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
47 matching releases

Transmission charges in an independent Scotland query: EIR release

Speaking at FMQs on 22nd January 2026, John Swinney said this: “Emma Roddick raises significant concerns about the West of Orkney wind farm that have been raised by the developer. It is a development that would bring enormous benefit to the people of Scotland, but it is being put in jeopardy because of the disproporti...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2026-05-13
Reference
EIR/202600503474
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Energy, Topics

Renewable Energy costs in A Fresh Start with Independence: EIR release

A Fresh Start with Independence, published on 8th October 2025, includes the following remark: “The Scottish Government would work to ensure any lower cost of renewables is passed through to customers” The Scottish Government may be aware that renewables with higher costs also exist, and are particularly prevalent in ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500488967
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Statement made regarding "lower energy bills" in the publication 'A Fresh Start with Independence': EIR release

A Fresh Start with Independence, published on 8th October 2025, includes the following remark: “being in charge of Scotland's energy resources would enable us to lower energy bills” The paper does not explain how energy bills would be lowered, and provides no evidence for why this would be possible. If the Scottish Go...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2026-01-26
Reference
FOI/202500488970
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

Grid infrastructure funding: EIR release

A Fresh Start with Independence, published on 8th October 2025, does not explain who the Scottish Government believes would pay for grid infrastructure inside Scotland after independence. Is the Scottish Government’s position that Scottish bill payers would pay for the grid in an independent Scotland, or does it believ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2026-01-26
Reference
FOI/202500489718
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Potential electoral reform for Holyrood elections: FOI release

Any policy documents, statements, manifestos, meeting minutes, briefings or correspondence indicating the position of the Scottish Government and/or the SNP or Scottish Greens on potential electoral reform for Holyrood elections. Details of any internal review, analysis or research carried out by the Scottish Governme...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.12 s.1(2) s.5 s.29(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 6 attachments
Published
2024-08-14
Reference
FOI/202300381562
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Building a New Scotland publication: EIR release

On 17th October, the Scottish Government published Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence. It included this statement: “With full powers, an independent Scotland could ensure the lower cost of renewables is passed through to customers, with the price of electricity more accurately reflecting our...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10 s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-13
Reference
FOI/202300378553
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Meeting between the Prince of Wales and the First Minister: EIR release

You asked a number of questions relating to a meeting which took place between the Prince of Wales and the First Minister, the Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on 23 June 2015. As the information you have requested is ‘environmental information’ for the purposes of the Environmental Informati...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 4 attachments
Published
2024-03-19
Reference
202200301450
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

David Eiser and Mairi Spowage of the Fraser of Allander Institute: FOI release

Any correspondence, meeting minutes, briefings or notes, between the Scottish Government and David Eiser and Mairi Spowage of the Fraser of Allander Institute, relating to their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper, as referenced in the FOI response r...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-12
Reference
202200331351
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Input of Mark Blyth to the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper - correspondence request: FOI release

Any correspondence, meeting minutes, briefings or notes, between the Scottish Government and Mark Blyth, relating to their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper, as referenced in the FOI response reference 202200325598.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-18
Reference
202200331344
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Integrated Single Electricity Market in Ireland analysis and correspondence: EIR release

Scottish Government analysis and correspondence (including between Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and external parties), 6th May 2021 - date, on the subject of the Integrated Single Electricity Market in Ireland, in particular the lessons from this market for how the electricity market might function in a...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-17
Reference
202300359032
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost of First Minister's Christmas card and staff members working on independence referendum: FOI release

How much of taxpayers' money was used to print the FM’s Christmas card this year? How much of taxpayers' money was spent on the 29 civil servants' wages that were working on the Independence Referendum and what they are being re employed to work on now?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-29
Reference
202200334524
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Fixed penalty notices: FOI release

In your email, you requested the following information: I am interested in the decision to include Fixed Notice Penalties (FPNs) as a penalty for breaching the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, and the decisionmaking process behind this. Please provide copies of any correspon...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings s.20 s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200307546
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

David Lonsdale and Ewan MacDonald-Russell of the Scottish Retail Consortium, relating to their input in Building a New Scotland: FOI release

Any correspondence, meeting minutes, briefings or notes, between the Scottish Government and David Lonsdale and Ewan MacDonald-Russell of the Scottish Retail Consortium, relating to their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper, as referenced in the FOI ...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200331354
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Laptops and bicycles pledge & funds for legal challenge to Court of Appeal: FOI release

The provision of laptops and bicycles would be offered once you were re-elected. Many months later this has not transpired. Can you confirm as to why this manifesto promise has not been followed through? Also when is this likely to happen? The Court of Appeal declined the SNPs appeal. How much did this legal challenge ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200332970
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper: FOI release

Any correspondence, meeting minutes, briefings or notes, between the Scottish Government and Elaine Lorimer of Revenue Scotland, relating to their input in the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper, as referenced in the FOI response reference 202200325598.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200331391
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Independence prospectus meetings, minutes, notes and diary entries: FOI release

A list of any meetings held by the Minister for Independence regarding the independence prospectus papers, since his appointment on March 29. Any minutes or briefing notes on the above. Diary entries for the minister's first week in office.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.23 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-22
Reference
202300358434
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost to tax payer of Scottish independence UK Supreme Court case: FOI release

The amount of tax payer money that has been spent by the Scottish Government on the recent Court case in the UK Supreme Court to rule on the possibility of Scotland holding another Independence referendum.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 8 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-16
Reference
202200331746
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Building a New Scotland white papers: FOI release

In relation to the series of white papers being prepared by the Scottish Government under the title ‘Building a New Scotland’: The expected publication date of future releases, the number of papers expected still to be released and which topics they will focus on How many meetings have been held to discuss the content...

FOI cost limit 70 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.12 s.30 s.27(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-16
Reference
202200328230
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Coronation of King Charles: FOI release

All correspondence, notes and information relating to the coronation of King Charles in May 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence s.28(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.20 6 attachments
Published
2023-11-15
Reference
202200332147
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and World Economic Forum etc between 1 January 2020 and 22 December 2021: FOI release

All communications (electronic or otherwise) during the period 1 January 2020 and 22 December 2021 between The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, and the following: The World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates The Open Society Foundations George Soros

FOI partially withheld 90 score 72 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.25(1) s.20 6 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202100267432
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government policy on publishing FOI responses: FOI release

What is the Scottish Government policy on publishing FOI responses? Please send any written guidance or documents outlining the procedure. How many FOI responses have been issued so far in calendar year 2023 and of those how many have been published on the Scottish Government website? Please give a reason why unpubl...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-11
Reference
202300363939
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Monthly headcount in the Constitutional Futures Division: FOI release

A breakdown of the monthly headcount in the Constitutional Futures Division for each month from July 2022 to June 2023. For each month, please also confirm how many staff were employed in the division at each pay grade level and also what the total wage cost of the division was for each month.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-10
Reference
202300360672
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence mentioning the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW): FOI release

Please provide any Scottish Government documents or correspondence involving the Constitutional Futures Division and mentioning the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), 1st May 2021 - date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.28(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-10
Reference
202300362701
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Breakdown of FOI reviews submitted to Scottish Government: FOI release

1) For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI requests received by the Scottish Government are reviewed. 2) For each month of the last 5 years, what percentage of FOI reviews to the Scottish Government are partially or fully upheld.

FOI/EIR already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence s.20 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-25
Reference
FOI/202300352494
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector