claims for compensation relating to failure...

FOI unclear 55 score 15 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2
Published
2026-01-12
Reference
FOI/202500495754
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Information collected under Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations 2018: FOI release

1. The number of reports made to the authority for each subsector they were a Designated Competent Authority during 2024. 2. The number of reports made to the authority for each subsector they were a Designated Competent Authority during 2024 which concern cybersecurity incidents. 3. Of the reports made during 2024 w...

FOI unclear 55 score 7 working days correspondence ministers s.3 s.20 s.11
Published
2026-01-07
Reference
FOI/202500486486
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Publishing delay of the Government spend reports query: FOI release

Can you please send me details of why the Government spend over 25k reports have not been updated since February. The reports already lag about 5 months behind but now they appear to be a whole year behind. Please send any details about how and why the reports are being delayed including correspondences about the relea...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-07
Reference
FOI/202500484082
Directorate
Financial Management Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Funding to charities: FOI release

Information on charitable donations made by the Scottish Government over the last five years (2019–2024 inclusive). Please provide: The total annual value of donations made to charities. A list of the charities that have received funding in each year. The amount each charity received.

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2026-01-06
Reference
FOI/202500485786
Directorate
Tackling Child Poverty and Social Justice Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Public sector

Scottish Government legal fees contesting Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

How much has the Scottish Government spent on defending itself against the Scottish Information Commissioner over the last five years, with a breakdown per year and what the money was spent on?

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2025-12-10
Reference
FOI/202500483660
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) Allocations to Scottish Local Authorities and Site-Level Funding: FOI release

1. A breakdown of Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) allocations to all Scottish local authorities from 2018 to the present. Please include: Local authority name Financial year Amount awarded 2. For each local authority, a list of the specific sites that received VDLF funding, including: Site name and location Pro...

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2025-12-09
Reference
FOI/202500480746
Directorate
Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003 regulations to increase Council Tax on second homes: FOI Review

Original request 202500479898 QUESTION 1: What is the provision and specific wording of section 33(1) and (2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003 which authorises the making of Regulations to impose an increase in Council Tax liability for "second homes"? QUESTION 2: Do local authorities have a discretionary ...

FOI unclear 55 score 9 working days correspondence ministers s.33(1) s.20 s.6
Published
2025-12-09
Reference
FOI/202500484805 Review of 202500479898
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Takeaways to Bute House, St Andrews House and Victoria Quay: FOI release

You asked for the total number of times that food delivery companies (e.g. Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or Just Eat) delivered food to Bute House, St Andrews House, and Victoria Quay to cater to orders from Scottish Ministers or civil servants since 2021.

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2025-12-08
Reference
FOI/202500482317
Directorate
Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Public Appointment extension to terms of office queries: FOI release

1. Given the guidance on the Public Appointments website in relation to the maximum term of office under a Public Appointment, I am writing to ask under Freedom of Information legislation, under what criteria are extensions to this rule made? 2. In relation to the Public Body, Children’s Hearings Scotland, how many ap...

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)
Published
2025-11-20
Reference
FOI/202500481212
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills