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

COVID1-19 Reported Deaths: FOI release

I note recently that the deaths from Covid-19 was 3,588 on the basis of the daily reporting figures. However, the National Records of Scotland reports 5,380 deaths for the same period. If the discrepancy was around 30 deaths, that would be understandable, but a difference of 1,792 requires explanation. Why does the Sco...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2021-01-11
Reference
FOI/202000119481
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Discharges from NHS hospitals to Care homes report: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence and communications held by Scottish Government and dated between October 6 and October 29 2020 which refers to the report ‘Discharges from NHS hospitals to care homes between 1 March and 31 May 2020

FOI partially withheld 90 score 49 working days over deadline correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-01-11
Reference
FOI/202000104984 and FOI/202000105001
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence stating “legal advice” from First Minister’s office between specified dates: FOI release

Any mentions of “legal advice” in any correspondence (including emails, attachments, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) from the First Minister or members of her office. Please limit the time period to 22 August 2018 until 1 January 2019.

FOI unclear 55 score 38 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.17(1)
Published
2021-01-08
Reference
FOI/202000110871
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Questions concerning the NHS bonus scheme funding and UK funding: FOI release

Please provide me with the details of were the money came from to fund the £500 bonus recently announced by the Scottish Government. 1. Did it come via UK consequential's meant for business loans or grants ? 2. Did it Come from UK consequentials meant for NHS covid related requirements? 3. Can you pinpoint directly ...

FOI unclear 55 score 8 working days correspondence ministers spending s.5 s.25(1)
Published
2020-12-23
Reference
FOI/202000121248
Directorate
Financial Management Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy: FOI release

"The economic impact survey the First Minister made reference to in her Covid briefing yesterday 18/11/2020. She stated that “the impact to the economy of letting Covid run unchecked would be greater than the impact these lockdowns are having”. To make such a factual claim the First Minister must have done a full and d...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.25(1)
Published
2020-12-23
Reference
FOI/202000113608
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Economy, Public sector

Scottish Government homeworking equipment costs: FOI release

1) For each Scottish Government department, please provide me with the following breakdown of information. 1a) The total cost of equipment connected to enabling working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic since February 2020. 1b) An itemised list of what was purchased by each department and the cost of each item. ...

FOI cost limit 45 score 17 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1) s.12
Published
2020-12-23
Reference
FOI/202000115714
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

COVID-19 restrictions related to congregational singing: FOI release

In relation to "Singing, chanting and the playing of instruments" it is stated that "Scientific studies indicate that it is the cumulative aerosol transmission from both those performing in and attending events that involve singing and the playing of wind and brass instruments, that is likely to create risk" Can you t...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.20
Published
2020-12-23
Reference
FOI/202000116835
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Law and order, +1 more … Public sector

Certification process of a persons death by a doctor: FOI release

You asked how the difference between influenza and Covid on a death certificate is arrived at by the certifying doctor and/or pathologist carrying out the investigation.

FOI unclear 50 score 5 working days correspondence
Published
2020-12-23
Reference
FOI/202000124513
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Questions concerning the Scottish Governments response to COVID-19 and testing: FOI release

1. the number of covid infections for sept 2020 oct 2020 and to this date nov 2020 2. out of 100 000 case how many were false positives 3. are false positives added to the daily count 4. if they are not then how do you know so quickly 5. out of the all the cases since just after the snp took no notice of the nike confe...

FOI unclear 75 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2020-12-23
Reference
FOI/202000111728
Directorate
Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Transmission rate of COVID-19 within gyms and self catering accommodation: FOI release

You asked for the transmission rate of Covid infection from gyms and also from self catering accommodation.

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence contracts
Published
2020-12-21
Reference
FOI/202000120905
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

COVID-19 related information regarding previous and future Health Protection Regulations: FOI release

1. What is the 14 (or 7)-day incidence of reported cases (per 100k) in the Council of Aberdeen City (7/14-day cumulative number of COVID-19 cases per 100k) 2. What is the Scottish Governments benchmark for new local lockdown restrictions? It couldn’t be just arbitrarily. 3. On which facts is the dangerousness of the ...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 97 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.4A s.17 s.17(1) s.30 s.25
Published
2020-12-21
Reference
FOI/202000072147
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Meetings between Lord Advocate and First Minister on specific dates: FOI release

1. All meetings between the Lord Advocate and the First Minister between the dates of the 3 June 2018 and 23 August 2018. 2. The details of these meetings - including minutes, written notes, texts, emails and attachments etc or any other documented information regarding these meetings.

FOI unclear 55 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1)
Published
2020-12-17
Reference
FOI/202000111985
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

COVID-19 restrictions and aquatic training: FOI release

What is the medical and scientific evidence that supports the circumstance of the prevention of participation for over 18s in club swimming training whilst at the same time backs continuation of under 18s training and public lane swimming? This is in relation to level 3 regulations in Scotland.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.27(1)
Published
2020-12-17
Reference
FOI/202000118343
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

COVID-19 funding allocation and Care home residents date of hospital discharge: FOI release

1. A full and detailed breakdown of where the £8.2 billion allocated by the UK government has been spent, how much has been retained and the reason for doing so. 2. What exact date did the First Minister find out that care home residents were being sent back from hospital and without test, or known positives.

FOI unclear 50 score 3 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending
Published
2020-12-17
Reference
FOI/202000124506
Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, +2 more … Money and tax, Public sector

Questions concerning Scottish Government budget and Barnett consequentials: FOI release

1. What share of £8.2 billion guaranteed to the Scottish budget by the UK Government has each portfolio within the Scottish Government received to date. 2. How much of the £8.2 billion guaranteed to the Scottish budget by the UK Government has been allocated and how much is yet to be allocated. 3. Any documents produ...

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2020-12-17
Reference
FOI/202000110208
Directorate
Financial Management Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Police Scotland budget allocated to iVPD: FOI release

You asked for the total funds provided by the Scottish Government to Police Scotland for the establishment of the iVPD (likely called the VPD at the time) i.e. the set up costs. The additional yearly funds that were provided to Police Scotland for the maintenance of the iVPD since 2014, including the costs for “weeding...

FOI unclear 50 score 17 working days correspondence spending
Published
2020-12-17
Reference
FOI/202000105514
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Law and order, Public safety and emergencies, +1 more … Public sector

Civil servant redeployment to support COVID-19 response: FOI release

The number of civil servants redeployed from the Constitution and Cabinet Directorate during the COVID-19 pandemic to work in other government departments. Broken down by month from April 2020 to present.

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence
Published
2020-12-17
Reference
FOI/202000105326
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Former First Minister allegations: FOI release

"The date on which the First Minister was first notified by Sky News of allegations about Alex Salmond’s behaviour. To clarify, in her written submission to the Scottish Parliament’s Committee on the Handling of Harassment, Nicola Sturgeon stated that she was told of these allegations during November 2017 but I am requ...

FOI unclear 55 score 44 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1)
Published
2020-12-17
Reference
FOI/202000099508
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Strathclyde University questions concerning economic investment: FOI release

1. How much money Strathclyde University stand to make from the public purse and private dealings in relation to the economy and the corona virus pandemic? 2. Why is a university being given so much power over Scotland’s future and its money. 3. How is this financial conflict of interests between the Scot Gov and Str...

FOI not held 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.19(4)
Published
2020-12-16
Reference
FOI/202000110935
Directorate
Topic

Marine fish farm at Carradale North: EIR release

Information relating to the marine fish farm situated at Carradale North, with reference to the recent escape event occurring in August 2020. Specifically, you asked for the following with reference to ‘applications to Marine Scotland’ in relation to the specifications (of the mooring ropes and system) given by the app...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-12-16
Reference
FOI/202000080506
Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Submission to Stonewall Workplace Equality Index: FOI release

'In a submission to the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, the Scottish Government stated that a briefing was prepared for the Permanent Secretary in July 2018 in relation to work being undertaken to ensure that the Scottish Government returned to the Top100 of the Stonewall index. Under freedom of information legisla...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 8 working days correspondence briefings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-12-16
Reference
FOI/202000094710
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data for 49F1, 49F2, 50F1 and 50F2: EIR release

The following VMS fishing data: • ICES Rectangles 49F1, 49F2, 50F1 and 50F2 for all of 2018, all of 2019 & Jan-Sep 2020; If available, the following fields would be useful: • Gear type • Nationality • Length • Tonnage • Activity • Speed

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 8 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2020-12-15
Reference
FOI/202000095157
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Correspondence with Roddy Dunlop QC: FOI release

The content of all correspondence between the Scottish government and Roddy Dunlop QC between the dates July 1, 2018, and March 1, 2019. This should include the content of any emails, handwritten notes, text, WhatsApp or other electronic messages.

FOI cost limit 45 score 49 working days over deadline correspondence spending whatsapp s.12 s.36(1)
Published
2020-12-15
Reference
FOI/202000097046
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector