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

Communication relating to Freedom of Information requests: FOI release

All internal and external communications regarding my previous request, 202100202671.All internal and external communications regarding my previous request, 202100208816.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-07-15
Reference
FOI/202100215169
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Legal advice pertaining to an independent Scotland joining EU: FOI release

Any government/ministerial communication with regards to any legal advice pertaining to an independent Scotland joining the EU. Period between January 2018 and June 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-07-14
Reference
FOI/202100214144
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Breakdown of legal fees over £50,000: FOI release

1. In the last five financial years (inclusive of 2021/22), please provide the details of which matters counsel or legal advice was sought for any cumulative cost of legal fees of more than £50,000. 2. This should include live and closed matters, with "matters" taken to be a general description of the action, not the l...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-07-05
Reference
FOI/202100209871
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Law and order, Money and tax, Public sector

Costs of legal services regarding former First Minister's judicial review: FOI release

"Information contained in documents & discussions relating to, and all information contained in: fees, all fee notes & Faculty Services Fee notes, accounts & receipts - for costs, expenses & fees paid to: Roddy Dunlop QC Christine O'Neill QC in relation to legal advice and all legal services provided to the Scottish ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 60 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-06-17
Reference
FOI/202100184741
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Law and order, Public sector

Questions regarding Scottish border: FOI release

Any analysis or assessment made by the Scottish Government on whether independence would require a border between Scotland and the rest of the UK or the EU.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-14
Reference
FOI/202100196894
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Informal requests received from 31 October 2018 onwards: FOI release

FOI202100191813 “Thanks for you work on my behalf. I apologise for my carelessness in this foi. In fact Clegg says that the Record (so not just Clegg) made requests (so not formal foi’s necessarily). Can I ask whether there were any informal requests from 31 October. Maybe you considered this, but if not, can you accep...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.17(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-10
Reference
FOI/202100191813, 202100194412 and 202100195519
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Expenditure of James Hamilton QC inquiry: FOI release

Could you please tell me who paid for the James Hamilton QC inquiry and how much it cost.

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.25(1)
Published
2021-06-09
Reference
FOI/202100189377
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Lord Advocate correspondence relating to publication of Alex Salmond’s submission: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) received or sent by the Lord Advocate (or his office) on 19, 20, 21, 22 or 23 February 2021 regarding the publication of Alex Salmond’s Ministerial Code subm...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 63 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.26 s.11 s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-08
Reference
FOI/202100166329
Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Communication relating to licence for falconry and aviculture: FOI release

Any communications made from the 01/01/2017 that Scottish Government holds relating to Section 16.1(e) of the Wildlife and Countryside 1981, including communication with Nature Scotland (SNH) and Defra / Natural England. Section 16.1(e) relates to the power to grant licenses for the purpose of falconry or aviculture.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.16 s.36(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-07
Reference
FOI/202100196898
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Cabinet Secretary for Health letter dated June 2018: FOI release

Documents, discussions & communications relating to a letter from The Cabinet Secretary for Health (Shona obison) to the Deputy First Minister (John Swinney) dated 13 June 2018 with reference 2018/0016281. And information contained in: Any discussions, communications & documents between Ms Robison, Mr Swinney, the Sco...

FOI unclear 75 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending 4 attachments
Published
2021-06-04
Reference
FOI/202100180873
Directorate
Health and Social Care Finance Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development review: FOI release

All correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Education (including Officials of his office) with OECD relating to the OECD review of Scottish education. In particular, I would like to see all correspondence and information relating to the contract between the Scottish Government and OECD.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 46 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.17(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-02
Reference
FOI/202100175114
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Justice on cutting unpaid work hours: FOI release

Correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) between the Cabinet Secretary for Justice's office and any other stakeholder, either external or internal, regarding the topic of cutting unpaid work hours issue...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-01
Reference
FOI/202100187501
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Money and tax, Public sector

Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan), CleanTreat & Benchmark since October 2020: EIR release

