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

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

Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Act 2021 correspondence: FOI release

Correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) between the UK Government and the Scottish Government regarding the Covert Human Intelligence Sources Bill. Please limit between 1 April 2020 and the present dat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.28 s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-24
Reference
FOI/202000111668
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Scottish Public Pensions Agency workplace arrangement during 2020: FOI release

1. For the period of lockdown (between March 23rd 2020 – January 2021 ), 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: 1.a What is the total number of civil servants (excluding third party contr...

FOI not held 45 score 14 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.5
Published
2021-03-23
Reference
FOI/202100153125
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence with Equality Network regarding ILGA Europe Rainbow Map: FOI release

All the correspondence your officials have had with the Equality Network regarding ILGA Europe's Rainbow Map and Index since 2018.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-22
Reference
FOI/202100150744
Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Correspondence relating to 50,000 affordable homes target: FOI release

From 1 October 2020 to present: Copies of briefings prepared by civil servants regarding the 50,000 affordable homes target.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) 10 attachments
Published
2021-03-22
Reference
FOI/202000118539
Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill: FOI release

"Regarding the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill may you provide me with: Any correspondence or discussions the Scottish Government has had with UK ministers regarding this."

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.28 s.29(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-22
Reference
FOI/202000109684
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Programme for Government, Public sector

COVID-19: Closure of places of worship: FOI release

1) I would be extremely grateful if you could email me a full copy of the Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment - as well as a full copy of all the evidence underpinning the same Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment - specifically pertaining to worshippers and Places of Worship that the Scottish Minister(s...

FOI not held 70 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.2 s.20 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-22
Reference
FOI/202100133792
Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Equality and rights, +2 more … Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Culchunaig Farmhouse planning application: EIR release

Information regarding planning application 18/04194/FUL - Culchunaig Farmhouse, Westhill Inverness, you also asked specific questions regarding the handling of the same case. 1. Please inform me of the name of the signatory of the decision letter of 17 November in relation to the above aqpplication and an organogram sh...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.2 s.6 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-22
Reference
FOI/202000114543
Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Environment and climate change, 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

Communication relating to funding for outdoor education centres: FOI release

Any communications (including letters, emails, text or Whatsapp messages or phone calls) between civil servants and Ministers on the subject of funding for outdoor education centres. I would like this information from 20 August 2020 to 23 October 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38 s.33 s.29 s.38(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/202000113897
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Money and tax, Public sector

James Hamilton QC independent investigation: FOI release

1 - An Independent Investigation currently being led by James Hamilton QC is investigating possible breaches of the ministerial code by the First Minister. If he concludes that the FM did not knowingly mislead parliament as well as did not break other parts of the MC then I presume that the First Minister would not res...

FOI released 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.1 s.25(1)
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/20210016129
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information relating to Higher and Advance Higher exams 2021: FOI release

The Scottish Government has previously announced that National 5 exam diets would be cancelled but that Higher and Advanced Higher diets would go ahead. Education secretary John Swinney has since stated that alternate approaches have been developed and that a decision could be made as late as February to switch to thes...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202000114519
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Briefings in reference to disability unemployment rates: FOI release

Copies of any civil servant briefings prepared on disability unemployment rates, or that reference disability unemployment rates.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202100140775
Directorate
Topic
Economy, Equality and rights, Public sector, +1 more … Work and skills

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

Former Finance Secretary’s representation to the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee: FOI release

Please provide all information held, including legal opinion, about finance secretary Derek Mackay's representation to the Scottish Government's finance committee in November, last year where he talked about a "proposed contingent liability" which was passed by MSPs. This should include, but is not limited to (A) all ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.33(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-17
Reference
FOI/202000106220
Directorate
Topic
Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

All written evidence to James Hamilton QC's investigation: FOI release

- All written evidence to James Hamilton's QC investigation into the FM under the ministerial code. This includes evidence from the FM, her chief of staff Liz Lloyd and any other individuals within the Scottish Government who have submitted evidence.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100161098
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister interview with James Hamilton QC: FOI release

In a recent FOI response, with the reference number: 202100150391 an annex was attached which contained an email from the First Minister’s office that stated the afternoon of 1 February 2021 would be held for a video interview between the First Minister and James Hamilton regarding the Ministerial Code investigation. P...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100159382
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence received by Housing Minister relating to affordable housing: FOI release

Copies of all correspondence (emails, letters, memos, hand-written notes, briefings and/or otherwise) from or received by Housing Minister Kevin Stewart that refer to Audit Scotland’s ‘Affordable housing: The Scottish Government’s affordable housing supply target’ publication.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) 10 attachments
Published
2021-03-15
Reference
FOI/202000108023
Directorate
Topic
Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Supplementary Guidance on Planning Obligations sent by Fife Council: EIR release

Copies of the documents referred to in FOI202000108713 which were sent to the Scottish Government by Fife Council on 20 February 2018. You also requested copies of any correspondence between the Council and Scottish Ministers on the topic of the Supplementary Guidance between submission in December 2017 and the issue o...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(5) 8 attachments
Published
2021-03-15
Reference
FOI/202000115038
Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Public sector

Junior Doctors' 48 hour Expert Working Group report: FOI review

The information sought is the Report to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport by the Junior Doctors' 48-hour Expert Working Group, chaired by Professor Philip Cachia at the request of the Cabinet Secretary, Ms Jeane Freeman. The Report is believed to have been submitted to the Cabinet Secretary on 3rd January 2020...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-15
Reference
FOI/202100136631 Review of 202000101577
Directorate
Health Workforce Directorate
Topic
Public sector

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

Stornoway Wind Farm extension of time for implementation: EIR release

In relation to the extension of time for implementation of the Stornoway Wind Farm granted in May 2020. Please would you be able to direct me to the link for the application on the ECU website or send me: The full consultee comments associated with the extension of time for implementation request dated 17th February 2...

FOI/EIR released 100 score 0 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.36 s.36C 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-12
Reference
FOI/202000122017
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Correspondence to First Minister on support for businesses: FOI release

Copies of any emails, letters or other forms of correspondence received by Nicola Sturgeon from Scottish National Party MSPs in the past three months on the topic of support for businesses and the economy.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-12
Reference
FOI/202000103860
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, 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