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

Rural exemption to Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012: EIR release

"Information on the decision that was made to retain the Rural exemption to the Waste Scotland Regulations (2012), which I believe was recently reconsidered." After a request for clarification from myself, you also requested information on the landfill ban.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 60 score 8 working days correspondence contracts
Published
2022-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100263337
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Farming and rural, Public sector

Correspondence between Teneo Restructuring Limited in 2021: FOI release

“Any correspondence between Teneo Restructuring Limited and its employees including emails, letters, memos, meetings, handouts, and attachments to emails, with civil servants in the legal directorate or justice directorate, special advisers, the Lord Advocate’s office, The First Minister, Deputy First Minister, and Jus...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100256538
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Details of meetings with Equality groups: FOI release

Further to the information provided in FoI response reference 202100258782 dated 16 December (sent 31 December), for the organisations named in that response, and for any others not included in the list with which relevant meetings have been held, please provide: the dates of the meetings held, any notes or other reco...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.36(1) 6 attachments
Published
2022-02-07
Reference
FOI/202200269334
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Information regarding complaint made by Alex Salmond: FOI review

I previously sent an FOI regarding an allegation that the name of a complainer had been revealed to Mr Geoff Aberdein by a senior Scottish Government official. A complaint had been made about this by Mr Alex Salmond, and I asked a series of questions regarding this. It is only recently that I have been made aware throu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence s.21(4) s.1 s.2 s.26 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.6 4 attachments
Published
2022-01-31
Reference
FOI/202100254262 review of 202100244471
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence with UK Government regarding UNCRC Bill: FOI release

Correspondence between the UK and Scottish Governments in relation to the UNCRC (incorporation) (Scotland) Bill between September 2019 and March 2021.

FOI already published 80 score 121 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.28 s.36 s.25 s.28(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-26
Reference
FOI/202100219052
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Internal correspondence mentioning For Women Scotland work: FOI release

Any internal correspondence among civil servants within the Children and Families Directorate, Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate, senior civil servants, ministers and special advisers which includes the name of the charity "ForWomen Scotland" or discusses the organisation's work, since the start of 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-25
Reference
FOI/202100248103
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Information pertaining to Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013: EIR review

Your request, reference 202100226158 1) Correspondence sent and received, between the Scottish Government and representatives of HM the Queen, including the Queen's legal representatives and the Crown regarding the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2013, including but not exclusively on whether any of its clause...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-25
Reference
FOI/202100253398 review of 202100226158
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Correspondence between SQA and Scottish Government regarding appeals process: FOI Release

All communication between the SQA and Scottish Government (ministers, special advisers, learning directorate officials) regarding / referring to the appeals system for 2021 results, the details of which have now been published on the SQA website: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/79049.html The time frame for this request is...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 141 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-24
Reference
FOI/202100208810
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communication with Scottish Prison Service regarding photocopying of mail: FOI release

Correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service regarding the proposal to change prison rules to allow for the photocopying of prisoner mail, bet...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1)B s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-17
Reference
FOI/202100252770
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

A75 traffic controls within Springholm: EIR review

1. Details of the time delays now operating at the Springholm A75 eastbound and westbound entering and exiting channel signals between initial detection of a speeding approaching vehicle and the commencement of presentation of the amber signal preceding red. If this delay varies according to signal approach location, t...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence meetings contracts s.7 s.6 s.6(1) s.2 s.3 s.10(4) s.17(1) s.16
Published
2021-12-22
Reference
FOI/202100251313 review of 202100242248
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Details of independent review into The New School, Butterstone closure: FOI release

1. I wish to know how much was spent on the Independent Review Into the Closure of The New School, Butterstone. Please break this down into: Remuneration/salary/wages etc Expenses Legal fees Other costs 2. I wish to know how Mr James Martin CBE was recruited to perform this task and what procurement process was used....

FOI released 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending
Published
2021-12-22
Reference
FOI/202100253273
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Climate change fund for developing countries: FOI release

In relation to the following article https://www.itv.com/news/2021-11-01/nicola-sturgeon-pledges-1m-fund-for-climate-loss-and-damage 1. How many staff will manage this fund? 2. What are the running costs for staff? 3. Did the Scottish Government have any discussions with FCDO? If so can you provide the documents? 4. Ha...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-12-22
Reference
FOI/202100252499
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Total cost of Edinburgh Tram inquiry: FOI release

1. The total cost of the Edinburgh Tram inquiry to date. 2. A breakdown of cost by year since establishment to date. 3. The cost of any external legal advice or representation for the Scottish Government as part of the Edinburgh Tram inquiry (please indicate whether this is included in the answer to question 1). 3a. Pl...

FOI unclear 55 score 2 working days correspondence spending s.20
Published
2021-12-21
Reference
FOI/202100256857
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Correspondence pertaining to the welfare of sheep on St Kilda: EIR Review

Please supply a copy of your division’s correspondence, internal and external, pertaining to the welfare of, specifically the sheep on the St Kllda archipelago – including their considered legal welfare status – from the time of preliminary discussions around the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 to the pre...

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-12-15
Reference
FOI/202100253172 Review of 202100235081
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, Public sector

Information regarding registration of birth: FOI release

1. Under what authority do l have to register a birth in scotland? 2. What happens if l don't register a birth in scotland? 3. Can l gain a passport and travel internationally without registering a birth?

FOI unclear 55 score 14 working days correspondence s.14 s.16(3) s.53(3) s.5 s.13 s.44
Published
2021-12-13
Reference
FOI/202100250063
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Law and order, Public sector

NHS Highland workforce policies: FOI release

1. Who appoints the staff running NHS Highland (from the chief executives down to the heads of finance, payroll managers, HR managers, FoI administrators, security managers, directors of finance, board secretaries, legal office managers, etc.), and to whom they have to report? 2. Who monitors the staff running NHS High...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.7
Published
2021-12-13
Reference
FOI/202100248176
Directorate
Health Workforce Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

COVID 19 Coronavirus testing: FOI release

1) I would like to know how many false positives Scotland has had since testing started for sars-cov-2?? 2) I would like to know how many people are testing more than twice a week as this would mean figures are being falsified if your counting the same person twice or three times would it not? 3) Why testing healthy pe...

FOI/EIR withheld 55 score 16 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.8(1)
Published
2021-12-13
Reference
FOI/202100250206
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Covid-19 bereaved families: FOI release

1. All correspondence, emails, record of phone calls, notes, including text messages received either by John Swinney or Humza Yousaf from Aamer Anwar seeking or making arrangements to meet Covid19 Bereaved Families for Justice Group or in relation to a request for a Public Inquiry or the date of a Public Inquiry into C...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.5 s.12 s.6 s.25(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-12-08
Reference
FOI/202100247071
Directorate
Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

COVID-19 details of vaccine passports, vaccine policy and covid isolation: FOI release

Information on a variety of issues including - Vaccine Passports, Testing, and Injections for Children. We have broken down the key components of your request as they were handled by different areas. The separate sections are then numbered for ease of understanding. We have identified 10 main questions from your reques...

FOI not held 45 score 45 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2021-11-30
Reference
FOI/202100244670
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Communication concerning mountain hares’ current and future legal status: EIR release

1. Any electronic, written, or other correspondence from or between the Scottish Government directorates, between August 2020 and August 2021, concerning mountain hare's current and future legal status. This should include (but not be limited to) electronic, written, or other correspondence concerning mountain hares' c...

FOI/EIR already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-17
Reference
FOI/202100244500
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Legal costs regarding Supreme Court case: FOI release

''Could you please provide me with the full legal costs, paid or to be paid by the Scottish Government, incurred as a consequence of the recent Supreme Court case regarding the competence of laws passed by the Scottish Parliament. Please include the total cost of all legal fees or charges, paid or invoiced so far, such...

FOI released 70 score 19 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-11-16
Reference
FOI/202100245380
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Information held relating to abortion protests: FOI release

1. Any correspondence to and from Scottish Ministers on the topic of protests outside facilities providing abortions or sexual health care. 2. Any correspondence, meeting notes, minutes or any other documentation relating to meetings or discussions between the Scottish Government, local authorities and/or COSLA on the ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.3 s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-15
Reference
FOI/202100243716
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Correspondence with Scottish Prison Service regarding prisoner mobile phones: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise), limited to 1 September 2020 and 1 September 2021, between the Scottish Prison Service and the Scottish Government regarding mobile phones issued to prisoner...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-10
Reference
FOI/202100240121
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Preparation used to support the decision making outlined in Short-terms lets legislation: FOI release

Under FOISA, please provide the modelling, information, analysis, any calculations and documentation used to support the Scottish Government's decision making, outlined in Short-term lets - licensing scheme and planning control area legislation: draft business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) [https://www.gov.sc...

FOI clarification 80 score 44 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-10
Reference
FOI/202100232330
Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Covid-19 vaccine passport: FOI release

1. Can you confirm: will the word “vaccine” be used on this document. Further will it be officially called and titled a covid or a vaccine passport? 2. A statement was made by Nadhim Zahawi MP in the House of Commons in relation to vaccine passports and the fact that the experimental “vaccine” trial required to have so...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.5 s.25(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-08
Reference
FOI/202100240769
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector