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
59 matching releases

BBC Scotland Debate Night programme: FOI release

Any emails sent from Scottish Government email addresses, between 27 March 2023 and 21 June 2024, containing references to the BBC Scotland Debate Night programme.

FOI released 100 score 14 working days correspondence s.38 4 attachments
Published
2024-09-09
Reference
FOI/202400420005
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Journalist requests for interview with First Minister: FOI release

A list of all requests made by print journalists for a sit-down interview with the First Minister from 29 March - date. You also asked for an indication of the response (i.e. declined or agreed) against each listed request.

FOI released 95 score 17 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-05
Reference
FOI/202400404744
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Ministerial responsibilities assigned to Former Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity: EIR release

1. The official list of Ministerial responsibilities assigned to Lorna Slater MSP, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity at September 2021. 2. The official list of Ministerial responsibilities assigned to Lorna Slater MSP, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity at April 2023...

FOI/EIR released 100 score 12 working days correspondence ministers s.6(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-02
Reference
EIR/202400408234
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Freedom of Information request response times: FOI release

The top 3 slowest FOI responses in each of the last 5 years, including the total length of time it took to respond to each FOI and a short description of the subject of the FOI.

FOI/EIR released 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20
Published
2024-08-27
Reference
FOI/202400422728
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister attending the memorial service for the late Alistair Darling: FOI release

Any electronic or postal correspondence that the Scottish Government holds regarding the First Minister attending the memorial service for the late Alistair Darling on 19 December 2023.

FOI released 100 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.31 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2024-06-05
Reference
FOI/202300390476
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Consultation Good Practice handbook: FOI release

You asked for the consultation best practice handbook.

FOI released 95 score 17 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2024-05-14
Reference
FOI/202300387651
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Photograph of First Minister, and Scottish Green Party Co-Leaders: FOI release

Information relating to a photograph of First Minister Humza Yousaf, Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, as linked here: https://x.com/HumzaYousaf/status/1640418687915106309?s=20.

FOI released 75 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.17
Published
2024-04-18
Reference
FOI/202400391510
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Special Adviser expenses in past 5 years: FOI release

How many Special Advisers were employed in each of the past five years and what was the total salary cost in each year? What was the total amount claimed in expenses by Special Advisers in each of the past five years broken down by (a) travel, (b) hotel accommodation and (c) food & drink. What was the cost, mode of tra...

FOI released 100 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers contracts spending s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-12
Reference
FOI/202300373199
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
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

Cabinet meetings since the new Lord Advocate took up her post: FOI release

Please provide the dates of all Cabinet meetings since the new Lord Advocate took up her post, as well as stating which of these Cabinet meetings was attended by the new Lord Advocate.

FOI released 70 score 13 working days correspondence meetings
Published
2023-10-31
Reference
202300355574
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government ministers and Kevin Pringle: FOI release

You asked for any correspondence between Scottish Government ministers [or Scottish Government special advisers] and the recently appointed head of communications and strategic political adviser, Kevin Pringle, from 30 March 2023 to present.

FOI released 100 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-12
Reference
202300360953
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Progress of the Gender Recognition Reform Bill: FOI release

I understand there was a cabinet meeting in January 2022 where the decision to progress the Gender Recognition Reform Bill was taken. Could you please provide the date, time and names of MSPs present at this meeting.

FOI released 70 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2023-09-11
Reference
202300345855
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Media advertising expenditure on COVID-19 and vaccination advice: FOI release

"The amount of expenditure that the Scottish Government has spent during the pandemic on media advertising, be that television, radio, printed press including postal leaflets and online to advise the public about Covid 19 and vaccinations.”

FOI released 75 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.20
Published
2022-01-20
Reference
FOI/202100258267
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Total spend on covid-19 advertising: FOI release

How much has the Scottish Government spent on Covid advertising in 2020 and so far in 2021?

FOI released 75 score 17 working days correspondence spending s.20
Published
2021-10-08
Reference
FOI/202100233012
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Duration of social media Covid-19 advertisement campaigns: FOI release

Further to FOI/202100195521 on social media spending, information relating to the precise timings that each of these ads was purchased for; to clarify that it's when the ad was first purchased and paid for, and the duration for which the ad was supposed to run for on the respective social media network.

FOI released 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-06-29
Reference
FOI/202100207265
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Register of Interests held by the Scottish Government: FOI release

You asked: "Please supply copies of the Register of Interests held by the Scottish Government for each of the current non-executive and deputy non-executive directors of the Scottish Government. For each of the above people, please also supply details of any expenses claimed in the last 12 months in connection with t...

FOI released 95 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-11
Reference
FOI/202000111726
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial car journeys: FOI release

i) How many journeys have been carried out in ministerial cars which have not installed protective screens? ii) What was the date of each journey? iii) What was the duration of each journey? iv) What was the reason for each journey? You asked for this information to be broken down (excluding the First Minister) per Cab...

FOI released 75 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2020-07-30
Reference
FOI/202000049288
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

St Andrews House Light up events: FOI release

Copy of the plans for lighting up St Andrew’s House on particular dates during 2020 after 17 May, as they stood at 17 May. How the Scottish Government decides what events to mark like this and whether it has turned down any suggestion since 2015, and if so for what events. Copy of the Light Up events each year for 2015...

FOI released 100 score 18 working days correspondence s.17(1) 4 attachments
Published
2020-07-22
Reference
FOI/202000044662
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government's ministerial vehicle fleet breakdown: FOI release

You asked for the total number of vehicles in the Government's ministerial fleet broken down by make, model, fuel type and mileage, over the last 3 financial years.

FOI released 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2020-04-06
Reference
FOI/202000019807
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) funding correspondence: FOI release

You asked for all internal Scottish Government correspondence on the subject of or relating to the announcement in the following news release: https://news.gov.scot/news/gbp-60m-for-michelin-scotland-innovation-parc This should include but not be limited to ministers, officials, special advisers and press/comms staff.

FOI released 95 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments
Published
2020-01-13
Reference
FOI/19/02599
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Various questions relating to the Government Car Service (Scotland): FOI release

You asked for specific information relating to the Government Car Service (Scotland) fleet: 1. The size of the current Government Car Service (Scotland) fleet. 2. A breakdown of the vehicle models. 3. When each vehicle was delivered to the Government Car Service (Scotland). 4. The cost to maintain the fleet in the pas...

FOI released 75 score 16 working days correspondence spending s.3 s.5
Published
2019-12-02
Reference
FOI/201900006129
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government vehicle purchases: FOI release

You asked us to tell you how much the ministers department has spent on new vehicles since the start of April 2018 and which cars, make and model and how much on each.

FOI released 70 score 14 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending
Published
2019-12-02
Reference
FOI/201900006210
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector, Transport

Wardrobe and appearance expenditure of the FM: FOI release

I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act to request the following information. If the information can be provided faster than 20 days, please do so. Any expenses claims by Nicola Sturgeon for clothes, shoes or beauty treatments over the last five years. Please include at least the following informatio...

FOI released 100 score 15 working days correspondence ministers s.20 4 attachments
Published
2019-11-11
Reference
201900005369
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector