Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

19,099releases indexed
31,532attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
7,049partially withheld
2018-11-16oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 7,049 unclear 6,352 not held 2,688 released 1,289 already published 610 cost limit 529 clarification 306 withheld 208 transferred 68

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4381 s.20 3726 s.34(1) 3480 s.39(2) 2967 s.30 2536 s.17(1) 2457 s.25(1) 2090 s.10(4) 1747 s.11(2) 1413 s.29(1) 1021 s.2 1021 s.3 800

Timeline

2026-05 339 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 1,082 releases · 27.9 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 858 releases · 31.1 avg days Marine Directorate 802 releases · 29.6 avg days Learning Directorate 714 releases · 34.4 avg days Population Health Directorate 607 releases · 28.7 avg days Economic Development Directorate 577 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 573 releases · 36.1 avg days People Directorate 536 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
47 matching releases

Advertising spend by the Scottish Government: FOI release

1. You asked for advertising spend by the Scottish Government broken down by media outlet for each of the last three financial years. Please include both print and broadcast outlets. 2. Details of all payments made to Newsquest in the same time period, broken down by year.

FOI not held 45 score 16 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2
Published
2024-04-08
Reference
FOI/202400391972
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

NHS funding social media message correspondence: FOI release

This request concerns the following tweet/post on Twitter/X: https://x.com/scotgov/status/1736370730051195272?s=46&t=y9v1mXDn2DQJqjCpgZcKXg Please answer the following questions. In answers where the person or persons concerned cannot be named, please state their positions. 1. Who composed the post/tweet? And who pr...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.1 s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-03-25
Reference
FOI/202300390033
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

First Minister's COP 28 travel: FOI release

1) What class of flight the first minister has booked to take him to and from COP28. 2) The cost of travel for the first minister to and from COP28. 3) If any of the first minister’s flights were chartered or private aircraft.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 14 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.25(1)
Published
2024-02-28
Reference
FOI/202300387839
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Consultation Hub response statistics since 2015: FOI release

For each year that the consultation hub (http://consult.scotland.gov.uk) has been operating since October 2015, please provide: 1. The average length of time taken from the closure of a consultation to the publication of responses. 2. The average length of time taken from the closure of a consultation to the publicat...

FOI released 75 score 20 working days correspondence s.2 s.3 s.17(1)
Published
2023-12-04
Reference
FOI/202300379124
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff numbers and pay for Scottish Government corporate communications department with duties involving health and social care: FOI release

How many staff are employed within the Scottish Government corporate communications department (or equivalent) with duties involving the health and social care portfolio? What pay banding do each of the staff members within the department with duties relating to the health and social care portfolio fall into? Please ad...

FOI released 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.5 s.10 s.2
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
202300352626
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to devolved vs reserved matters: FOI release

1. Any correspondence held by the Scottish government between the permanent secretary John Paul Marks and the cabinet secretary Simon Case, in relation to devolved vs reserved matters. By this I mean things like the constitution and foreign affairs – potential examples would be the subject of a “minister for independen...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300367840
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Charges to the Scottish Government relating to attending the Queen's Funeral: FOI release

1. Did the Scottish Government pay for Nicola Sturgeon to head to London for the Queen's funeral and if so, how much did it cost, how did she get there and where did she stay? Breakdown of these costs. 2. Did the Scottish Government pay for Lorna Slater to head to London for the Queen's funeral and if so, how much did...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.3
Published
2023-09-11
Reference
202200322855
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Flights taken by Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie: FOI release

1. The total number of flights Lorna Slater has taken since becoming a Scottish Government Minister in 2021, please separate these out into domestic and international flights. 2. The total cost of these flights, please separate these out into domestic and international flights. 3. The total distance of these flights, p...

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.3 s.4
Published
2022-12-15
Reference
FOI/202200323652
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Press officers and special advisors: FOI release

1. How many press officers and special advisers are currently (date of this FOI) employed by the Scottish Government? Breakdown of both categories. 2. How many of both categories were employed in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021? 3. How many special advisers does Nicola Sturgeon have? How many does each minister have? How much a...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.2 s.6 s.25(1) s.27(1)
Published
2022-11-17
Reference
FOI/202200325260
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands' trip to Catalonia in April 2022: FOI release

You asked for the following: 1. The total cost of Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon’s trip to Catalonia on the week commencing 25 April 2022, including the cost of travel, accommodation, and all expenses. 2. The Cabinet Secretary’s method of travel to and from Catalonia on the week commencing 25 April 2022. 3. How the Sc...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2
Published
2022-06-07
Reference
FOI/202200297360
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Payment to Republic of Media by Community Pharmacy Scotland: FOI release

1. How much Republic of Media has received in the last 5 years from Community Pharmacy Scotland to distribute posters to pharmacies? 2. How much each pharmacy receives to place these posters in their premises or how much the total payment is to all the pharmacies for placing these posters in their premises?

FOI unclear 55 score 8 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2
Published
2022-05-18
Reference
FOI/202200297947
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Money and tax, Public sector

Communication and costs of work with Stripe Agency: FOI release

1. Copies of communications between the Scottish Government and the Agency called ‘Stripe’ in the last 12 months. 2. Details of the costs to the Scottish Government relating to the work carried out by Stripe for St Andrew’s Day. 3. Any other costs to the Scottish Government relating to Stripe in the last 12 months.

FOI cost limit 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.2 s.12
Published
2022-02-01
Reference
FOI/202100259036
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, 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

COVID-19 advertising: FOI release

1) A list of all media outlets, including but not restricted to, newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, & the internet, who have received payments from the Scottish Government or its agents for advertisements regarding all information concerning the current pandemic, the restrictions, and vaccines. 2) A detailed bre...

FOI withheld 55 score 18 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2 s.33 s.33(1)
Published
2021-09-15
Reference
FOI/202100225513
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Flag flying and purchasing statistics: FOI release

1. A breakdown of the types and numbers of each flag owned by the Scottish Government that are to be flown on official days. 2. A breakdown of the cost and number purchased of each flag type over the past 12 months. 3. The cost of repairs made to owned flags over the past 12 month (with a breakdown by type of possible)...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.2 s.3
Published
2021-04-12
Reference
FOI/202100163026
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Programme for Government, Public sector

COVID-19: YouGov omnibus survey research results: FOI release

1. The results of research the Scottish Government has commissioned through the YouGov omnibus survey in the past 12 months on: a. Covid-19 Regulations and compliance with Covid-19 advice b. Covid-19 vaccine c. Adherence or compliance with self-isolation advice and requirements. 2. A copy of any other research the Scot...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence s.2 s.27 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-29
Reference
FOI/202100152730
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence concerning First Minister meetings in August 2020: FOI release

1) For the month of August, a list of any meetings involving the First Minister not listed on the information published here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/ministerial-engagements-travel-andgifts-august-2020/ which was considered to include the discussion of government business. 2) For all of the meetings in Augus...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-12
Reference
FOI/202100134861
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government television advertising budgets: FOI release

1. In the period between April 1st 2019 and March 2020 how much did the Scottish Government pay for all TV advertising and related media buying and planning services for all Government departments. 2. In the period from April 1st 2020 to present, how much had the Scottish Government set aside and paid including work on...

FOI unclear 55 score 58 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.2 s.3
Published
2021-02-18
Reference
FOI/202000110615
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Meetings between the First Minister and Chief Constable of Police Scotland: FOI release

1. How many times has the First Minister met with the present Chief Constable of Police Scotland since his first day in office. Can I have the dates of all meetings. 2. How many times has the Permanent Secretary met with the present Chief Constable of Police Scotland since his first day in office. Can I have the dates...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.2 s.25 4 attachments
Published
2020-11-02
Reference
FOI/202000094721
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Asbestos and Scottish Government estate buildings: EIR release

1. How many buildings for which the Scottish Government are responsible are currently known to contain asbestos? 2. Of these, how many are: i Schools ii Municipal buildings iii Construction or manufacturing sites (historic or active) iv Residential properties 3. In the last three fiscal years, how many operations have ...

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence meetings contracts spending s.2 s.3 s.4 s.5 s.1
Published
2020-09-07
Reference
FOI/202000067783
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Online, digital and radio advertising spend: FOI release

1) The amount that the Scottish Government has spent on -online/digital advertising -Local radio advertising* in each of the last five financial years. 2) how much was spent on local radio advertising during the 6 weeks leading up to the GeneralElection on 1212.19.* 3) A list of the 10 largest recipients of Scottish...

FOI unclear 55 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.2
Published
2020-05-27
Reference
FOI/202000018487
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Website traffic data for www.parentclub.scot since its creation: FOI release

Website traffic data for https://www.parentclub.scot/ since its creation. I would request that the information includes: 1. The number of ‘hits’ the website has had broken down by each financial year from 2015-16 to 2018-19 up to the 23rd January 2019 (a hit = someone clicking onto the site). 2. The number of differe...

FOI unclear 55 score 15 working days correspondence s.2
Published
2019-03-13
Reference
FOI/19/00430
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector