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

Correspondence between the First Minister and the Prime Minister of New Zealand: FOI release

"I want to know how many times Nicola Sturgeon has contacted Jacinda Ardern PM of New Zealand by email and telephone in the past 6 months".

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2020-11-09
Reference
FOI/202000091242
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, International, Public sector

Debt Advice funding questions: FOI release

You asked for the following information: i. “[…] how much [funding] Advice UK have been given or the Scottish Government have committed to giving the[m] [from the £2.4 million in additional debt advice funding announced 29th August 2020]; ii. “[…] the terms on which [this funding] has been given”; and iii. “[…] for ...

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending
Published
2020-11-06
Reference
FOI/202000088222
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Social Security Scotland offices and costs: FOI release

You asked: “Who is Social Security Scotland currently renting office space from whilst negotiations on a permanent office solution are ongoing?” and “How much has been spent on office accommodation for Social Security Scotland, broken down by month, whilst negotiations on a permanent office solution are ongoing?”

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2020-11-06
Reference
FOI/202000087081
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government Special Adviser WhatsApp group titles: FOI release

1. The titles of WhatsApp groups that Scottish Government Special Advisors are in.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp
Published
2020-11-06
Reference
FOI/202000087805
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister communication with Scottish National Party (SNP) regarding Former First Minister complaints: FOI release

Any communications (including letters, emails, text messages, typed or hand-written notes, phone calls) between the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP and the Scottish National Party regarding allegations of misconduct against the former First Minister, Alex Salmond. I would like this information for 01 August 2018 to...

FOI unclear 55 score 5 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.17(1)
Published
2020-11-03
Reference
FOI/202000096056
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications from First Minister to Scottish National Party (SNP) relating to Former First Minister complaints: FOI release

Any communications (including letters, emails, typed or hand-written notes, text messages or otherwise) from the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, to the Scottish National Party regarding the actions of the Scottish Government is dealing with complaints about Alex Salmond, former First Minister, considered under the...

FOI unclear 55 score 5 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.17(1)
Published
2020-11-03
Reference
FOI/202000096045
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Forced adoption inquiry requests received by the Scottish Government: FOI release

Information regarding "forced adoptions", i.e. adoptions which took place in the 20th century prior to the 1978 Adoption (Scotland) Act. 1. How many requests or representations has the Scottish government received from individuals or organizations for an inquiry into forced adoptions (as described above) in the last 1...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2020-10-29
Reference
FOI/202000084348
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

The First Minister's office and Special advisers of the Scottish Government: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles not names of individuals) for the First Minister's Office, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government.

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers
Published
2020-10-29
Reference
FOI/202000082245
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FACTS Public Health Campaign: FOI release

What options were being considered by ministers and clinical advisers for Scotland’s public health campaign, which ended up being FACTS. I would appreciate knowing what acronyms, messaging or other were being considered.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers contracts
Published
2020-10-28
Reference
FOI/202000094026
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Report of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery: FOI release

A copy of all communications between Mr Benny Higgins and Scottish Government ministers and officials regarding the drafting, revision and publication of 'Towards a Robust, Resilient Wellbeing Economy for Scotland: Report of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery'. The relevant correspondence which relates specificall...

FOI unclear 80 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 10 attachments
Published
2020-10-28
Reference
FOI/202000055037
Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Money and tax, Public sector

Questions concerning COVID-19 diagnosis and recording: FOI release

1) Could the Scottish Government provide a breakdown of deaths counted as Covid-19 in terms of the particular ICD classification/coding i.e U07.1 and U07.2. If data could be provided since the inclusion of U07.2 to the ICD coding (March 2020), that would be appreciated. 2) Could the Scottish Government provide details...

FOI unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2020-10-23
Reference
FOI/202000094152
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, 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

Visits carried out by the First Minister in 2014: FOI release

In relation to the information relating to the visits carried out by the First Minister in 2014, can these be broken down as to whether these visits were carried out by the former First Minister or the current First Minister when she took office on 14 November 2014? Can this be broken down for each of the Scottish parl...

