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
685 matching releases

Correspondence relating to economic speeches, Barclays bank , financial strategy and Independence: FOI release

1. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government, all briefings held, all minutes/notes from meetings, surrounding the planned major economic speeches outlined by the Scottish Government on January 6 which Humza Yousaf was going to do, between April 1 and the date of this FOI? -What ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.30 s.33(1) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202400414539
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Economy, Public sector

Constitutional Futures Division documents mentioning the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: 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), 19th June 2023 - date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.38 s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202400423236
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Independent Scotland: FOI release

1.All meetings held or attended by Jamie Hepburn between July 1 2023 and the date of this FOI, including minutes/notes from them, and a list of attendees. 2. How many social media videos about independence have been created by the Scottish Government so far this year? List of these videos and the costs of creating the...

FOI not held 70 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.2 s.5T s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.25(1) s.36(1) s.12 4 attachments
Published
2024-08-14
Reference
FOI/202300377797
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

Correspondence regarding Independence Referendum: FOI release

1. Has the Scottish Government modelled how many embassies it would create in the event of independence and how much these would cost? If so, could you supply this modelling? If not, why? 2. All correspondence between the Scottish Government and European Council President Charles Michel between January 1 2023 and the ...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.29(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-13
Reference
FOI/202300377834
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

Various questions relating to Independence: FOI release

1. Could you supply all analysis undertaken by the Scottish Government this year, along with any briefings or correspondence, about how much it would cost to set up a new defence force, as well as a new security agency in the event of independence? 2. Could you supply all analysis undertaken by the Scottish Government...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.12 s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-12
Reference
FOI/202400414173
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear weapons and NATO membership: FOI release

On March 4, 2024, the Scottish Government released its 11th independence prospectus relating to Scotland’s place on the world. In it, it was claimed the SG did not think opposition to nuclear weapons or the removal of Trident would be an impediment to NATO membership I wish to obtain all details of discussions with NA...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence s.17(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-07-30
Reference
FOI/202400402603
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Independence of Scotland from the UK correspondence: FOI release

I write requesting the information under the Freedom of Information Scotland Act (“FOISA”): 1. All letters from the First Minister to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom which regards independence of Scotland from the UK. 2. The responses to the letters from the PM. To narrow down my request this should be from...

FOI unclear 50 score 12 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2024-07-10
Reference
FOI/202400411864
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Translations and consultations costs for the proposed Scots Languages Bill: FOI release

I am requesting the following information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and any other relevant pieces of legislation: What organisation(s) were used for any translations of the consultation for the proposed Scots Languages Bill. What organisation(s) were used for any translations of the "Buildin...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1) s.25(1)
Published
2024-04-30
Reference
FOI/202400406725
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Civil servants working to develop the proposed independence: FOI release

Can I please request the following information: The number of civil servants currently working to develop the proposed independence prospectus. The pay grade of each staff member.

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2024-04-23
Reference
FOI/202400406545
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

State Pension Payments: FOI release

Since 5th May 2011, has the Scottish Government ever sought legal advice on who would be legally responsible for paying the state pension in an independent Scotland? In other words: has advice been sought on the question of whether a continuing UK Government would have a legal obligation to pay the state pension to peo...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence spending
Published
2024-04-08
Reference
FOI/202400403372
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Building a new Scotland, Public sector

Briefing materials on independence referendum: FOI release

The most up to date briefing material that is provided to ministers on the topic of Scottish independence/second independence referendum. If possible, can you also please provide the dates and instances where this briefing material was used for in the last 6 months. For example, XXX MSP was given the briefing materia...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 2 attachments
Published
2024-03-28
Reference
FOI/202400392770
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

Building a New Scotland prospectus papers fiscal sustainability: FOI release

“In the course of preparing the Building a New Scotland series of independence papers, has the Scottish Government considered the affordability of the state pension (in the context of fiscal sustainability) in an independent Scotland? I don’t expect you to send me that work. I just want to know if it exists”.

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence
Published
2024-02-26
Reference
FOI/202300390041
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Prospectus for Independence meeting at Bute House: FoI release

On 30th May 2022, a meeting was held at Bute House which was described as “a focused policy discussion about fiscal policy to test in detail the propositions in this area which are to be addressed in the updated prospectus for independence.” Please provide a list of all persons who attended this meeting. For those who ...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence meetings 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-22
Reference
FOI/202300373210
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Funeral For Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: FOI release

You asked several questions in relation to The Queen’s funeral: 1. All correspondence between JP Marks, Douglas Ross, Nicola Sturgeon and other Scottish Government officials regarding invites to the Queen’s funeral in September. 2. All correspondence between Scottish Government officials and the Lord Chamberlain’s of...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-20
Reference
202200321743
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost of "Building a New Scotland" Project: FOI release

I would like to submit an FOI request with regards to the series of 9 papers published by the Scottish Government titled "Building a New Scotland". Specifically, I would like to know the following: 1. How much did the project (e.g. commission, research and publication of the 9 papers) cost in total, and how long did i...

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2024-02-19
Reference
FOI/202400391532
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Request for Referendum costs: FOI release

In your email, you requested the following information: Given that the Lord Advocate had at the outset expressed her misgivings that the action would succeed, whose decision was it to proceed? How much did (a) the preparation of the case, and (b) its presentation at the Supreme Court, cost? Will all this expenditure r...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 8 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-15
Reference
202200331890
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with CEO of Business for Scotland and Believe in Scotland: FOI release

Please provide copies of all email correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil servants, and Special Advisers) and Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, CEO of Business for Scotland and Believe in Scotland, 1st May 2021 - date.

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 4 attachments
Published
2024-02-01
Reference
FOI/202300373212
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Non-Scottish Government individual consulted for input for Request Building a New Scotland paper: FOI release

The names of any non-Scottish Government individual consulted for advice or input for the Scottish Government's 'Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence' paper. This should include but not be limited to any non-staff individual involved in a Scottish Government economic advisory board, committee,...

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2024-01-30
Reference
202200325598
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Referendum Budget: FOI review

A breakdown of how that £20 million was calculated - including all documents which shows how the figure was calculated and all details of how the money would be predicted to be spent. In other words, all documents which show the rationale of the final figure. All correspondence between relevant Scottish Government work...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.29(1) s.17
Published
2024-01-26
Reference
FOI/202200310643 Review of 202200303499
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Analysis of Building a New Scotland: a stronger economy paper: FOI release

In the independence paper "building a new Scotland: a stronger economy it is suggested that custom checks will happen on the border in the event of independence and rejoining the EU, with Jamie Hepburn also saying this on May 21. Could you supply any analysis done on this about how much potential job losses this could ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence meetings spending s.17(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.29(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-24
Reference
Analysis of Building a New Scotland: a stronger economy paper: FOI release
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Independence money legal advice: FOI review

Has the Scottish Government taken legal advice about whether they can spend any more money on independence following the Supreme Court judgment? If so, can you supply that legal advice or when it will be announced? If not, why have you not sought legal advice on this matter? Has the Scottish government been threatened ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.36(1)
Published
2024-01-24
Reference
202200333048
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector