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
725 matching releases

Scotcoin: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings or otherwise) between members of the Scotcoin company and officials working for or in the Scottish Government.”

FOI already published 80 score 11 working days correspondence meetings s.25 2 attachments
Published
2020-08-17
Reference
FOI/202000057929
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Investment returns for Government business interventions: FOI release

“For each of the government business interventions in Prestwick Airport, Ferguson Marine, Bifab and Lochaber Aluminium smelter please can you give me the investment returns actually received by the government in each of the fiscal years 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20. For each can you give me the nature of the return - i...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence s.33 2 attachments
Published
2020-08-11
Reference
FOI/202000055209
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Money and tax, Public sector

Garden centre, construction business and recycle centres representatives’ correspondence: FOI release

Correspondence received by Kate Forbes (from 1 March to date) by representatives of garden centres, construction businesses or recycling centres.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.38 s.33 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.33(1) 4 attachments
Published
2020-07-22
Reference
FOI/202000047709
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Grants awarded to Agencies, Charitable organisations and Community companies or societies: FOI release

“For the below questions please use the most up to date available figures at the time of your reply and note which date range has been included in your figures. 1. For each of the financial years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20, please can you detail the total number and value of grants using public money awarded to any o...

FOI unclear 55 score 7 working days correspondence briefings s.1
Published
2020-07-02
Reference
FOI/202000046678
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Money and tax, Public sector

Replacement of European Structural Funds In Scotland Post EU-Exit Consultation: FOI release

“The online consultation was a success with 155 responses and around 200 citizens, businesses and communities attended one of the regional or thematic events. Not really a success was it, there are around 5.4 million people in Scotland. What would be a success is if you told the public how much the consultation cost th...

FOI unclear 50 score 4 working days correspondence spending
Published
2020-06-30
Reference
FOI/202000047517
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Brexit, Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Covid-19 Construction guidance: FOI release

“The SG published guidance for the construction sector immediately after lockdown on 23 March. That guidance included a provision that construction projects that could be completed within 5 days could be completed whilst other sites should close. After 6th April this guidance was superseded but we need this guidance. R...

FOI unclear 75 score 6 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2020-06-15
Reference
FOI/202000044080
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Financial questions on hydro plant and aluminium smelter at Lochaber: FOI Review

I. the size of the total gross liability of the Scottish Government under the 25-year financial guarantee relating to the hydro plant and aluminium smelter at Lochaber entered into in December 2016; II. the methodology that was used to value the asset at the time of the agreement in 2016/17; III. documents and correspo...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence s.33(1) s.33(2)
Published
2020-05-28
Reference
FOI/202000032186
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Communications on potential use of satellite launch facilities: FOI release

"Any documents detailing communications between members of the Scottish Government and the following agencies pertaining to potential use of the proposed satellite launch facility on the Melness Crofting Estate in Sutherland for defence, security or military purposes: Highlands and Islands Enterprise Lockheed Martin U...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence meetings s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-05-11
Reference
FOI/202000028641
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Financial questions on hydro plant and aluminium smelter at Lochaber: FOI release

You requested the following information: i. the size of the total gross liability of the Scottish Government under the 25-year financial guarantee relating to the hydro plant and aluminium smelter at Lochaber entered into in December 2016; ii. the methodology that was used to value the asset at the time of the agreem...

FOI clarification 55 score 13 working days correspondence contracts s.3 s.33
Published
2020-03-26
Reference
FOI/202000017138
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

QI Consulting contract with Scottish Government for independent operational expert advice: FOI release

Your request is noted below: “To ask Scottish Ministers to provide the contract that was drawn up and agreed between both parties that enabled Commodore van Beek to commence his review. In addition, Mr van Beek states in his letter above that the review would be carried out with a colleague, Bert Niven, a director of ...

FOI already published 80 score 12 working days correspondence ministers contracts s.38 s.33 s.25(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-03-12
Reference
FOI/202000017467
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Suspension of European Social Fund: FOI release

“I understand that the ESF and ERDF programmes in Scotland have both been forced into a period of suspension following an audit by the European Commission on Scottish Government in their capacity as Managing Authority. Can you please provide the following specific pieces of information: 1. Audit report(s) which outline...

FOI cost limit 45 score 15 working days correspondence ministers spending s.26 s.12 s.1(1) s.20 s.12(1)
Published
2020-03-05
Reference
FOI/202000015876
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

Questions concerning Scottish Minister mobile phones and resignation salaries: FOI release

You asked for: "1. Do yours Ministers use taxpayer funded mobile phones, social media accounts and traffic. Or do they use for those uses their personal and personally paid for accounts. 2. Will Mr McKay pick up a £12 k or more tax free bonus for resigning. Aye or No."

FOI released 75 score 10 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2
Published
2020-02-24
Reference
FOI/202000015988
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector, Work and skills

All correspondence pertaining to the First Minister's visit to Coca Cola factory: FOI release

You asked for: Any documentation pertaining to Nicola Sturgeon’s visit to Coca Cola on 31.7.19. This should include any letters, emails, briefings, and notes of conversations (including telephone) pertaining to the visit.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.38(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.33 2 attachments
Published
2020-02-12
Reference
FOI/202000011679
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Economy, Public sector, +1 more … Work and skills

Scotcoin Correspondence: FOI release

1. Please provide all correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings or otherwise) between members of the Scotcoin company and FinTech Scotland. 2. Please provide all correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings or otherwise...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence meetings s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-02-12
Reference
FOI/202000011924
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Manufacturing roundtable attendance including the Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills: FOI release

You asked for the following information: “Who attended a meeting at Gretna with Jamie Hepburn MSP, along with 30 or so others on the 13th January 2020.”

FOI partially withheld 65 score 4 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.38 s.38(1)
Published
2020-01-29
Reference
FOI/202000013021
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

The Scottish Business Pledge: FOI release

1. The number of private sector businesses operating in Scotland that have signed up to the Scottish Business Pledge since its inception? (please do not include any public sector organisations in this figure) 2. A breakdown of private sector businesses that have signed up to the Scottish Businesses Pledge in each of t...

FOI already published 55 score 10 working days correspondence spending s.25 s.27 s.27(1)
Published
2019-12-11
Reference
FOI/201900007053
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Scottish Government funding of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE): FOI release

You have requested that we provide information “as to exactly how much funding the Scottish Government has provided to HIE” in relation to the Space Hub Sutherland development and details on “how the funds are being accounted for”. You also requested information on “exactly where we are with the planning application”.

FOI unclear 50 score 10 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2019-12-11
Reference
FOI/201900008011
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in Scotland: FOI release

You requested the following – for ERDF funds in Scotland please provide for the accounting period, 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018 (as in the report): - the total value of ERDF recoveries across the programme - information on the largest 5 recoveries (reason, amount, recipient) - the three main reasons for recoveries.

FOI unclear 75 score 15 working days correspondence spending 2 attachments
Published
2019-12-10
Reference
FOI/201900006947
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority funding: FOI release

You asked for records of any instances where the Scottish Government has not provided the agreed monies to the HIE and /or the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority within the last 6 years.

FOI cost limit 45 score 13 working days correspondence spending s.12 s.15(1) s.17(1)
Published
2019-12-02
Reference
FOI/201900006485
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd & Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd relationship: FOI release

‘copies of any and all correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes or electronic, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, reports, documents or otherwise) from the Scottish Government ministers, senior civil servants, Scottish Government senior lawyers, and any Scottish Government wholly own agencies and the ...

FOI not held 40 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts
Published
2019-11-19
Reference
FOI/201900005461
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence with Luke Van Beek: FOI release

You asked for “ALL additional correspondence between Luke Van Beek and the Scottish Government and also copies of internal emails plus any other exchanges which have not yet appeared on the Scottish Government FOI Website and are relevant to the design build and operation of the two Ferries in question”.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence contracts s.38(1) s.34(1) s.27(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-11-18
Reference
FOI/201900005378
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

VATIS Ltd Quarterly Review regarding Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd (FMEL): FOI release

‘copies of any and all correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes or electronic, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, reports, documents or otherwise) from the Scottish Government ministers, senior civil servants, Scottish Government senior lawyers, and any Scottish Government wholly own agencies and the ...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending
Published
2019-11-18
Reference
FOI/201900005459
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Stakeholders correspondence regarding the IMPACT Centre project: FOI appeal

All correspondence between or involving Scottish Ministers and/or employees of the Scottish Government with stakeholders regarding the IMPACT Centre project from 1 Jan 2017 to the date of request.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 96 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.28 2 attachments
Published
2019-11-15
Reference
FOI/19/00003
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Building, planning and design, Constitution and democracy, +1 more … Public sector

Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited correspondence: FOI release

‘copies of any and all correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes or electronic, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, reports, loan drawdown assurance reports, documents or otherwise) between Scottish Government ministers, senior civil servants, Scottish Government senior lawyers, and any Scottish Governm...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.27(1) 4 attachments
Published
2019-11-12
Reference
FOI/201900005209
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector