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

Spending on newspaper advertising: FOI release

The amount of money spent by the central Scottish Government in 2020-21 on advertising within newspapers and magazines, both print and online, in total and broken down by the amount spent with each title.

FOI withheld 55 score 17 working days correspondence contracts spending s.33 s.33(1)
Published
2021-05-07
Reference
FOI/202100184019
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Communications relating to vaccine rollout: FOI release

Correspondence (emails, notes, minutes of calls, memos and/or otherwise) from the Scottish Government Communications Team regarding the poll undertaken by Savanta ComRes by The Scotsman on 11 February 2021 between the period of 9 February 2021 to 23 February 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-05
Reference
FOI/202100164031
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

COVID-19 survey gender identity questions: FOI release

"I have been taking the above survey, run on the Scottish Government's behalf by Progressive Research. One of the demographic questions asks what is my 'gender identity', and gives response options pertaining to biological sex (male and female), as well as "other gender identity" and "prefer not to say". Since gender i...

FOI unclear 55 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence s.7
Published
2021-04-29
Reference
FOI/202100173238
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Total advertising spend for 2019-2020: FOI release

Details of the total Scottish government spend on PR and advertising during the last financial year? Do you have provisional figures for the current year?

FOI unclear 50 score 78 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-04-14
Reference
FOI/202000118552
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Digital, product recognition and research expenditure: FOI release

Please detail all above the line advertising spend by the Scottish government in 2020. Please note, I do not need the Media spend, I would like to see how much was spend on developing and producing advertising via external agencies (including advertising agencies, PR agencies, digital agencies and content agencies) in ...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-04-14
Reference
FOI/202100163186
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Total costs of flags: FOI release

The spend on flags for Scottish buildings across: 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence spending
Published
2021-04-12
Reference
FOI/202100162404
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, 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

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs meetings: FOI release

From 1 October 2020 to present: 1. A list of all meetings that Michael Russell has conducted with foreign officials. Including details of the date of the meeting and who was present at the metting. 2. Copies of the minutes from all the above meetings.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.32(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-04-09
Reference
FOI/202100136000
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs correspondence: FOI release

From 29 December 2020 to 5 January 2021: Copies of all emails from/to Michael Russell including the term ‘no deal’. This can be in the subject header, body of the email, attachment to the email and/or otherwise.

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-08
Reference
FOI/202100133649
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Brexit, Public sector

Emails concerning Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, Europe and External Affairs: FOI release

From 22 December 2020 to 29 December 2020: Copies of all emails from/to Michael Russell including the term ‘no deal’. This can be in the subject header, body of the email, attachment to the email and/or otherwise.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.38 s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-07
Reference
FOI/202100133548
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence with Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, Europe and External Affairs including the term ‘no deal’: FOI release

From 15 December 2020 to 22 December 2020: Copies of all emails from/to Michael Russell including the term ‘no deal’. This can be in the subject header, body of the email, attachment to the email and/or otherwise.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.38 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-06
Reference
FOI/202100133526
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Details regarding First Minister's Scottish Government website biography photograph: FOI release

"Who paid for this photograph? Who owns the copyright or licensing rights? It has been used in the recent past on the side of a bus, on a helicopter and in advertising material specifically for political and campaign purposes. Can I please ask whom in the Scottish Government decided it can be used in a publicly funded ...

FOI unclear 50 score 6 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2021-04-01
Reference
FOI/202100168781
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

COVID-19 Visitors to St Andrews House Edinburgh: FOI release

A record of guests/visitors who have visited St Andrews House Edinburgh from 1st December 2020 until the present date- 5th February 2021. Guests/Visitors are defined as people who are not members of government, MSPs or civil servants. Any personal information that can identify someone doesn't have to be included, but a...

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-01
Reference
FOI/202100151568
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Communications relating to drug deaths statistics: FOI release

All emails, letters, minutes of meetings, briefings, hand written notes, records of phone or other conversations and messages on encrypted phone apps between any permutation of the following people - The Public Health Minister, The Cabinet Secretary for health, the First Minister and the Chair of the Drugs death task f...

FOI unclear 75 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-31
Reference
FOI/202100157878
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, 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 regarding Margaret Ferrier between September and October 2020: FOI release

Any communications, correspondence, be it email, text message, whatsapp or of any kind available relating to Margaret Ferrier MP between the Scottish Government Ministers/Special Advisors and people external to the Scottish Government between September 14th and October 14th.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.25 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-26
Reference
FOI/202000118037
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Repair and maintenance works carried out at First Minster's residence: FOI release

Can you please give details of the repair and maintenance works carried out at Bute house (official residence of the first minister) since the 2021 lockdown provisions were announced including but not limited to a detailed breakdown of any repairs and maintenance carried out, the areas of Bute house that have been subj...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending
Published
2021-03-24
Reference
FOI/202100143539
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Outsourced frontline communications staff/press officers: FOI release

1. How many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers have been employed that have been outsourced, In other words, not in-house but external PR/communications supplied by a private company between 2009/10 and 2019/20. If an average number isn't available, pick March as a snapshot. 1a. How much was spent on ou...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence
Published
2021-03-24
Reference
FOI/202100143590
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector, Work and skills

Data relating to press officers: FOI release

Can you please set out how many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers there were in March (snapshot) 2020? How many FTE frontline communications staff/press officers were there in January (snapshot) 2021? What was the cost of employing those staff in 2019/20? What has been the cost of employing these staff ...

FOI unclear 50 score 43 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/202100143566
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

First Minister interview with James Hamilton QC: FOI release

In a recent FOI response, with the reference number: 202100150391 an annex was attached which contained an email from the First Minister’s office that stated the afternoon of 1 February 2021 would be held for a video interview between the First Minister and James Hamilton regarding the Ministerial Code investigation. P...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-16
Reference
FOI/202100159382
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Scottish National Party (SNP) independence taskforce: FOI release

From 10 January 2021 to present: Copies of correspondence (emails, texts, whatsapp messages, briefings, minutes of calls, minutes of meetings and/or otherwise) from and/or to Special Advisors regarding the SNP’s plan to set up an ‘Independence Taskforce’ announced on 17 January 2021 by Keith Brown.

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-15
Reference
FOI/202100140612
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector, Topics

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

Correspondence with Minister for Justice containing the word Trump 2021: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence sent and received by Humza Yousaf between January 1, 2021 and January 12, 2021 containing the following keyword: "Trump".

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202100135747
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Deputy First Minister's appearance on Politics Scotland: FOI release

From 1 January 2020 to present: Copies of all correspondence (emails, texts, whatsapp messages, memos, briefings and/or otherwise) from and/or to Special Advisors regarding John Swinney’s appearance on Politics Scotland on Sunday 10 January 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202100136050
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector