Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,792releases indexed
39,278attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,073partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,073 unclear 7,195 not held 3,052 released 1,533 already published 668 cost limit 605 clarification 348 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4905 s.20 4252 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3455 s.30 2866 s.17(1) 2763 s.25(1) 2372 s.10(4) 1971 s.11(2) 1559 s.29(1) 1168 s.2 1152 s.3 903

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 1,275 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 961 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 919 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 859 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 725 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 631 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
1,275 matching releases

Affidavit in relation to the Hamilton Report: FOI release

From the legal advice released in October 2024 following SIC decision notice 193/2024 on page 87: “An affidavit from [redacted – section 38(1)(b)] as former head of the Secretariat about the arrangements was provided to OSIC as additional evidence.” 1) I request the above affidavit, as well any other affidavits provi...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.36(1) s.14(2) s.14 s.14O s.17(1)
Published
2026-02-04
Reference
FOI/202500491548
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Scottish Government 'A Fresh Start with Independence' publication costs and access statistics: FOI release

How many times has the publication 'A Fresh Start with Independence' been downloaded since it's launch. You asked if this could be broken down: by day country from which is was accessed You also asked if we could provide the overall costs involved in producing the document, including any printing and design costs, or...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 13 working days correspondence spending s.8 s.27(1) s.17(1)
Published
2026-02-04
Reference
FOI/202500492880
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Classification and ancillary costs of former First Minister's travel to Qatar: FOI release

I am requesting information regarding the decision-making process, classification, and public expenditure related to trips undertaken by the former First Minister, Humza Yousaf, to Qatar between 29 March 2023 and 7 May 2024. Please provide: 1. Trip Classification Protocol: Any internal correspondence, briefing notes,...

FOI not held 45 score 12 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.39 s.30 s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2026-02-03
Reference
FOI/202500496383
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Viva Engage posts which reference FOI timeliness during August 2025: FOI release

1. ALL posts on Viva Engage during August which reference FOI timeliness 2. ALL comments under that post 3. ALL INTERNAL and EXTERNAL emails sent to AND from the FOI Unit which relate to this concern

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-03
Reference
FOI/202500490388
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Viva Engage posts regarding office equipment, technology setup & hybrid working from the last 6 months: FOI release

1. ALL posts on Viva Engage from the past six months which relate to OFFICE EQUIPMENT and TECHNOLOGY SET UP and HYBRID WORKING FEATURES 2. ALL comments under those posts

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-03
Reference
FOI/202500490442
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

PCS and FDA union correspondence regarding civil service working: FOI release

The following information; “1. Please provide all correspondence, unredacted, relating to the Scottish Government’s correspondence with the PCS union, and the FDA unions in relation to the hybrid working policy. 2. Please include all correspondence between unions and Scottish Government officials relating to the equa...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-03
Reference
FOI/202500490137
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Documentation which mentions former First Minister Chief of Staff and former Special Adviser: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government that mentions Liz Lloyd, or is from/to her, including correspondence (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, or briefings, from the last three months? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government that mentions Kev...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-02
Reference
FOI/202500456581
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence discussing the contents of the post/tweet regarding Pensions following Independence: FOI release

You asked some questions about the following post/tweet on X/Twitter: https://x.com/scotgov/status/1980982811306655836?s=46&t=y9v1mXDn2DQJqjCpgZcKXg In answers where the person or persons concerned cannot be named, that we state their positions. You have asked the questions below. (1.) Who composed the post/tweet? ...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-02
Reference
FOI/202500490487
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Correspondence to Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care from members of the public about the NHS: FOI release

I am writing to request the following information under FOI: Any emails received by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care from members of the public about the NHS between 1 September 2025 and 30 September 2025

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-02
Reference
FOI/202500490543
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Interests of independent advisers on Scottish Ministerial Code: FOI release

Please supply all items of information in the list of professional roles supplied to the First Minister by the independent advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code in line with their terms of reference; all information in any 'relevant changes' notified by any adviser to the First Minister; all information notified by...

FOI not held 70 score 7 working days correspondence ministers s.17 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-02
Reference
FOI/202500493373
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Release of legally privileged information and use of WhatsApp on Scottish Government phones: FOI release

1. Could you provide how many occasions in the last two years that the Scottish Government has been forced to publicly release legally privileged information, and include what this info was and why it had to be released? 2. Could you supply how many incidents have been recorded of government staff, officials or minist...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-02
Reference
FOI/202500491146
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Structure of the Education and Justice department and its role within the Scottish Government: FOI release

In your email, you requested the following information: Information regarding DG Education and Justice Division and Team titles. A summary of the roles of the teams within DG Education and Skills.

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-28
Reference
FOI/202500489723
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Palestine flag costs and communications: FOI release

1) The amount of money spent on Palestine flags by the Scottish Government since January 1, 2025, and the number purchased. 2) Any internal communications including briefings for ministers on the decision to raise the Palestine flag outside government buildings from the same date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.38 s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-28
Reference
FOI/202500490123
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Corporate News article regarding New hybrid working policy: FOI release

Under The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, I request sight of: Corporate News article (published 28th August 2025): New hybrid working policy ALL comments under the article I politely request receipt of this request.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2026-01-28
Reference
FOI/202500490000
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Comments on published corporate news article 'One year of Oracle Cloud': FOI release

Corporate News article (published 16th October 2025): One year of using Oracle Cloud ALL comments under the article

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-27
Reference
FOI/202500489952
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Details of Directorates under the Director General Economy: FOI release

The name of all directorates under DG Economy, all divisions that sit within those directorates, all teams that sit within those divisions and a summary of the roles of those teams. Such as how they are listed under the staff directory on the Scottish Government Saltire page.

FOI released 95 score 13 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-26
Reference
FOI/202500489851
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Posts on Viva Engage relating to the Victoria Quay Nursery: FOI release

1. ALL posts on Viva Engage from the past six months which relate to the VICTORIA QUAY NURSERY 2. ALL comments under those posts

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-26
Reference
FOI/202500490390
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Posts on Viva Engage which relate to 2025 - 2026 Pay Awards: FOI release

1. ALL posts on Viva Engage from the past six months which relate to 2025 2026 PAY AWARD 2. ALL comments under those posts

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-26
Reference
FOI/202500490409
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Freedom of Information (FOI) requests refused under Section 12 statistics: FOI release

Could you supply the number of FOI requests wholly or partially refused under Section 12 of FOISA for financial years 2020/2021 to 2024/2025, broken down by year.

FOI unclear 55 score 12 working days correspondence s.12
Published
2026-01-21
Reference
FOI/202500490553
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost of raising of Palestinian flag on Scottish Government buildings: FOI relase

I requested to know who ordered the flag to be flown, especially with anniversary of 7th October pogrom fast approaching. What was the cost of the flag and where was it purchased from and from which funds or budget? Was any risk assessment performed to ascertain whether the flag could damage Scotland’s reputation, up...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.33(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-21
Reference
FOI/202500484830
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Diary events for Minister for Parliamentary Business on 18th September 2025: FOI release

The reasons for Jamie Hepburn MSP’s non-attendance at First Minister’s Questions on 18 September 2025. Please provide details of any meetings, events, or other commitments scheduled during that period. Whether Jamie Hepburn MSP was present in the Scottish Parliament at any point on 18 September 2025, and whether he was...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-21
Reference
FOI/202500485183
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Meetings held between Scottish Government ministers and the Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP): FOI release

1. All correspondence between Scottish Government Ministers and their special advisers and Keith Brown MSP. This should include all email correspondence with and from his MSP email, SNP email and any other email accounts used by Keith Brown since 6 May 2025. 2. All meetings (including virtual) Keith Brown MSP has atte...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500487575
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding editing First Minister’s media release after publication: FOI release

This request relates to the following news release: https://www.gov.scot/news/challenging-poverty-with-family-friendly-policies/ When first published on 6th October 2025, the above news release included the following statement: The cost-of-living guarantee: Lower income tax than in the rest of the UK for the majori...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488097
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector