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
7,795 matching releases

First Minister's trip to United States: FOI release

1. Full itinerary for Humza Yousaf's trip to America, including minutes/notes from all meetings and speeches he gave while there. 2. How many civil servants/advisers accompanied him on the trip, and their job titles? 3. Full cost of this trip to America, including a breakdown of these costs, like accommodation and tr...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.4
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
FOI/202300378694
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Bus Taskforce: FOI release

1. What was the date of formation of the Bus Taskforce? 2. Who is a member of this group? 3. What is the cost to the Scottish Government of operating this group from the date of formation to 4/10/23? 4. Are any members of this group renumerated, if so what for?

FOI released 70 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
FOI/202300379458
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Correspondence relating to the resignation of the Transport Minister: FOI release

Any correspondence, briefing notes, internal memos and communications relating to the resignation of Kevin Stewart as Transport Minister.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202300360784
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Lorna Slater IMA exemption correspondence 2022: EIR release

Under Freedom of Information legislation I would be grateful for a copy of all correspondence received by the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity from her officials on the process and application for an Internal Market Act exemption between January 2022 and December 2022. As the information yo...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202300358575
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees office: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles, not names of individuals) for the Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees 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. The ...

FOI unclear 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202300358413
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Stephen Ingledew and their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper: FOI release

Any correspondence, meeting minutes, briefings or notes, between the Scottish Government and Stephen Ingledew, relating to their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper, as referenced in the FOI response reference 202200325598.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200331385
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

£20m independence fund: FOI release

What is the Scottish Government now doing with its £20m independence fund due to the Supreme Court ruling? If they are using it for independence how are you justifying it considering the Supreme Court ruled the government cannot legally legislate for a referendum? Any correspondence (including emails, WhatsApps) betwee...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200331939
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence on transgender guidance in schools: FOI release

Any correspondence (letters, emails, notes, minutes of meetings or otherwise) between the Scottish Government and senior civil servants, special advisers, or the First Minister on the topic of transgender guidance in schools between January 2021 and the present day.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 77 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200333588
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to issues of child protection and the General Teaching Council: FOI release

All correspondence, meeting minutes, phone call notes or records or any other form of communication either to or from members of the Cabinet relating to issues of child protection and the General Teaching Council for Scotland between 1 January 2021 and present.

FOI released 100 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
202200294862
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice on independence referendum: FOI release

The amount spent on legal advice regarding the Scottish Government’s prospectus for an independent Scotland between 07 September 2021 and the date of response to this inquiry? Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, brief...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
202200287065
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meetings and minutes with Crofting Commission: EIR release

1. The number of times that crofting was discussed at Cabinet between 29 March 2023 to date. 2. The number of times that Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Island had with the Crofting Commission since 29 March 2023. 3. In addition, the minutes of Mairi Gougeon’s meeting with the Crof...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
FOI/202300377245
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, Public sector

Property Factor removal statistics: FOI release

1. How many property factors have been struck off by Scottish Ministers since the Property Factors Act came into effect? 2. How many PFEOs have been issued in the last five years? 3. How many PFEOs have not been complied with in the last five years? 4. How many factors have faced prosecution over failure to comply w...

FOI not held 45 score 15 working days correspondence ministers s.4(7) s.8(1)
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
FOI/202300378489
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

External legal firms: FOI release

Can I ask how much the Scottish Government has spent on external legal firms to advise and handle FoI inquiries for each year from 2012 to 2022 an so far in 2023. Can you in your answer articulate for each year which legal firms have benefitted and how much each legal firm has received. Can you explain what work the ex...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.12
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
FOI/202300377404
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Offshore wind pricing: EIR release

On 27th September 2023, the Minister for Energy and the Environment, Gillian Martin, said this in the Scottish Parliament: “That is in comparison with electricity generated from offshore wind, which we have in abundance in Scotland and on which we are planning to do an awful lot more. Such electricity is currently pri...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
FOI/202300378548
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Citizenship independence prospectus: FOI release

1 Could you supply all research undertaken by the Scottish Government so far this year on the following issues with independence. The fiscal plan How will state pensions be paid for? What will an independent Scotland have to do to gain EU membership? How will the border between Scotland and England work if Scotland re...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
FOI/202300377833
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

ScotRail Peak Fare Removal pilot: FOI release

Please see below responses to the questions you have raised in your email: Where did the idea initially come from? Who was the main group intended to benefit from such change? If the trial is successful would there permanently be no peak fares? If so what would happen with rail cards that require a minimum fee? Why wa...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.5 s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
FOI/202300378133
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Correspondence on new nuclear reactors: FOI release

How many occasions in each of the last five financial years including 2022-23 so far that the topic of new nuclear reactors in Scotland have been discussed at meetings of the Cabinet. All correspondence on the matter both internally and externally since May 2021. Specifically, for correspondence that Patrick Harvie and...

FOI/EIR withheld 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.6(1) 6 attachments
Published
2023-11-24
Reference
202200330308
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence on 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper: FOI release

Any correspondence, meeting minutes, briefings or notes, between the Scottish Government and Professor John Batchler of Strathclyde University relating to their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper, as referenced in the FOI response reference 20220032...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-24
Reference
202200331369
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Highlands and Islands Enterprise scrutiny and events: FOI release

How are HIE's various activities scrutinised, and the results made available to the voter/general public? Regarding the Agency's 'engagement events', for example the one recently held covering HIE Shetland. Is there a formal requirement for HIE to hold such events, and if so to what schedule? Is there a formal code o...

FOI not held 45 score 9 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-24
Reference
202300338294
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

CMAL / Ferguson Marine queries: FOI release

Please confirm the total funding that has been spent by the Scottish Government so far on the following: Payments made to FMEL for construction of vessels 801 and 802 prior to the nationalisation of Ferguson Shipyard. Scottish Government Loans provided to FMEL prior to nationalisation of Ferguson Shipyard. The total c...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-24
Reference
202200291846
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Documents shredded/destroyed by the Scottish Government: FOI release

How many documents were shredded or otherwise destroyed by the Scottish Government in the last two complete financial years, and so far this financial year? How many of them were shredded or destroyed by the First Minister’s office? If it is impossible to give a precise number, can you tell me please the approximate vo...

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
202300344572
Directorate
Corporate Operations Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding Reidvale Housing Association: FOI release

Any correspondence from 2022, from 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2022, between the Housing Minister(s) and the Scottish Housing Regulator that mentions or makes reference to Reidvale Housing Association.

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
FOI/202300377096
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Payments made to the Earl of Stair for storage of commercial vehicles: EIR release

According to the Register of Interests for the Earl of Stair the government has made arrangements to lease: "Approximately three hectares of land in Dumfries and Galloway provided to HM Government for temporary storage of commercial vehicles should need arise following change of UK status on 1 January 2021; one year c...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
202200290950
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Ministers and the Press office regarding the Scottish Green Conference or party in general: FOI release

Internal correspondence between the press office and from the press office to Scottish Ministers and special advisers in March 2022 on the Scottish Green conference or the Scottish Greens generally.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38 s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
202200291466
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Nicola Sturgeon’s visit to Dr Bell’s Family Centre: FOI release

The Scottish Government is included as one of the ‘Funders’ of ‘Dr Bell’s Family Centre’ in Leith (details included on their website). Please provide information of all funding and grants that have been awarded to ‘Dr Bell’s Family Centre’ during the period April 2015 until April 2023. On September 5th 2022 First Minis...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
202300348494
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector