Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,864releases indexed
39,478attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,113partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-06-12newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,113 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4931 s.20 4280 s.34(1) 3589 s.39(2) 3481 s.30 2878 s.17(1) 2774 s.25(1) 2381 s.10(4) 1987 s.11(2) 1571 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1158 s.3 908

Timeline

2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,279 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 967 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 923 releases · 31.0 avg days Learning Directorate 861 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 729 releases · 39.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 633 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
1,279 matching releases

Costs of Scottish Government advertising campaigns: FOI release

"Could you please notify me as to how much the Scottish government has paid for all of their advertisements in the press, radio and television? Of particular interest would be the total cost that the Scottish Government has paid to Scottish Television for this purpose." Following clarification, you requested “I would b...

FOI withheld 55 score 13 working days correspondence contracts spending s.33 s.33(1)
Published
2021-12-22
Reference
FOI/202100255054
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Process for on-boarding a new Ministerial appointment: FOI release

Could you please set out the process followed when a new government minister is appointed? I would like to know the following: 1. Who contacts the newly nominated minister to invite them to Bute House, how they are contacted and when they are contacted 2. What information is provided to the newly nominated minister ahe...

FOI unclear 55 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.4 s.17(1)
Published
2021-12-21
Reference
FOI/202100249378
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Media campaign fronted by Janey Godley: FOI release

With reference to the recent media campaign fronted by Janey Godley (JG), I am seeking the following information: (1) Who initially proposed JG to front the campaign? (2) All internal communications proposing and discussing the proposal for JG to front the campaign. (3) All communications with the creative services age...

FOI not held 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.5 s.30 4 attachments
Published
2021-12-21
Reference
FOI/202100248293
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Scottish Government social media accounts: FOI release

1. Who manages the social media pages on behalf of the Scottish Government? 2. Are individual people if so, how many and in addition, namely a subject with the name Richard L Russel or Richard Russell excluded from viewing such pages? If so why so? 3. During the pandemic did the Scottish Government take all reasonable ...

FOI unclear 55 score 98 working days over deadline correspondence s.1 s.3 s.4
Published
2021-12-17
Reference
FOI/202100221455
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Communications including the words 'Janey Godley' between 13th August to 3rd September 2021: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications that include the words ‘Janey Godley’ between 13 August 2021 and 3 September 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 50 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.30 4 attachments
Published
2021-12-16
Reference
FOI/202100236902
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Information regarding Janey Godley appearance on Covid-19 advert: FOI release

1. An overview of the procurement process used for this communications campaign. 2. All communications between officials in regards to the selection process in which Ms Godley was identified as the face of this campaign (or indeed any other), including any concerns raised at any level within the Scottish Government as ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 51 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.3 s.30 4 attachments
Published
2021-12-16
Reference
FOI/202100237091
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Appointment of Janey Godley in recent Covid-19 advertisement campaign: FOI release

1. All communications (email, telephone, written) relating to the appointment and arrangement of Janey Godley to the recent NHSS marketing campaign. 2. How much Janey Godley was compensated for said campaign.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 49 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.30 4 attachments
Published
2021-12-16
Reference
FOI/202100238371
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

NHS Scotland Covid-19 advertisement campaign: FOI release

Minutes of meetings and discussions, and relevant emails, which concern the process for procuring the services of Ms Godley. Specifically, please provide documentation, or appropriate commentary, to cover: 1. How Ms Godley was selected - what process was used, and over what timeframe. 2. Whether other options, e.g. oth...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 70 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.30 4 attachments
Published
2021-12-16
Reference
FOI/202100238627
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Creative agencies used by Scottish Government: FOI release

1. Please list the creative services agencies used by the government during 2021. 2. A list of all appointments made under each agreement during 2021 - detailing the creative services agency used, campaign name, the lead artist / provider and agreed fee. The following questions relate solely to the creative service age...

FOI not held 45 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.3
Published
2021-12-14
Reference
FOI/202100248294
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Business dealings with Janey Godley: FOI review

Your request, reference 202100237623 You asked for information in relation to the Scottish Government's business dealings with the comedian Janey Godley, including; A copy of all contracts and agreements. A list of all payments of (a) fees and (b) expenses, by date. A copy of all communications with JG or her agent. F...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-12-08
Reference
FOI/202100248243 review of 202100237623
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Engagement with Republic of Media: FOI release

I would like to submit a Freedom of Information Request on the government’s engagement with Republic of Media. I would like a record of all government spending on contracts with Republic of Media up to the present as well as a breakdown of these costs and which projects they were spent on. I would also like a full list...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-15
Reference
FOI/202100230217
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Information pertaining to Let's Stop the Spike media campaign: FOI release

1. A full account of costs relating to the "Let's Stop the Spike" media campaign ran by the Scottish Government, specifically the two videos published on the Scottish Government's YouTube channel titled: "Take Two Tests Every Week" "Stop the Spike" 2. Copies of the contracts or tenders in which any media companies se...

FOI not held 45 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.3 s.4 s.7 s.33 s.33(1)
Published
2021-11-08
Reference
FOI/202100237582
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Marketing spend 2019-2021: FOI release

How much money the Scottish government has paid to external PR companies in the years 2020 and 2021 to date and the nature of the campaigns that they have been employed to undertake directly relating to enhancing the image of the Scottish government.

FOI unclear 50 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-11-05
Reference
FOI/202100244156
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Number of full time equivalent (FTE) frontline media roles: FOI release

"May I have updated information pertaining to the number of FTE (Full time equivalent) frontline media roles currently active in the Scottish Government? The previous statement from July was that there were 54.9 FTE jobs."

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence
Published
2021-11-04
Reference
FOI/202100242442
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector, Work and skills

Information regarding Janey Godley appearance on Covid-19 advert: FOI release

1. Whether Scottish Government funds were used to pay Ms Godley? 2. If payment was taken out of the bike SNP party funds? 3. Will Ms Godley be reported to the police for hate crime?

FOI unclear 50 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending
Published
2021-11-01
Reference
FOI/202100238775
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Total spend of Covid-19 advertising: FOI release

You asked for the cost of all adverts about the coronavirus that are on TV and radio every day and how much is it costing for all these adverts to be shown daily especially the latest advert by Janey Godley

FOI unclear 50 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-11-01
Reference
FOI/202100237983
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Business dealings with Janey Godley: FOI release

You asked for information in relation to the Scottish Government's business dealings with the comedian Janey Godley, including: A copy of all contracts and agreements. A list of all payments of (a) fees and (b) expenses, by date. A copy of all communications with JG or her agent. For each contract / agreement, a copy ...

FOI unclear 50 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending
Published
2021-11-01
Reference
FOI/202100237623
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Janey Godley's appearance in Coronavirus advert : FOI release

How much Janey Godley was paid to star in the covid information adverts by the Scottish Government?

FOI unclear 50 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-10-29
Reference
FOI/202100236917
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Permanent Secretary blog post on internal intranet: FOI release

Under FoI could you please send me a blog post on Saltire written by Leslie Evans about the Black Lives Matter movement, and include all comments which were left by staff in response to this. The post I am referring to was referenced by Ms Evans in a Q&A session with staff on July 23. Ms Evans said: "I was equally thou...

FOI not held 70 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence s.17(1) s.39(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-10-20
Reference
FOI/202100226047
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Cost relating to Ministerial roles for Green MSPs: FOI release

It is about the SNP Green Coalition and the cost to the British Taxpayer. It would be normal have two jobs out when two jobs are added to the costs of government but it seems in this case two jobs have been added …. Which adds to the costs of government. So my simple questions are 1 What is the total costs of adding tw...

FOI unclear 50 score 10 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2021-10-19
Reference
FOI/202100235571
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Saltire comments regarding pronouns intranet poll: FOI release

I understand there was a poll run recently on the Scottish Government's Saltire intranet service about the use of pronouns on email signatures. The poll I am referring to is mentioned in this FOI response: https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202100210730/. Under FoI, could you please provide copies of all comments wh...

FOI not held 70 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence s.17(1) s.39(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-10-18
Reference
FOI/202100225976
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Budgeted cost of Patrick Harvie MSP and Lorna Slater MSP: FOI release

What is the budgeted cost of Patrick Harvie MSP and Lorna Slater MSP, in their Ministerial roles. Specifically broken down by: Additional Government salary and pension Extra staff costs including salaries and pension Additional administrative costs Ancillary running costs Expenses including travel and accommodation

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2021-10-14
Reference
FOI/202100235109
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish Government use of public relations and media firms: FOI release

“In excel spreadsheet form, please list any public relations, communications, media consultancy or lobbying firms hired by your organisation in the last five years: Please provide: The name of the firm (or individual/freelancer) The contract number The start and end date of each contract The amount of money paid to ea...

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence contracts spending s.25 s.27(1) s.12 14 attachments
Published
2021-10-13
Reference
FOI/202100232978
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial briefings provided between 18th May 2021 and 2nd June 2021: FOI release

All briefings provided to the new Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, the Minister for Children and Young People and the Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training between 18th May 2021 and 2nd June 2021.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 74 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.38(1)
Published
2021-10-11
Reference
FOI/202100208478
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Education, 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