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
198 matching releases

FOIs submitted regarding Health and Social Care: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Health and Social Care from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Humza Yousaf before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers
Published
2023-01-30
Reference
FOI/202200335621
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FOIs submitted regarding Social Justice, Housing and Local Government: FOI release

1. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Social Justice, Housing and Local Government from 19 May 2021 to present. 2. The number of those FOIs cleared by Shona Robison before release/publication. 3. The number of those FOIs that have not yet received a response.

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers
Published
2023-01-30
Reference
FOI/202200335620
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff on Independence Prospectus: FOI release

If the number of civil servants currently working to develop the proposed Independence Prospectus has changed or remains one Senior Civil Servant and twenty-three other officials. Also, the grade pay of each staff member.

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2022-11-30
Reference
FOI/202200327159
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Social media independence spend: FOI release

1. How much money has the Scottish Government spent on creating social media videos about independence? A breakdown of these figures. 2. How many videos has the Scottish Government created about independence in 2021 and 2022 and a list of these videos? 3. Who created the videos and how many people were involved in crea...

FOI unclear 55 score correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.1 s.17(1)
Published
2022-11-30
Reference
FOI/202200327588
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Independence spending 2014 – June 2022: FOI release

Since the SNP have been in power in the Scottish Government how much money have they spent on their pursuit of independence? Departments/staff, the 2014 referendum, opinion polls, and the new campaign started this month. Has this money come from Scottish Government budget or out of the SNP own finances?

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1) s.25(1)
Published
2022-10-17
Reference
FOI/202200306332
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

The number of Cabinet meetings attended by Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater since their appointment as Ministers to the Scottish Government: FOI release

1. The number of Cabinet meetings attended by Patrick Harvie since his appointment as a Minister of the Scottish Government. Please provide the dates and reasons for his attendance. 2. The number of Cabinet meetings attended by Lorna Slater since her appointment as a Minister of the Scottish Government. Please provide...

FOI unclear 50 score 5 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2022-10-03
Reference
FOI/202200316256
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparation of independence prospectus papers: FOI release

I would like to request the following information please in relation to the Independence in the Modern wide world white paper along with any other documents produced to coincide with it. I understand 1 Senior official and 19 others worked on the project. Can you provide the following please. 1) The total accumulative a...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.6
Published
2022-09-27
Reference
FOI/202200311764
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

2022 Census form statistics: FOI release

"Please can you provide me with the following: 1. The number of completed census forms for 2022. 2. The number of outstanding census forms as at this date. 3. The final date for census forms to be returned. 4. The number of fines (if any) issued for non-completion of a census form. 5. The number of these fines which ha...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2022-09-27
Reference
FOI/202200314131
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

MSP and Ministerial salary entitlements: FOI release

"The annual figure that N Sturgeon has drawn as her salary from 2008/09 till April 2022. ie has the full salary for her roll been taken and taxed or has she only been paid her 2008/09 salary each year. Also a breakdown of what public Ministers that have "made available £250k" from their pay packet, was it taxed before ...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2022-09-27
Reference
FOI/202200312722
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Money and tax, Public sector

Electoral Services in Scotland nationality choice option: FOI release

"If Electoral Services in Scotland allow the choice of "Scottish", as opposed to British, as an option when registering to vote for elections at all levels".

FOI unclear 50 score 6 working days correspondence
Published
2022-09-22
Reference
FOI/202200317318
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Renewing Democracy through Independence: FOI release

1) The number of civil servants who worked on the Renewing Democracy through Independence paper from the Scottish Government published today. 2) The number of printed copies of this paper handed out at the launch event on 14 July 2022 and all costs to the Scottish Government associated with this launch event.

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-08-16
Reference
FOI/202200311120
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

E-mails sent to and received from Sinn Fein: FOI release

"I request for each calendar or financial year for which records are held: 1 The number of emails sent to @sinnfein.ie (Sinn Fein party) email addresses 2. The number of emails received from @sinnfein.ie (Sinn Fein) email addresses"

FOI unclear 50 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence
Published
2022-08-01
Reference
FOI/202200306586
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Questions regarding work on "Building a New Scotland" document: FOI release

1. How many civil servants worked on these documents and for how long and what the total cost of this was? 2. How many special advisers worked on these papers and what exactly their role was. I would also like to know if any of the special advisers have authority over civil servants. 3. Has the advice of the Permanen...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.3 s.17(1)
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202200306418
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information on FOI requests received by the Government: FOI release

1) The total number of FOI requests received by the Scottish Ministers from requesters named Conor Matchett since January 1, 2021; 2) The number of those FOI requests responded to within the 20 day legal requirement; 3) For those FOIs which were subject to an internal review request, how many were responded to within...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.3 s.4 s.5 s.25(1)
Published
2022-07-25
Reference
FOI/202200305116
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information pertaining to services of Ethics Advisor: FOI release

Does the Scottish Cabinet Ministers retain the services of an Ethics Advisor? If so, who is that person, and how much are they paid?

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2022-07-18
Reference
FOI/202200308037
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Independence in the Modern World costs: FOI release

1. How much did the independence in the modern world papers cost? 2. Breakdown of these costs? 3. How many civil servants worked on it and what is their salary?

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-07-18
Reference
FOI/202200305738
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the "Independence in the Modern World: Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland?" document: FOI release

The cost of producing the following document: “Independence in the Modern World: Wealthier, Happier, Fairer: Why Not Scotland?”. Please can you provide me with the total cost of producing this document. Please provide a breakdown and include the following information The number of FTE staff working on the report The c...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-07-18
Reference
FOI/202200305663
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Independence in the Modern World white paper: FOI release

Independence in the Modern World White paper I note the above White Paper has this week been published. Earlier this year, I recall reading that a team of 11 civil servants were working on the independence blueprint. I presume this document is the first result of their work. Can you tell me please (a) the current size ...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-07-18
Reference
FOI/202200306420
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Resources used to validate potential referendum bill: FOI release

What resources within the government have been used to validate any potential referendum bill?

FOI unclear 50 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2022-05-19
Reference
FOI/202200292265
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Scottish Budget

FOI numbers regarding Education and Skills between 1 January to 28 February 2022: FOI release

The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Education and Skills from 1 to 31 January 2022. The number of FOIs submitted to the Scottish Government regarding Education and Skills from 1 to 28 February 2022. The number of those FOIs cleared by Shirley-Anne Somerville before release/publication. By ...

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2022-05-05
Reference
FOI/202200286790
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Education, Public sector

Independence referendum Section 30 order: FOI release

Since the independence referendum in 2014, the dates that the Scottish Government has formally requested a Section 30 order to allow them the power to hold an independence referendum on the subject of Scotland becoming an independent country.

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30
Published
2022-03-23
Reference
FOI/202200280916
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Cabinet meeting attendance statistics: FOI release

1. The number of Cabinet meetings attended by Patrick Harvie since his appointment as a Minister of the Scottish Government. Please provide the dates and reasons for his attendance. 2. The number of Cabinet meetings attended by Lorna Slater since her appointment as a Minister of the Scottish Government. Please provide ...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2022-03-01
Reference
FOI/202200276397
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Preparatory work on referendum on Scottish independence: FOI release

During a television interview yesterday, the First Minister said (of a referendum on Scottish independence) “The preparatory work for that is underway right now. We haven’t decided on the date that we would seek to introduce the Bill. We’ll decide that in the coming weeks." "But my intention is to take the steps that w...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2022-02-24
Reference
FOI/202200275025
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector