Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

11,099releases indexed
19,072attachments found
28.7avg calendar days
4,403partially withheld
2023-10-02oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 4,403 unclear 3,109 not held 1,663 released 816 already published 409 cost limit 376 clarification 166 withheld 123 transferred 34

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 2824 s.20 2437 s.34(1) 2118 s.39(2) 1920 s.30 1721 s.17(1) 1465 s.25(1) 1326 s.10(4) 1159 s.11(2) 933 s.29(1) 703 s.2 586 s.6(1) 478

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 743 releases · 28.1 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 632 releases · 29.1 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 437 releases · 29.3 avg days Marine Directorate 406 releases · 26.4 avg days Population Health Directorate 404 releases · 25.8 avg days Environment and Forestry Directorate 354 releases · 34.0 avg days Economic Development Directorate 334 releases · 41.5 avg days People Directorate 332 releases · 23.9 avg days
Clear
29 matching releases

Direct communication between the First Minister and Permanent Secretary and their associated offices: FOI Review

Original Request 202600508787 Under FOI, I would like to request all documentation exchanged between the (1) First Minister and his office, and (2) Joe griffin and his office from 01 December to the date of this FOI. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not where either party have been copied to a chain of emails. Thi...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-14
Reference
FOI/202600513029 - Review of 202600508787
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Staff feedback on election guidance: FOI release

1) Any correspondence including Teams messages, emails, or intranet posts or comments on or to the Election 2026 Internal Readiness Project Board. 2) Any actions note, agendas, meeting minutes, or documents prepared for or distributed by the board, including any summaries of findings or survey results. 3) Any respons...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings spending s.3 s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-12
Reference
FOI/202600509907
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Direct communication between the First Minister and Permanent Secretary and their associated offices: FOI release

Under FOI, I would like to request all documentation exchanged between the (1) First Minister and his office, and (2) Joe griffin and his office from 01 December to the date of this FOI. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not where either party have been copied to a chain of emails. This is specifically about direct ...

FOI cost limit 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-28
Reference
FOI/202600508787
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence and activity involving Special Adviser emails: FOI release

1. Since the start of 2025, please provide a list of the FOI's which have been subject to consideration by the FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot email address and/or Special Adviser emails. 2. Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot and the FOI Unit since January 1, 2025. 3. Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot a...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.2 s.12 s.27(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-03-30
Reference
FOI/202600501632
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Hybrid working policy for Core Civil Servants meeting notes: FOI release

The following information; Please provide all meeting notes and of any internal discussions between Scottish government officials regarding the updated hybrid working policy for core civil servants. Please also provide meeting notes between government officials and trade unions PCS and the FDA in relation to the polic...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-10
Reference
FOI/202500490187
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Home and hybrid working policies for Scottish Government staff: FOI release

"Please provide any documents and correspondence, including emails, relating to guidance on home working policies for civil servants." "Please ensure these include internal changes and documents published and discussions with trade unions.”

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.25(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2025-10-30
Reference
FOI/202500484504
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Engagements held in Bute House: FOI release

Any and all engagements hosted in Bute House between 5th to 9th May 2025. The First Ministers diary of engagements for the week of 5th to 9th May 2025. Any and all communication from or to the First Minister for the week of 5th to 9th May 2025. A list of attendees, visitors or other persons signed into Bute House for t...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.12 s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2025-09-23
Reference
FOI/202500466941
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Government internal writing style guide: FOI release

A copy of the Scottish Government’s internal style guide for use by civil servants. If every directorate has their own, or if there are different style guides for different uses e.g. policy and communications, then please share a copy of each. To clarify, by style guide I am referring to a document that gives a set of...

FOI cost limit 70 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.12 4 attachments
Published
2025-09-23
Reference
FOI/202500468759
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Parliamentary written question queries: FOI release

(2) Between 1 January 2025 and present date, on how many occasions, broken down by Scottish Government Minister/Cabinet Secretary, has a Scottish Government Minister or Cabinet Secretary, when presented with a draft response to a parliamentary written question, responded with any other decision than approving that draf...

FOI cost limit 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.12 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-23
Reference
FOI/202500464097
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Data for number of Freedom of Information requests withdrawn and re-submitted: FOI release

I received a highly unusual request from a Scottish Government official asking for a call regarding my request, in which I was asked to withdraw and re-submit my request because I would not receive the request within the statutory deadline. I have never been asked this before and do not believe it is proper practice, s...

FOI cost limit 40 score 19 working days correspondence spending
Published
2025-04-23
Reference
FOI/202500450763
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice given to the Scottish Government/ministers in reference to The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI Review

Original request - 202300390057 All legal advice given to the Scottish Government/ministers in reference to the court case known as The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23). This includes legal advice given in relation to the decision to appeal, as well as advice i...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.21(4) s.60 s.12
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202400445371 review of 202300390057
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Criteria for responding to FOI requests: FOI release

1) It is a requirement that SPADs and/or the FM's chief of staff clear FOI responses from civil servants in the FOI unit? 2) How many FOIs were received by the Scottish Government in 2024, and how many of these were cleared by SPADs and/or FM's chief of staff before release? 3) What is the purpose of the following em...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.3 s.12 s.25(1) s.5
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202500447375
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Communications mentioning specific MSPs: FOI release

All mentions of 22 MSPs in Scottish Government documents and communications since the 1st January.

FOI cost limit 45 score 18 working days correspondence briefings spending s.12
Published
2024-10-24
Reference
FOI/202400432958
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government documents mentioning specified MSPs: FOI release

All mentions of 30 MSPs in Scottish Government documents and communications since the 1st January.

FOI cost limit 45 score 16 working days correspondence briefings spending s.12
Published
2024-10-22
Reference
FOI/202400432513
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost of travel and accommodation for the First Minister’s visit to Germany: FOI release

1. Total cost of travel and accommodation for the full duration of FM’s visit to Germany over the weekend of Friday 14 June. 2. Correspondence between private office and officials around the visit planning, agenda etc. 3. Correspondence between private office, officials and stakeholders which FM met including invites...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.4 s.39(1) s.12
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400419226
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Costs relating to John Swinney's trip to Germany: FOI release

A breakdown of costs relating to John Siwnney's [sic] trip to Germany in June 2024. A full list of SG staff in attendance and associated costs. Any correspondence held by the Government in relation to the trip. Notes of the meeting that took place between Mr Swinney and the Bavarian Minister of State for Europe and ...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.39(1) s.12 s.32(1) s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400419227
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Angela Constance's Oslo trip and Angus Robertson's Tartan Week trip: FOI release

The full costs of Angela Constance's trip to Oslo in March, including how many officials she took with her, their expenses, and cost of hotels/travel there, including the name of the hotel she stayed in. The full itinerary from her time in Oslo, and all minutes/notes from meetings she held there. All correspondence sen...

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400412095
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Stewart Milne Group housebuilders, greyhound ban, holiday homes council tax, alcohol levy and Middle East Eye interview: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent about Stewart Milne Group housebuilders, including internally, briefings and minutes from any meetings about the company, from between November 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. All briefings and analysis produced by or for the Scottish Government about the ban on greyhound ra...

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 73 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400402718
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Economy, Housing, International, +1 more … Public sector

Correspondence regarding Scottish Golf Open and Ministerial communications: FOI release

1. All correspondence, including internal correspondence, between the Scottish Government and organisers of the Scottish Golf Open about ministerial appearances at the event between July 13 and 16. 2. All briefings for ministers prepared for the event in question one, plus all minutes from meetings held there and the ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.29(1) s.38(1) s.12 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-14
Reference
FOI/202300381827
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FOI requests rejected due to exceeding the cost limit and Section 29(1)(a) exemption: FOI release

1) the number of FOI requests made to the Scottish Government and its agencies which have been rejected due to exceeding the cost limit of £600 2) the number of FOI requests made to the Scottish Government and its agencies which have been rejected under the guise of the application of the Section 29(1)(a) exemption.

FOI cost limit 45 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.29(1)
Published
2024-04-30
Reference
FOI/202400407491
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Lists of ministers' interests and actions taken to avoid conflicts in the 2007-2011 parliament: FOI release

All the information in all the lists of interests (including spouse, partner and family interests) provided by each minister serving in the Scottish Government upon their appointment, including the information provided by the First Minister; Any confirmation from ministers, at the time of their appointment, as to wheth...

FOI cost limit 70 score 47 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.11 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-03
Reference
202300346532
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

External legal firms: FOI release

Can I ask how much the Scottish Government has spent on external legal firms to advise and handle FoI inquiries for each year from 2012 to 2022 an so far in 2023. Can you in your answer articulate for each year which legal firms have benefitted and how much each legal firm has received. Can you explain what work the ex...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.12
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
FOI/202300377404
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Government support for the former First Minister after they leave office: FOI release

What government support does the former First Minister receive after they leave office? Full list of these, including cost and whether Nicola Sturgeon accepted it. Do they have access to any sort of car service after they leave office? If so, what service is this and how much does it cost? All correspondence received a...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.12
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300360163
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Preparation of First Minister resignation: FOI release

How much has it cost the Scottish Government to move Nicola Sturgeon and her belongings out of Bute House in anticipation of the new First Minister moving in? Breakdown of these costs. Supply Nicola Sturgeon's diary of events in March up until she leaves her role as First Minister. Any correspondence (including emails,...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending whatsapp s.12
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300346137
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector