Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

22,655releases indexed
40,520attachments found
29.5avg calendar days
8,395partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-10-08newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,395 unclear 7,405 not held 3,242 released 1,581 already published 703 cost limit 627 clarification 372 withheld 249 transferred 81

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5153 s.20 4430 s.34(1) 3730 s.39(2) 3593 s.30 3001 s.17(1) 2928 s.25(1) 2524 s.10(4) 2060 s.11(2) 1619 s.29(1) 1230 s.2 1227 s.3 959

Timeline

2026-10 8 2026-09 8 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,313 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 978 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 962 releases · 30.9 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 737 releases · 39.7 avg days Constitution Directorate 702 releases · 35.9 avg days Population Health Directorate 665 releases · 28.5 avg days People Directorate 657 releases · 25.6 avg days
Clear
22,655 matching releases

Restitution order under Section 104 Scotland Act 1998: FOI release

You asked for: 1. When the Scottish Government made a request for an order under Section 104 of the Scotland Act 1998 to enable the use of Restitution Orders as set out in the Victims and Witnesses Act 2014 which ended up being entitled the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Modification) Order 20...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence meetings s.10 s.29(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000118535
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Information relating to Police Scotland work with Sri Lanka: FOI release

Please provide copies of any records held by the Justice Directorate between 15 October 2020 and 8 December 2020 relating to Police Scotland's work with Sri Lanka. I expect your search to include records held by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and his team.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000121879
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Public sector

Correspondence regarding timing of publishing referendums bill: FOI release

From 1 September 2020 to present: Copies of correspondence (emails, texts, minutes of calls, memos, minutes of meetings and/or otherwise) between civil servants and/or Special Advisors and/or Scottish Government Cabinet members on the timing of publishing the referendums bill.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence meetings s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000096516
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Communications regarding ‘pulse fishing’: EIR release

To summarise, you asked for communications in the past two years between: Marine Scotland and Scottish Ministers Marine Scotland and DEFRA Marine Scotland the owner of the Scottish vessel In relation to “electro trawling” or “pulse fishing” and the Scottish vessel permitted to carry out the activity.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100135563
Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries

Civil Servants preparation in giving evidence to Committee for Former First Minister inquiry: FOI release

Provide me with the current figure for the cost of providing external assistance for civil servants ahead of evidence sessions of the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints. A previous FOI put the figure at £54,378 as of November 3, so please provide an updated figure as of today (Jan 14...

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100137646
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge monthly statistics: EIR release

You requested the following information; "and the Forth Road Bridge broken down by: bridge type of vehicle month from November 2019 to the present day" You further clarified that you required the monthly traffic flows for the Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge for the above period.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000111588
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Average time for Scottish Government to respond to Ministerial correspondence: FOI release

Broken down per month for the past 3 years: The average time for the Scottish Government to respond to Ministerial correspondence. (This is the period of time from when the correspondence was received until the response was issued from the Scottish Government)

FOI unclear 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000111708
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Single longest wait for Scottish Government to respond to Ministerial correspondence: FOI release

Broken down per month for the past 3 years: The single longest wait for the Scottish Government to respond to a Ministerial correspondence. (This is the period of time from when the correspondence was received until the response was issued from the Scottish Government)

FOI unclear 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000111715
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

All correspondence between the Scottish Government and P&O Ferries: FOI release

You asked for details of all contact between the Scottish Government and P&O Ferries between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2020, including copies of all written correspondence (letters and emails); details (including time, date, participants) of any meetings between SG officials and/or ministers and P&O staff or its repr...

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202100135421
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Planning applications submitted between 2015-2020 in local council area: EIR release

1. For the last five years (2015-2020) how many applications have been received about sites planning flats or other residential dwellings in Aberdeen city boundaries? 2. What % proportion have been found in favour of the appellant?

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 6 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000125829
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Building, planning and design, Housing, Public sector

The number of deaths due to COVID-19 within Scotland: FOI release

How many people have died in Scotland because of COVID-19 alone?

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202100136055
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

COVID-19 deaths at Ninewells Hospital: FOI release

How many people have passed away in Ninewells hospital solely from Covid-19? As in, they were admitted into Ninewells and died due to Covid-19 only. I would like to know the exact figure from 1st February 2020 to 1st January 2021 of people who have died due to Covid-19 only and not any other existing or underlying iss...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202100138939
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Education Scotland stance on Civil Service Code: FOI release

1. Are teachers in general bound by the Civil Service Code? 2. Are all members of staff involved in the decision making at Canal View Primary, Wester Hailes, Edinburgh bound by the Civil Service Code? 3. Are all members of staff at Education Scotland bound by the Civil Service Code?(Internal and External) 4. I would li...

FOI unclear 55 score 3 working days correspondence meetings s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000127457
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Forestry external training spend and budget: FOI release

1. External training spend in the previous 3 fiscal years (2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20) in Scottish Forestry, broken down by: Amount spent through the Civil Service Learning contract and amount spent to deliver external training through other contracts Under the Civil Service Learning Contract -Amount spent on online/d...

FOI transferred 80 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000093299
Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence and information relating to the Bifab press release: FOI release

You asked for: Copies of correspondence between the UK and Scottish Governments regarding the following press release: https://www.gov.scot/news/bifab-working-group/, as well as the joint statement and working group to which it refers. Please limit to the time period 10 November 2020 to present. Which minister or offi...

FOI withheld 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.28 s.28(1) s.18
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000116158
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public Sector

Exams draft report by Professor Mark Priestley: FOI release

Professor Priestley's draft report on exams handed in to the DFM earlier this month. Any associated correspondance between Prof Priestly or his office and the Scottish Government either leading up to or arising from that draft report.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000092256
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration (SCRA) during COVID-19: FOI release

You asked: "Did the first minister make a public speech around April and June stating that she was going above the children’s act (The law) and extended all orders made through the children’s hearing system without any parental consent or letters sent to parents will this information in full the children’s reporter did...

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.7
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000117278
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Communications with Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) regarding 2021 exam diet: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, text messages, typed or hand-written notes, phone calls or otherwise) regarding the 2021 SQA exam diet. I would like this information from 09 September 2020 to 07 October 2020. Any communications (including letters, emails, text messages, typed...

FOI cost limit 70 score 18 working days correspondence spending whatsapp s.12 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000096252
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Scottish Government funded worldwide properties: FOI release

You asked for: Part 1: a. In how many UK Government owned / rented properties (excluding UK) worldwide has the Scottish Government & other Scottish Government funded / financed public bodies / quangos – a presence? b. How many & at what cost are financed directly by Scottish Government & other Scottish public bodies /...

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1) s.25(1)
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000114270
Directorate
Topic
International, Money and tax, Public sector

The Scottish Government definition of gender: FOI release

“The Office for National Statistics and UK Government bodies have set out their definition of the terms "sex" and "gender" here: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/articles/whatisthedifferencebetweensexandgender/2019-02-21 Could you please let me know if the Scottish Government is in concurrence with ...

FOI not held 45 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.21
Published
2021-02-05
Reference
FOI/202000116319
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector, Topics

Civil servant witnesses at Harassment Committee: FOI release

"having read that the ScotGov spent 55k on coaching for witnesses at the Alex Salmond enquiry I would like to obtain the following information. Which witnesses received this coaching. Why it was thought they need coaching to tell the truth under oath. Who decided that coaching was needed or appropriate. How much in to...

FOI unclear 55 score 15 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-05
Reference
FOI/202100144996
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

A breakdown amount of Civil Servants the Scottish Government has employed: FOI release

1. How many civil servants worked for the Scottish Government in each year starting with April 2006 to April 2020. 2. What is the current head count of civil servants working for the Scottish Government as of November 2020. 3. What was the cost of employing civil servants for each year since April 2006. 4. How many age...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.20
Published
2021-02-05
Reference
FOI/202000111656
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector, Work and skills

Human beings as patented GMOs: FOI release

How is it recorded on Scottish Government systems that a Human Being cannot be patented as a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) and that this is enshrined in Scots Law? As with the earlier Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 request (now at the Internal Review stage) on the Nuremberg Code, if the Scottish Gove...

FOI not held 45 score 9 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-05
Reference
202000120465
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public Sector

Correspondence to the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning: FOI release

From 1 July 2020 to present: Copies of all correspondence (emails, letters, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls and/or otherwise) from any of the following organisations: Shelter Scotland, Social Bite, Homelessness Network Scotland, Crisis to Housing Minister Kevin Stewart.

FOI unclear 75 score 12 working days correspondence ministers meetings 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-05
Reference
FOI/202000118557
Directorate
Topic
Housing, Money and tax, Public sector