Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,863releases indexed
39,476attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,112partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-05-20newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,112 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

2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263 2025-10 217

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
1,032 matching releases

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

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

Legal advice and correspondence relating to operation branchform: FOI release

1. The cost of any legal advice - either from the Scottish Government's legal directorate or from external advisers/counsel - in regards to Operation Branchform. 2. Any internal correspondence among senior civil servants, special advisers, and ministers (including any attachments or referenced briefings) on the topic o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.35(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300368382
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Historic injustice apology: FOI release

You asked for information relation to three apologies for historic injustice by the Scottish Government, namely those relating to historical adoption practices, criminalisation of same-sex male relations and persecution of women accused of witchcraft. The information you sought about each apology is: 1. All outputs of ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.18(1) s.28 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300368384
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Communications relating to Engagement of developing anti-racist infrastructure / Anti-Racism Interim Governance Group: FOI release

The following information: 1) FROM January 2021 and TILL June 2023, how many times did the then Minister for Equalities and Older People Christina McKelvie MSP meet BEMIS, CEMVO or CRER as strategic partners to the Scottish Government; what dates, who attended and for what purpose. 2) FROM November 2020 TILL June 202...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.29(1) s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300367874
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

The New School Butterstone closure: FOI release

You asked for the amount of money spent by the Scottish Government on external legal advice in the independent review into the closure of The New School, Butterstone, and the legal firms involved.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
202300340536
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Education Scotland's total spend on external consultants over the last 5 years: FOI release

I am interested in Education Scotland's total spend on external consultants over the last five years. For each of the last five years, please advise: The total amount spent by Education Scotland on external advisors / advisory services. A breakdown of this spending for each year, showing the name of each consultant/c...

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence spending
Published
2023-11-01
Reference
FOI/202300376352
Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Infected Blood Compensation or the Infected Blood Inquiry: FoI review

“…copies of all correspondence relating to Infected Blood Compensation or the Infected Blood Inquiry second interim report sent to or received by the below persons (including any attachments) during the period 1st April 2023 - 6th June 2023. 1) John-Paul Marks (Permanent Secretary) 2) David Rogers (Director of Constitu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38 s.29(1) s.30 s.28(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-01
Reference
FOI/202300367507 review of 202300360427
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Statements to Parliament by Cabinet Secretary for Education, Shirley-Ann Sommerville 02/02/23: FOI release

1a) was the Cabinet Secretary fully aware of the publicly stated breach of the ACAS code by the Chair of SLC (Paul Hutchinson) on the 23rd January prior to her response in parliament on the 2nd February? b) is the Cabinet Secretary still ‘content’ that due process has been followed by the SLC Board in relation to the ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 10 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.3 s.12 s.4 s.1 s.30
Published
2023-10-31
Reference
202300349269
Directorate
Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Hunting with Dogs Consultation (November 2021): EIR release

Full responses from each of the 48 organisations on the "Hunting with Dogs" consultation that ended in November 2021. You specifically requested to see responses received for each question and any invited comment, specifically: All responses to closed questions from organisations Invited responses for Q5 Invited respo...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.10(5) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-31
Reference
202300345554
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

ERDM folder dedicated to FOI 202100233415: FOI Release

You asked for “1) The contents of the one ERDM folder dedicated to FOI 202100233415 which includes 53 items detailed in the response to FOI 202300363650.”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.47(1) s.49(3) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-30
Reference
FOI/202300368165
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

COVID-19 face coverings in schools guidance: FOI release

1. Which man/woman or men/women wrote this guidance? (It is not signed by anyone as far as I can tell. 2. Which man/woman or men/women within the SG proclaim(s) to have the authority to impose masks (etc) on other people's children against their wishes (ie, without their freely-given consent)? (Or is the guidance all ...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2023-10-25
Reference
202200326281
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Consideration of alternatives to judicial review of section 35 Order: FOI release

Further to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice's statement to Channel 4 News on 12 April that "the Scottish Government has given due consideration to the other alternatives [to bringing legal action on the current Section 35 Order], to ensure that we didn't get into a place of having a judicial review" (see here: ...

FOI already published 80 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.35 s.36(1) s.25(1) s.27(1) s.3(2) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-24
Reference
202300351714
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government from Lorna Slater: EIR release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to the following meetings: Lorna Slater's meeting with Christine C...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 80 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(5) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-23
Reference
202300338451
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding the ban on alcohol on trains from 1 January, 2022 to date: FOI release

Any correspondence including memos, minutes, agendas, attachments to emails, between ScotRail and the Scottish Government on the topic of the ban on alcohol on trains from January 1, 2022 to date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 221 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.29(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-20
Reference
202200313459
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence on the alcohol ban on ScotRail trains: FOI release

Please send me correspondence with the Scotrail on the alcohol ban on ScotRail trains. Please also send me the number antisocial behaviour incidents recorded each month since January 2018.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 221 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.29(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-20
Reference
202200313595
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Formal process for excluding the deposit return scheme regulations from the Internal Market Act: EIR release

The date on which the “formal process for excluding the deposit return scheme regulations from the Internal Market Act” was initiated. All internal Scottish Government correspondence/briefings relating to the “formal process for excluding the deposit return scheme regulations from the Internal Market Act". Any legal ad...

FOI/EIR withheld 80 score 87 working days over deadline correspondence briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-19
Reference
202300342961
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government departments involved in creating the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme policy: EIR release

“Which Scottish Government departments have been involved in the creation of the policy for the Scottish Deposit Return Scheme What are the total legal costs associated with the DRS, accumulated since 2018? Please provide any background notes, email exchanges, and internal communication between the First Minister and t...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-16
Reference
202300357979
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government information in relation to child safeguarding concerns: FOI release

all information held by the Scottish Government in relation to the child safeguarding concerns you raised in 2022 and 2023, including all documents held and communications (emails / letters) both internal and with other third parties such as Education Scotland; and all information held in relation to the review recentl...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 47 working days over deadline correspondence s.38(1) s.25(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-16
Reference
202300353761
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Royal Household handling of requests: FOI release

Accordingly, please provide any information held by the Scottish Government in relation to the following matters: How any request by the Royal Household for information in relation to a Bill for which consent is sought, or any objection to the Bill’s content, are to be handled, including any general policies or practi...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.20 s.30 s.36(1) s.41
Published
2023-10-11
Reference
202300359750
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Law firms used by the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB): FOI release

Names of the law firms used by the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) in the past ten years and the names of the individuals who have provided advice.

FOI clarification 55 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.38
Published
2023-09-27
Reference
202200330334
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC) decision 065/2023: FOI release

The information the Scottish Government has been instructed to disclose following the SIC decision 065/2023. Internal correspondence on the initial handling of the FOI that led to the appeal which in turn led to the SIC decision noted above, and internal correspondence around how the appeal process was handled once the...

FOI already published 80 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.30 s.47(1) s.49(3) s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-09-20
Reference
FOI/202300365708
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

HM Inspector of Anatomy for Scotland investigation to Dundee University: FOI release

All information held by the Scottish Government – including the HM Inspector of Anatomy for Scotland – about the incident where a University of Dundee student posted video footage to social media that prompted an investigation by HMIAS in 2022. Please include all communication, both internal and external, relating to ...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-09-18
Reference
FOI/202300368952
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Covid Public Inquiry Establishment Division: FOI review

Further to my letter of 3 November 2021 acknowledging your request for a review and Robert Spratt’s letter of 29 November 2021 explaining the delay in responding due to volume and complexity of the information covered, I have now completed my review of our response to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 278 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) s.30 s.36 2 attachments
Published
2023-09-15
Reference
202100251822 Review of 202100244389
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector