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
777 matching releases

Clearance of requests by Ministers or special advisers: FOI release

1. Regarding all of my FOISA requests tabled to the SG since October 1st 2017, please provide all examples of clearance by Ministers/Ministerial offices, including emails and the content of attachments in emails. 2. Regarding all of my FOISA requests tabled to the SG since October 1st 2017, please provide all emails (...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-08-01
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Numbers of Special Advisers since 2011: FOI release

"Under The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I would be obliged if you could send me, in electronic and letter form, I wish to know the number of Government Special Advisors appointed by the Scottish Government/Executive since April 2011 to the present date, 16th June 2018. For all branches and departments of...

FOI clarification 55 score correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.25(1) s.27(1)
Published
2018-07-30
Reference
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Comments made by Gillian Martin in her blog: FOI release

Copies of all correspondence throughout June 2018 between officials, special advisers, Ministers, and any charities, equality groups or individual LGBT campaigners regarding comments made by Gillian Martin in her blog. You also sought details of any phone calls made by Special Advisers, officials or Ministers regarding...

FOI released 95 score correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments
Published
2018-07-27
Reference
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence on Special Advisers changing roles/speciality areas: FOI release

Any internal correspondence on special advisers changing roles and areas of speciality from November 2014 to date and on hiring special advisers over the same period. You later clarified your request: This would refer to any correspondence from or to special advisers' email accounts or those of Ministers.

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers contracts s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-07-20
Reference
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic

Clearance of the requestor's requests submitted since 01/08/2017: FOI release

1. Regarding all of my FOISA requests tabled to the SG since August 1st 2017, please provide all examples of clearance by Ministers/Ministerial offices, including emails andthe content of attachments in emails. 2. Regarding all of my FOISA requests tabled to the SG since August 1st 2017, please provide all emails (and...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-07-17
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Special Adviser salary, costs and expenses 2014/15, 2017/18: FOI release

The current combined annual salary costs for Scottish Government special advisers; for the combined annual salary cost in November 2014 and for the total expenses bill associated with special advisers in 2014/15 and 2017/18

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.25(1)
Published
2018-07-13
Reference
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Dilation and curettage procedures in NHS Boards: FOI release

All correspondence, memos and reports sent to/from the CMO's office in relation to D&C procedures since October 2 2017.

FOI already published 80 score correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.29 2 attachments
Published
2018-06-29
Reference
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence in relation to FOI/18/00965: FOI release

'Any and all correspondence preceding the date the information is released to me which discusses my request, such as the discussion between special advisers or government officials about the handling of this request.'

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence special advisers s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2018-06-29
Reference
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Public sector

ScotGEM bursary: FOI release

Details of the decisions and creation of the ScotGEM bursary.

FOI partially withheld 65 score correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.28(1) s.29(1) s.36(1) s.29
Published
2018-06-21
Reference
Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Baby Boxes: correspondence with Finnish welfare agency Kela: FOI release

1. All correspondence to and from the Scottish government and the Finnish welfare agency Kela, or any other branch of the government of Finland, concerning Scotland's introduction of baby boxes dating from the point when work on the scheme, or consideration of the scheme, began by the Scottish government. 2. All memos...

FOI not held 70 score correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-06-06
Reference
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

First Minister's visit to China: FOI release

For the First Minister's recent visit to China: 1. What was the First Minister's detailed Itinerary? 24/7 2. What was the schedule of meetings? 3. What was the subject or purpose of the meetings? 4. Who attended the meetings? 5. What agreements or commitments were made on behalf of the Scottish electorate?

FOI unclear 80 score correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-05-21
Reference
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Correspondence regarding s.124 of Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: FOI release

Copies of any correspondence and minutes of meetings or telephone calls Scottish Ministers or their Special Advisers have had with: Aberdeen Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Inverness Airport, Sumburgh Airport, Police Scotland, Aberdeen City, City of Edinburgh Council, Renfrewshir...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.12 s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 14 attachments
Published
2018-05-16
Reference
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Communications between FOI officers and Special Advisers: FOI release

1. In a response to a request for information dated 6 March 2018 you noted that it would be too costly to check the FoI tracker system for all cases which were sent to the 'FoI SpAds' mailbox. I would now like to request information relating to how many emails in the 'FoI SpAds' mailbox originated from the Freedom of I...

