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

University fees EU students: FOI release

1. How many EU students are studying at our universities? 2. How will the £400 million be spent? 3. How many Scottish students are allowed places at Scottish universities given the recent publicity regarding a cap on the number of Scottish students that can get places at our universities.

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2
Published
2020-03-20
Reference
FOI/202000017313
Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Levels of compensation paid from miscarriages of justice: FOI release

What information Ministers use in determining the level of compensation paid to those subjected to a miscarriage of justice by our legal system and what information is use altogether in deciding merits?

FOI unclear 80 score 11 working days correspondence ministers spending s.13 2 attachments
Published
2020-03-20
Reference
FOI/202000018837
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Former Finance Secretary Resignation: FOI release

The times of discussions between Derek Mackay and Nicola Sturgeon or her advisers (making clear which: Ms Sturgeon or advisers) on February 5 or 6 2020, and please provide the time Mr Mackay resigned (verbally or in writing, and please state which).

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts
Published
2020-03-19
Reference
FOI/202000016710
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Housing for the Elderly Disabled: FOI release

How many bungalows were allocated to the elderly disabled for the following years 2018 & 2019? And how many flats were allocated? Please itemise for each year. What number of these were new builds? And how many were old stock? How many of these were purposely built with disabled people in mind i.e.; adapted specificall...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.12
Published
2020-03-13
Reference
FOI/202000016447
Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Housing, Public sector

Water Bailiff appointments and warrants issued: FOI release

You asked for: i. - How many warrants have been issued to people to be empowered as Water Bailiffs appointment by Scottish Ministers between 2018-2019? ii. - What arrangements are in place such as for Special Constables if the Water Bailiff is injured or worse during the course of his duty? iii. - Please supply the ...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2020-03-11
Reference
FOI/202000016049
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Bute House gas, electricity and residential information: FOI release

You asked for: Gas bill from December 2018 until December 2019 for Bute House. Electric bill for Bute House from December 2018 until December 2019. Number of permanent residents at Bute House from December 2018 until December 2019.

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending
Published
2020-02-12
Reference
FOI/202000012634
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

Planning decisions involving Springfield Properties where Scottish Government ministers intervened: FOI release

Please provide a list of every planning decision involving Springfield Properties where Scottish Government ministers intervened and overturned the original decision.

FOI unclear 75 score 8 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2020-02-10
Reference
FOI/202000013643
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

'Scotland's right to choose: putting Scotland's future in Scotland's hands' related costs: FOI release

All costs associated with the Scottish Government's document 'Scotland's Right to Choose: Putting Scotland's Future in Scotland's Hands'. If possible please break this down into costs on staffing (or staffing hours spent on this), internal costs, external costs such as printing etc. The number of Scottish Government st...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1)
Published
2020-02-10
Reference
FOI/202000011414
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland (GERS) in relation to oil & gas revenue: FOI release

You asked for: 1. Who appoints the Scottish Government statisticians that produce the GERS figures? Are they chosen by the Scottish Parliament, or by the UK Parliament? 2. Is the Scottish First Minister given full access to the UK's oil and gas revenue accounts, or are you told Scotland's oil and gas revenue figures ...

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2020-01-24
Reference
FOI/20/00010
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Economy, Energy, 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

Modelling of the Sustainable Growth Commission: FOI review

The modelling of Scottish spending that First Minister claimed had been completed by the Scottish Government..

FOI unclear 55 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.38(1)
Published
2020-01-22
Reference
FOI/201900010312
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) investment in fossil fuel companies: FOI release

I was wondering if the sppa invests in fossil fuel companies e.g. oil, coal etc? If so, have there been any discussions or plans to divest from such companies? In light of the climate emergency we are facing, which is also a health emergency, it would be counterintuitive for the NHS to be investing in such industries w...

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2020-01-22
Reference
FOI/202000011960
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

United Nations 25th Conference of the Parties (COP 25): FOI release

Please tell me the mode of transport used by Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham to travel to the Under2 Coalition climate change summit in December 2019

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers
Published
2020-01-07
Reference
FOI/201900009136
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Sustainable Growth Commission and the Scottish budget: FOI release

You asked for: On 25 November 2019 the First Minister was interviewed by Andrew Neil on the BBC. In one exchange on the implications of using the Sustainable Growth Commission recommendations to the past 10 years of Scottish spending the First Minister stated that: "I've had that modelling done by the Scottish Govern...

FOI unclear 80 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-12-30
Reference
FOI/201900007811
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Money and tax, Public sector, +1 more … Scottish Budget

An independent Scotland entering the EU: FOI release

You asked: “In a recent interview with Andrew Neil the First Minister stated that she had had talks previously that meant she thought "that we could re-enter the EU relatively quickly". Could you provide any details of these talks and the advice given that would indicate this”

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2019-12-30
Reference
FOI/201900007967
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Citizens' Assembly for Scotland (CAfS) - information and setup: FOI release

You asked: I am interested in the Citizens' Assembly for Scotland (CAfS). Its website does not clearly set out its legal form. I have also been unable to locate it in the National Public Bodies Directory (https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-public-bodies- directory/pages/introduction/). Can you clarify - what...

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers contracts
Published
2019-12-30
Reference
FOI/201900009076
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Beatrice Wishart MSP meetings and meeting requests: FOI release

The dates of all meetings that have taken place and a list of all meeting requests between Beatrice Wishart MSP and Scottish Government ministers and cabinet secretaries?

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2019-12-20
Reference
FOI/201900008040
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Breakdown of costs in Named Person judical review and case of former First Minister: FOI release

You asked us to provide a breakdown of costs incurred in applying and/or defending the judicial reviews in the case of: The Named Person judicial review in the court of session to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in 2014-2016. Defending the case of Alex Salmond V Scottish Government judicial review earlier in 2...

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending
Published
2019-12-18
Reference
FOI/19/02547
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Scottish Infected Blood Support Scheme (SIBSS) ex-gratia payments and budget: FOI release

You asked: "Are the ex-gratia payments received through the SIBSS (Scottish Infected Blood Support Scheme) protected legally for life? What is the current annual budget for SIBSS? In the last financial budget, how much reserves were carried over into the next year?"

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers spending s.28
Published
2019-12-16
Reference
FOI/201900007767
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Named Person Scheme costs and status: FOI release

You asked, "Please provide details of the costs incurred by the Scottish Government for the readiness of the Named Person Scheme in Scotland. My understanding is the policy has now been abandoned for the time being but I am interested in the costs thusfar."

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2019-12-03
Reference
FOI/201900006750
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

First Minister media appearances: FOI release

You asked for The total sums of media appearance fees paid to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for media appearances (i.e. television and radio) since she took up her office in 2014. Please brake down by years.

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2019-12-02
Reference
FOI/201900006007
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Orders under Section 30(2) of the Scotland Act 1998: FOI release

You asked how many times an Order under the procedure established in Section 30(2) of the Scotland Act 1998 has been used, and asked for information on the date orders were requested, requested by whom (Holyrood or Westminster), the date agreed or rejected, and subject matter of request.

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30(2) s.30
Published
2019-12-02
Reference
FOI/201900005928
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meetings in relation to infected blood financial support: FOI release

You asked: 1. "Since 17th May 2019, How many meetings have involved the engagement of the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury or the current parliament under-secretary for the department of health in relation to addressing financial parity in the infected blood support schemes? 2. When did these meetings take place? 3. What...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2019-11-21
Reference
FOI/19/02400
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Money and tax, Public safety and emergencies, +1 more … Public sector

Review of the governance of higher education in Scotland: FOI release

You asked for answers to the following: 1. What was the result of that consultation regarding the election of chairs of universities – in essence who supported or opposed mandatory elections, and why? 2. Did the Government also consult on the method of election of the chairs? If so, what was the result of that consulta...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.33 s.1 s.3
Published
2019-11-21
Reference
FOI/201900005478
Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector