Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,864releases indexed
39,478attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,113partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-06-12newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,113 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4931 s.20 4280 s.34(1) 3589 s.39(2) 3481 s.30 2878 s.17(1) 2774 s.25(1) 2381 s.10(4) 1987 s.11(2) 1571 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1158 s.3 908

Timeline

2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,279 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 967 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 923 releases · 31.0 avg days Learning Directorate 861 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 729 releases · 39.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 633 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
1,607 matching releases

Investment to Forestry and Land Scotland Newton Nursery: FOI release

1. Whether a cost-benefit analysis was carried out before granting the £20m investment to FLS Newton, Moray; 2. What the objectives are for the investment in number of plants, jobs created or secured; 3. Whether alternative arrangements were considered, for example, a government partnership with the private sector with...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending s.4
Published
2021-04-12
Reference
FOI/202100162466
Directorate
Public Spending Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Table top exercises regarding management of pandemic outbreak: FOI release

a) How many table top exercises were undertaken by the Scottish Government or any of its Agencies into the management and control of a pandemic outbreak in each of the years 2005, onwards? b) What “lessons” were learned from those exercises, and will it publish the findings? c) Which Government Ministers had oversight ...

FOI unclear 55 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1)
Published
2021-04-08
Reference
FOI/202100149508
Directorate
Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Information regarding high-speed rail link between Edinburgh and Glasgow: EIR release

A copy of the study conducted by the Scottish Government and/or Transport Scotland into a highspeed rail link between Edinburgh and Glasgow, with journey times of 30 minutes, referred to by Keith Brown and Peter Lloyd at the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee on 20 February 2013 and which was to be complet...

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.11(2) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-04-08
Reference
FOI/202100134794
Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector, Transport

Communications regarding Chromebook purchases for local authorities: FOI release

The Scottish Government has purchased Chromebooks which have then been offered to local authorities for distribution to pupils in need. I would like to know how the government arrived at the decision to purchase Chromebooks rather than an alternative. I would therefore like the government to provide all materials regar...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-08
Reference
FOI/202100136555
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

COVID related absences within Forth Valley Police Division: FOI release

The number of Covid-related absences that have been recorded within the Forth Valley Police Division from 1 December 2020 to 28 February 2021.

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2021-04-07
Reference
FOI/202100164193
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

North Lowther Energy Initiative wind powered electricity generating station: EIR release

In relation to the North Lowther Energy Initiative wind powered electricity generating station a “copy of the report which was submitted to the Minister in respect of the proposed decision and any accompanying email/letter".

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.6(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-07
Reference
FOI/202100141546
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Investment into Scotland road repairs: FOI release

How you are going to get Scotland's roads repaired, resurfaced and reline painted urgently after this appalling winter weather and can you please tell me how much money you plan to invest in the roads.

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2021-04-01
Reference
FOI/202100164926
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector, Transport

Details regarding First Minister's Scottish Government website biography photograph: FOI release

"Who paid for this photograph? Who owns the copyright or licensing rights? It has been used in the recent past on the side of a bus, on a helicopter and in advertising material specifically for political and campaign purposes. Can I please ask whom in the Scottish Government decided it can be used in a publicly funded ...

FOI unclear 50 score 6 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2021-04-01
Reference
FOI/202100168781
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications relating to drug deaths statistics: FOI release

All emails, letters, minutes of meetings, briefings, hand written notes, records of phone or other conversations and messages on encrypted phone apps between any permutation of the following people - The Public Health Minister, The Cabinet Secretary for health, the First Minister and the Chair of the Drugs death task f...

FOI unclear 75 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-31
Reference
FOI/202100157878
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Redeployment of Freedom of Information Unit staff due to COVID-19: FOI release

1. For each month commencing January 2020 to date, please provide the total number of FTE staff working in the FOI unit. 2. All correspondence discussing and enacting the decision to redeploy FOI Unit staff to Covid critical roles. The correspondence should be specifically between the following two groups (A) Ministers...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.17(1)
Published
2021-03-30
Reference
FOI/202100155415
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government marketing and advertising costs: FOI Review

Further to my letter of 23 February 2021, I have now completed my review of our response to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for how much has the Scottish Government spent on NHS Scotland press and TV advertising during the lockdown restrictions. I have concluded that the origin...

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2021-03-30
Reference
FOI/202100164144 review of 202100146226
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Short-term Lets legislation Stakeholder Working Group: FOI release

The following details about the Stakeholder Working Group set up to look at the Short-term Lets legislation: 1. Members of the group and which sector or area of business they represent on the group. 2. Dates on which they are meeting. 3. The person who is chair of the group. 4. A copy of the working group's written ins...

FOI unclear 50 score 9 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2021-03-29
Reference
FOI/202100163693
Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Low level music and background noise advisory group: FOI release

On October 27th 2020 the First Minister announced in the Scottish Parliament that the Scottish Government was setting up an expert advisory group on reintroducing safe low-level music and background noise. Please can you tell me if the group has now been set up and who the members are?

FOI unclear 50 score 79 working days over deadline correspondence ministers
Published
2021-03-29
Reference
FOI/202000111218
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Attendees of Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGoRR) March 2020: FOI release

1. For Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGoRR) meetings on Covid-19 before 1 March 2020, how many did the First Minister personally attend and how many did she not personally attend. 2. A previous FOI request published shows the Chief Constable of Police Scotland was invited to at least three SGoRR meetings on Covi...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.2 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-24
Reference
FOI/202100147104
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Repair and maintenance works carried out at First Minster's residence: FOI release

Can you please give details of the repair and maintenance works carried out at Bute house (official residence of the first minister) since the 2021 lockdown provisions were announced including but not limited to a detailed breakdown of any repairs and maintenance carried out, the areas of Bute house that have been subj...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending
Published
2021-03-24
Reference
FOI/202100143539
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Exchanges relating to the Chief Constable announcement of doubling patrols: FOI release

Could please send me all of the email - and all other communications - exchanges between the Chief Constable, his office, Police Scotland officers and/or staff and the office of the First Minister, the Justice Secretary and Scottish government civil servants and/or special advisers, in advance of the announcement by th...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-19
Reference
FOI/202100144714
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Accountability arrangement relating to particular public bodies: FOI release

1. Will you please advise me of which department is accountable for the financial control and performance of any nationalised industry, including Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited (FMEL)? How can I access any relevant information relating thereto? 2. To whom is Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL)accountable? Un...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.2
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202100141948
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector, Transport

Correspondence concerning First Minister meetings in August 2020: FOI release

1) For the month of August, a list of any meetings involving the First Minister not listed on the information published here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/ministerial-engagements-travel-andgifts-august-2020/ which was considered to include the discussion of government business. 2) For all of the meetings in Augus...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-12
Reference
FOI/202100134861
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister's diary: FOI release

'copies of the First Minister’s Forward Look document used by the First Minister’s Private Office and selected officials to map out and detail the First Minister’s diary. This is not to be confused with Ministerial diary entries or policy grids. This a specific request for copies of the First Minister’s Forward Look do...

FOI unclear 55 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-03-12
Reference
FOI/202100152808
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Responsibilities for specific Ministerial positions: FOI release

1. A copy of the responsibilities of each of the following ministerial positions as at 16th December 2019. The First Minister Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Minister for Public Health and Sport 2. If not included in the descriptions above, a copy of the responsibilities of whichever minister(s) or cabinet sec...

FOI unclear 80 score 1 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202100152438
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Response timeframe for email enquiries: FOI release

You asked "Does the Scottish Government have a target timeframe in which it aims to respond to email enquiries? Is information available on how well this target is met?"

FOI unclear 55 score 84 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1)
Published
2021-03-09
Reference
FOI/202000102772
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Information relating to autism post diagnostic pilot: FOI review

1. A breakdown of what organisation received what amount, with an explanation as to why that amount; 2. A minute(s) of the meeting which picked the said organisations; and 3. Any procurement/tendering of such applications for being in the pilot.

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence ministers meetings contracts s.17(1)
Published
2021-03-09
Reference
FOI/202000128999 Review of 202000122220
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

COVID-19 scientific evidence discussions concerning restrictions within hospitality sector: FOI release

Any records relating to the scientific, statistical, or medical evidence related to public health controls on the spread of Covid-19 and how these relate to the hospitality sector, such as pubs and restaurants, at any point between the date of this request [4 November 2020] and 1 March 2020. We would like to limit our ...

FOI unclear 80 score 79 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.3 s.4 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-09
Reference
FOI/202100146009
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Economy, Public sector

Appointment process for senior Civil Servants: FOI release

You asked: "Is it possible to find out the procedure to select the top civil servant in Scotland! Is he/she chosen by Westminster or is it under the complete gift of the Scottish Government?"

FOI unclear 50 score 9 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2021-03-08
Reference
FOI/202100143537
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector, Work and skills