Please provide any information on Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan), CleanTreat and Benchmark since 26 October 2020 (i.e. since a FOI filed on that date: https://donstaniford.typepad.com/files/foiimidacloprid-26-oct-2020.pdf). Please include emails, reports, risk assessments, modelling results, surveys, photos, letters, Exc...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39 s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-27
Reference
FOI/202100195003
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Communications between Special Advisors and civil servants relating to independence: FOI release

From 1 March 2021 to present. Copies of all correspondence (emails, attachments, memos, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls and/or otherwise relevant) between Special Adviser and civil servants regarding the draft independence referendum bill that was published 22 March.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-05-27
Reference
FOI/202100186120
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affair referendum correspondence: FOI release

From 8 March 2021 to present: Copies of correspondence (emails, whatsapp messages, texts, letters, handwritten notes, minutes of calls, minutes of meetings and/or otherwise) to and/or from Mike Russell with any reference to the draft independence referendum bill published 22 March.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-05-27
Reference
FOI/202100186146
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Planning permission details regarding alterations to waste recycling facility: EIR release

Regarding the appeal case PPA-260-2055, 865 South Street, Glasgow, the release of the following information relating to the proposal for the period between 20/01/17 and 24/03/21: (a) all internal communications between Scottish Government officials (b) all communications between officials and Scottish Ministers; (c) al...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4)
Published
2021-05-27
Reference
FOI/202100189524
Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Heat Networks (Scotland) bill: FOI release

Copies of the correspondence received, the response sent (including any further follow up correspondence) and any discussions surrounding this (including internal discussions) between the Scottish Government and representatives of the Crown regarding Queen's Consent and the Heat Networks Bill. Please also include copie...

FOI already published 80 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) s.25 s.41 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-25
Reference
FOI/202100181726
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Communications involving the Scottish Government relating to beaver management: EIR release

Electronic copies of all communications involving the Scottish Government which relate to beaver management, including the process of obtaining and issuing licences from NatureScot to kill or control beavers, including any such communications which are critical of the approach taken at the relevant time. This request r...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.10(5)
Published
2021-05-20
Reference
FOI/202100164199
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Farming and rural, Public sector

Correspondence regarding draft bill on another independence referendum: FOI release

Copies of correspondence from/to and/or between members of the Constitution and Cabinet Directorate on the draft bill on another independence referendum announced in the 2020-21 Programme for Government.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-18
Reference
FOI/202100174032
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government investigation training: FOI release

Information on investigation training given to government employees including senior staff.

FOI not held 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-13
Reference
FOI/202100176844
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Burntisland Fabrications (BiFab) submitted business case: FOI release

A copy of the BiFab business case used as the basis for the Scottish Government's £37.4 million investment in BiFab.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.33(1) s.36(1) s.36(2) 4 attachments
Published
2021-05-13
Reference
FOI/202100178361
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

COVID-19 UK Four Nations meeting over Christmas period: FOI release

1. What medical advice were the SNP given in November when agreeing to Christmas mixing for all four nations? Did the SNP challenge the Conservative Government in Westminster on this plan? If so, what evidence is there? 2. Has the SNP made any challenge to the Westminster Conservative Government on the international tr...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-13
Reference
FOI/202100145803
Directorate
Health Workforce Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Analysis relating to the inclusion of sex/gender within Hate Crime Bill: FOI release

Analysis provided by officials which led to the Scottish Government’s initial decision to reject Lord Bracadale’s recommendation to include what he termed “gender” as a protected characteristic in the Bill, and any subsequent analysis which was used to confirm this position. Any further detailed analysis undertaken by ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-05-06
Reference
FOI/202100165382
Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Law and order, Public sector

Fisheries protection around the island of Rockall: EIR review

With apologies for the slight delay, further to my letter of 8th March 2021, I have now completed my review of our response to your request for: 1. All letters, emails and documents exchanged between the Scottish and Irish government relating to fishing rights for EU trawlers around the island of Rockall, dating from 1...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.4 s.20 s.39(2) s.10 s.10(5) s.10(4) s.11 s.11(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-05
Reference
FOI202100152931 review of 202100133316
Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector