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

Ministerial car journeys and the number of ministerial cars: FOI release

1. Details of all journeys undertaken in ministerial cars by Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater since they became ministers. 2. The date, distance travelled, where the journey began and ended and the reason for their use. 3. For the same time frame, the total number of ministerial car journeys undertaken by all minister...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.4 s.25(1) s.27(1) s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202200330114
Directorate
Corporate Operations Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Definitions according to the Scottish Ministerial Code: FOI release

Noting that: 'the ‘Scottish Ministerial Code’ states that Scottish Government resources can only be used by Scottish Ministers for official government business and must not be used for party political purposes,1.3 (i) Ministers must not use public resources for party political purposes'. A definition of the term ‘publ...

FOI not held 45 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.1 s.10 s.17(1) s.7
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202200332845
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information on money spent on Parliamentary Liaison Officers John Swinney MSP and Kate Forbes MSP: FOI release

You requested "information on the amount of money spent on Parliamentary Liaison Officers for John Swinney MSP and Kate Forbes MSP since 2018 to the present. Please provide per year spend per the number of Parliamentary Liaison Officers for each MSP."

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202200333055
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Which official body is empowered to investigate: FOI release

The Scottish Government’s procedures in the following circumstances: If a minister in the Scottish Government misleads the Scottish Parliament, and does not voluntarily make a correction, which person or official body is empowered to investigate whether parliament has been misled? Are they also empowered to investigat...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202300342786
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Angus Robertson's trip to Paris: FOI release

How long did Angus Robertson stay in Paris? How did Angus Robertson travel to Paris? In what class did he travel (i.e. first class or economy)? And how much did this travel cost? What accommodation did Angus Robertson stay in? How much did this cost? How much did Angus Robertson spend on food and drink on his trip in P...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.27(1)
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202200323434
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cabinets discussing closing the attainment gap: FOI release

Can you confirm when closing the attainment gap was last discussed in a Scottish Government Cabinet meeting by ministers? Can you confirm every cabinet meeting where closing the attainment gap was discussed in a Scottish Government Cabinet meeting by ministers since May 2021?

FOI unclear 50 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202300352402
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Gender Recognition Reform: FOI release

All recorded correspondence between the First Minister and other Scottish Government Ministers regarding the Gender Recognition Reform. (All correspondence refers to any correspondence in written or email form regarding the Gender Recognition Reform bill between October 20th 2022 until present day) All engagements in t...

FOI unclear 55 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.27(1)
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202200333559
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Public sector

SNP leadership event attendance: FOI release

The number, names and job titles of Scottish Government officials who were in attendance at the SNP’s event at Murrayfield announcing their leader on 27 March 2023. This should not include Scottish Ministers (although if the Lord Advocate and/or the Solicitor General attended, please state). Please provide the number o...

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202300349068
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Number of accounts blocked on twitter: FOI release

The number of accounts blocked by the official Scottish Government account (@scotgov) and the First Minister's account (@ScotGovFM) on Twitter. Please also provide me with a list of all blocked account names which are logged in the profile settings.

FOI unclear 50 score 15 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202200335379
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work & Energy’s delegation to Japan

You asked for: How many people travelled as part of Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work & Energy’s delegation to Japan, including their job titles (civil servant, minister, special advisor etc). How much did it cost for Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work & ...

FOI not held 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.38 s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202300355499
Directorate
Offshore Wind Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister and Scottish Government first heard the term COVID-19: FOI release

When did the first minister and Government first hear the term COVID-19? Which scientific advisors advised the First Minister? When the government was first aware of Covid-19?

FOI unclear 55 score 7 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202300346953
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Stonewall training: FOI release

How many Government Ministers have undertaken Stonewall training? How many civil servants have undertaken Stonewall training? How many Special Advisors or Ministerial staff have undertaken Stonewall training?

FOI not held 40 score 13 working days correspondence ministers special advisers
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202300342965
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister use of a chauffeur driven car: FOI release

Will outgoing First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will still have: The exclusive use, on request, of a chauffeur driven car. . Is this exclusive use by her alone, and not the incoming First Minister? If continued use, what is the explanation for her to have its use. How long does the Scottish government expect this to be t...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2023-11-07
Reference
202300348824
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Education Exchange Programme: FOI release

Can you confirm when the development of the Scottish education exchange programme was last discussed in a Scottish Government Cabinet meeting by ministers? Can you confirm every cabinet meeting where violence in schools was discussed in a Scottish Government Cabinet meeting by ministers since the May 2021?

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300358943
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Government support for the former First Minister after they leave office: FOI release

What government support does the former First Minister receive after they leave office? Full list of these, including cost and whether Nicola Sturgeon accepted it. Do they have access to any sort of car service after they leave office? If so, what service is this and how much does it cost? All correspondence received a...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.12
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300360163
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meetings discussing Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

You asked for “Any minutes from meetings involving Scottish Government ministers (Patrick Harvie MSP and Lorna Slater MSP) that discuss the Deposit Return Scheme, due to come into effect on August 2023, between August 2022 to December 2022”.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(5)
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300337696
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

GP funding correspondence: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the BMA Scotland/BMA Scottish general practitioners committee and/or Scottish Government ministers and/or special advisers regarding Global sum payments. Information should include but not be...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300360649
Directorate
Primary Care Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Appropriate level for local authorities to set penalty charge notices (“PCN”): FOI release

Regarding the conclusion reached that PCN levels needed to be raised in Scotland. Regarding the evidence supporting that decision. Detailing what methodology TS used in weighting the different consultation responses, for example a Local Authority as against individual respondents. Relevant to, all and any advice receiv...

FOI unclear 50 score 14 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300362203
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with Scottish Ministers relating to Project Chestnut: FOI release

Any reports or briefings issued or submitted to ministers that would fall within 'Project Chestnut'.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.25(1) 6 attachments
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
FOI/202300363664
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Preparation of First Minister resignation: FOI release

How much has it cost the Scottish Government to move Nicola Sturgeon and her belongings out of Bute House in anticipation of the new First Minister moving in? Breakdown of these costs. Supply Nicola Sturgeon's diary of events in March up until she leaves her role as First Minister. Any correspondence (including emails,...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending whatsapp s.12
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300346137
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Costings of events hosted at Bute House

You asked for: 1. A total, and breakdown on all costings related to entertainment hosted at Bute House over the past three years. This may include many events such as (but not limited to) engagements, receptions, drinks/lunches/dinners with guests/visitors, etc., broken down by year if possible. 2. A total on all spe...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.20
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300355692
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information around the 25% statement: EIR release

Responding to questions about the use of the discredited statistic that Scotland has 25% of Europe’s offshore wind potential, multiple Scottish Government ministers and FOI responses have described that statistic as “outdated”. A detailed report published by These Islands on 9th November 2022 demonstrated that the 25% ...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300350262
Directorate
Offshore Wind Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Gender recognition bill: FOI release

Which firm is being instructed to represent the Scottish government in the judicial review petition? Is it the Scottish government legal directorate or an external law firm? Which counsel have been instructed to represent the government in the judicial review petition? Please supply names and advocate stables. Please p...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.36(1) s.35 s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300351736
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Public sector