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-21
Reference
FOI/202000077290
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Glasgow City Council homelessness services correspondence: FOI release

i) Further to the Housing Minister's response to Parliamentary Question S5W-27567, from Johann Lamont MSP, I would like to be provided with the 'comprehensive progress update' on Glasgow City Council's homelessness services which Mr Stewart requested from Councillor Mhairi Hunter in an email on January 15 2020; ii) Th...

FOI unclear 75 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-19
Reference
FOI/202000075015
Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Housing, 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

Questions related to the Scottish Government moratorium on the development of hydraulic fracturing: FOI release

"I note that the Scottish Government have passed a moratorium on the development of hydraulic fracturing, unconventional oil and gas, and coal gas. I wanted to ask further questions related to these developments, or at least a clarification of policy regarding this industry. The questions I would like to have answered...

FOI unclear 55 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.8A s.1(1)
Published
2020-10-14
Reference
FOI/202000080832
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Meeting between the First Minister and Mr Geoff Aberdein: FOI release

(1) In the light of the apparent admission to Sky News, does the Scottish Government wish to reconsider its reply of 3 August to the question of whether the First Minister met with Geoff Aberdein on 29 March 2018? Did she in fact do so? (2) If so, who else, if anyone, was present at this meeting? (3) If not, is Sky New...

FOI unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1)
Published
2020-10-13
Reference
FOI/202000090531
Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Harassment complaints: FOI release

-All correspondence between the Scottish Government and the SNP regarding concerns/complaints made about Alex Salmond. This should date back to 2017 when ‘concerns’ were first raised about the former first minister, to the present day. This should include all emails, documents, minutes of meetings/phone calls, text and...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.17(1)
Published
2020-10-05
Reference
FOI/202000085367
Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

COVID-19 related deaths reporting frequency change by NRS (National Records Scotland): FOI release

"On what date did a minister of The Scottish Government instruct the National Records of Scotland (NRS) to move from weekly reporting of deaths involving Covid-19 to the monthly reporting of these death statistics?"

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2020-10-05
Reference
FOI/202000088898
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

First Minister daily media briefings' associated costs: FOI release

Any costs associated with the First Minister's daily media briefings.

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending
Published
2020-10-01
Reference
FOI/202000087097
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Devolved Government COVID-19 strategy: FOI release

1. Could the Scottish Government have adopted a different strategy to that of the UK government for the initial management of the COVID-19 pandemic? 2. Would the existing devolved powers of the Scottish Government enable it to have adopted a different strategy had it so wished? 3. Was the Scottish Government obliged to...

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings
Published
2020-09-28
Reference
FOI/202000069523
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

British Touring Car Championship event at Knockhill race circuit: FOI release

1. is Knockhill the largest site that applied as a test for spectators? 2. what were the key criteria that contributed to allocating 200 spectators to a site in excess of 200 acres? 3. what were the factors in the risk analysis that suggested 200 would be the maximum for an outdoor event? 4. what weighting was applied ...

FOI unclear 55 score 6 working days correspondence ministers s.2
Published
2020-09-28
Reference
FOI/202000078728
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Irish reunification correspondence: FOI release

Any documentation (including correspondence) you hold relating to a potential future referendum In Northern Ireland. I am particularly interested in lines to take, perceived risks, impacts, draft responses and contingencies in the event of a vote in favour of reunification.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings 2 attachments
Published
2020-09-24
Reference
FOI/202000069569
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Constituency visits made by First Minister: FOI release

Following the Parliamentary question S5W-24511 by Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP, and subsequently answered by Graeme Dey MSP on 26 August 2019, I wish to have a breakdown of the official visits by the First Minister between January 1 2012 and March 1 2020. Can this be broken down by numbers in terms of Parliamentary const...

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2020-09-14
Reference
FOI/202000065741
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) staff working from home: FOI release

1. For the period of lockdown (between March 23rd – 4th July), please answer the following questions regarding the staff in (XXXX government department) – if a question isn’t possible to answer in the time allowed, please let us know: a. a. What is the total number of civil servants (excluding third party contractors s...

FOI unclear 55 score 12 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.5
Published
2020-09-10
Reference
FOI/202000069068
Directorate
Topic
Public sector