FOI not held 70 score correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2018-05-16
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Number of FOI requests received in March 2018: FOI release

1. The total number of FOI requests received. 2. The total number of FOI requests which were deemed to require ministerial sign off or approval. 3. The total number of FOI requests in which one or more special advisers were in any way involved in the response. The time period for this information: requests received ...

FOI unclear 50 score correspondence ministers special advisers
Published
2018-05-14
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence with the Scottish Fiscal Commission: FOI release

Any correspondence in 2017 or 2018 between Scottish Government Ministers, special advisers or senior civil servants and anyone at the Scottish Fiscal Commission regarding GDP growth projections, productivity projections or income tax revenue.

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers s.29(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2018-05-01
Reference
Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the handling of an FOI: FOI release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I would like to request the following information: All correspondence regarding FOI/18/00444 within the Scottish Government. Information should include: correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefs or otherwi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence special advisers meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-04-25
Reference
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Export Statistics Scotland: FOI release

You asked for Correspondence (emails, Yammer messages, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings or otherwise) between SG ministers or special advisers and civil servants regarding the Exports Statistics Scotland publication prior to its public release.

FOI released 95 score correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings 16 attachments
Published
2018-04-24
Reference
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Number of public relations, media and press officers: FOI release

1. The number of public relations, media and press officers/staff employed by the Scottish Government. This should only include civil servants, and not special advisers or political spokesmen/women. 2. The amount of money the Scottish Government has spent paying the salary of these staff in the last three years. 2a. ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score correspondence special advisers spending s.2A s.2 s.38(1)
Published
2018-04-24
Reference
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Breakdown of the handling of an FOI request: FOI release

A breakdown of the handling of FoI/18/00438, including a) who was asked for information, b) who provided information, c) who did not provide information, d) when the FOI was handed to a Special Advisor and how long the Special Advisor held the FOI before returning it, and if they made any requests.

FOI clarification 50 score correspondence ministers special advisers
Published
2018-04-18
Reference
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

Labour productivity for quarter 3 statistics publication: FOI release

Requested information for correspondence (emails, Yammer messages, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings or otherwise) between SG ministers or special advisers and civil servants regarding the Labour Productivity for Quarter 3 stat publication prior to its public release.

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 4 attachments
Published
2018-04-16
Reference
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Quarterly national accounts quarter 3 statistics publication: FOI release

Requested information for Correspondence (emails, Yammer messages, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings or otherwise) between SG ministers or special advisers and civil servants regarding the Quarterly National Accounts Scotland for quarter 3 stat publication prior to its public release...

FOI released 95 score correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings 4 attachments
Published
2018-04-16
Reference
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Freedom of information requests received by Scottish Government: FOI release

Thank you for your request dated 7 March 2018 under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for information relating to Freedom of Information requests received by the Scottish Government.

FOI not held 45 score correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1) s.12
Published
2018-04-12
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Details of the five Programme for Government ideas: FOI release

Details of the five 'PfG' ideas requested by the First Minister, as detailed in Richard Rollison's email of 14 July 2017. Information should include but not be limited to: any correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, briefs or otherwise) between Nicola Sturgeon and Rollison mentioning o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers s.25 s.29(1) s.30B 2 attachments
Published
2018-04-03
Reference
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with BTP merger Joint Programme Board: FOI release

Copies of correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefs or otherwise) between the BTP merger Joint Programme Board (individual members and as a whole) and the Scottish Government, on the topic of further time being required to deliver BTP integration, from 1 Janua...

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.27(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2018-03-29
Reference
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Special Advisers expenses: FOI release

Number of advisers assigned/engaged by the First Minister. The total cost of the advisers including fees, expenses, travel room and board On 20 February you provided clarification of what you meant by "Advisers": Taxpayer funded political advisers.

FOI clarification 55 score correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.25(1)
Published
2018-03-23
Reference
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector