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
23 matching releases

Details of meetings with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change: FOI release

Any meetings held between Scottish Government Ministers and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change since 6 May 2021. Please provide a note of who attended and what was discussed, if held. Any meetings held between Scottish Government Civil Servants and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change since 6 May 2021. Pl...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.12 s.25 s.25(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-08-11
Reference
FOI/202500472771
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Chairman of the Scottish Land Commission role announcement: FOI release

1. On Humza Yousaf's appearance in front of committee chairs on March 27, he vowed to look into the leak of Mike Russell winning the role of chairman of the Scottish Land Commission - He said: "I will absolutely examine and explore this issue, we mean no disrespect whatsoever to the parliament.' https://www.scottishdai...

FOI already published 80 score 17 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending s.25 s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-18
Reference
FOI/202400421265
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

House of Commons boundaries, Scotch Whisky export duty and recall petition: FOI release

Q1. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government, including internal correspondence, all briefings and notes/minutes from meetings, about the Boundary Commission's 2023 review of House of Commons boundaries, between September 1 2023 and the date of this FOI [2 April 2024]? Q2. Could...

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.38(1) s.17 s.14 s.25 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400407175
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Information Commissioner's ruling No.004/2023: FOI release

In relation to the Scottish Information Commissioner's ruling No.004/2023 and the decision by Scottish Ministers to appeal this ruling: Which Scottish Minister(s) decided to appeal the above ruling and/or gave the the go-ahead to appeal? Any and all internal and external correspondence including emails, letters, Whats...

FOI already published 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.36(1)
Published
2024-01-11
Reference
202300347350
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Information Commissioner's Decision Notice: FOI release

Any internal or external correspondence, including any attachments, WhatsApp messages, text messages, instant messaging, memos, OneNotes, minutes, agendas, appendixes or other correspondence, relating to the Scottish Information Commissioner's Decision Notice, reference number 048-2022, and related FOIs.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 6 attachments
Published
2023-12-21
Reference
202200297190
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Referendums Scotland Bill Team staffing: FOI release

"The most recent number of civil servants that are/were in the Scottish Government’s Referendums Scotland Bill Team. What are/were their pay grades? The general Scottish Government pay grades of the time that these civil servants were employed."

FOI already published 55 score 19 working days correspondence s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
FOI/202300377174
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

External legal advice incurred relating to Referendum: FOI release

1) The cost of all external legal advice incurred by the Scottish Government producing the Lord Advocate’s written case to the Supreme Court on the question of whether a referendum on Scottish independence relates to reserved matters. 2) If possible, the lawyers/firms in receipt of the funds the Scottish Government pro...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.2 s.27 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-05
Reference
FOI/202200312733
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications regarding crown consent provisions in Scottish legislation discussions: FOI Review

1) Copies of any internal Scottish government memos, briefing papers or emails concerning the question of changing the handling of crown consent in legislation and/or the way the crown consent provisions are communicated to MSPs, including but not exclusively to and from the Scottish government ministers and their spec...

FOI already published 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.29(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-20
Reference
FOI/202200278004 Review of 202200270508
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information relating to the number of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests received by the Government and responses: FOI release

How many FOI requests were received by the Scottish Government, how many responses were published on the Scottish Government website and how many responses were published only via direct communication to the requester in the calendar year 2021.

FOI/EIR already published 55 score 14 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.12
Published
2022-07-19
Reference
FOI/202200305330
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding paragraph 20 of the Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group Cooperation Agreement: FOI release

"Copies of all correspondence held relating to Paragraph 20 of the Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party Parliamentary Group Cooperation Agreement, otherwise known as the 'no surprises' rule."

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.29 s.38 4 attachments
Published
2022-01-06
Reference
FOI/202100250429
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Parliament election safety advice provided to Ministers: FOI release

Copies of advice given to Ministers on the safety of holding the Scottish Parliament election in May as planned, during the Coronavirus pandemic. The request should cover communications sent after 23 December 2020.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.25 6 attachments
Published
2021-04-19
Reference
FOI/202100154147
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Four nations meetings attended by the First Minister: FOI release

1) Any minutes, agendas, briefing notes, notes taken by attendees, from four nations meetings attended by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon since January 1. 2) The location, time, date, and attendance list of each meeting, including special advisers and civil servants (anonymised if required).

FOI already published 80 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25 s.29(1) s.38 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-24
Reference
FOI/202100151001
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

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

From 1 October 2020 to present: Copies of all emails to and from Michael Russell with the word ‘referendum’ in them (including in the email body, as an attachment, in the subject line and/or otherwise).

FOI already published 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-03
Reference
FOI/202000118630
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Parliament election contingency plan: FOI release

1. Any reports, documents or email correspondence from between 1 August and present day [13 October] between Scottish Government civil servants on the topic of the Scottish Parliament election in 2021 and contingency plans surrounding it. 2. During the same time period, any briefing reports, draft reports, emails, What...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.25 s.27 s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-02-18
Reference
FOI/202000097860
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Copies of minutes for the Scottish Government Cabinet Meeting on 30 June 2020: FOI release

1. Copies of minutes for the Scottish Government Cabinet Meeting on 30 June 2020. 2. Any papers and/or briefings that were circulated to the Scottish Government Cabinet from civil servants, special advisors and/or otherwise in preparation for the Cabinet meeting on 30 June 2020. 3. Copies of correspondence from/to civi...

FOI already published 80 score 18 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.30 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.36(1) s.17(1) 6 attachments
Published
2020-11-12
Reference
FOI/202000090391
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information concerning contact between the First Minister, the Former First Minister and representatives: FOI appeal

Information concerning contact between Ms. Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister, her Government and her staff and Mr Alex Salmond, Former First Minister and his representatives in the period 1st January 2018 and 31st December 2018: Dates and times of contact, meetings and phone calls Details of who was present at meetings...

FOI already published 80 score 457 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.56 s.49(7) s.25(1) 6 attachments
Published
2020-10-26
Reference
FOI-19-00185-appeal
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Material relating to FOI Appeal on request FOI/201900000117: FOI release

You asked for; all correspondence, information contained in discussions and all material supplied by Scottish Government to the Scottish Information Commissioner in relation to his relating to request “Independent Scrutiny of Inter Agency Decision Ref 092/2019.

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.47(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-07-04
Reference
FOI/201900001987
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister’s correspondence regarding Sustainable Growth Commission: FOI release

Any correspondence received or sent by the First Minister regarding the SNP’s ‘Sustainable Growth Commission’ since May 2018.

FOI already published 80 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-04-05
Reference
FOI/19/00753
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Responses to Consultation on Draft Referendum Bill: FOI release

The estimated cost of carrying out and analysing the responses to the Consultation on a Draft Referendum Bill. If the Scottish Government would have to have a another bill consultation if it decided to hold a referendum in the future and for how long it considers the responses to the consultation to remain valid/useful...

FOI already published 50 score correspondence spending
Published
2017-08-07
Reference
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector