Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

11,099releases indexed
19,072attachments found
28.7avg calendar days
4,403partially withheld
2023-10-02oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 4,403 unclear 3,109 not held 1,663 released 816 already published 409 cost limit 376 clarification 166 withheld 123 transferred 34

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 2824 s.20 2437 s.34(1) 2118 s.39(2) 1920 s.30 1721 s.17(1) 1465 s.25(1) 1326 s.10(4) 1159 s.11(2) 933 s.29(1) 703 s.2 586 s.6(1) 478

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 743 releases · 28.1 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 632 releases · 29.1 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 437 releases · 29.3 avg days Marine Directorate 406 releases · 26.4 avg days Population Health Directorate 404 releases · 25.8 avg days Environment and Forestry Directorate 354 releases · 34.0 avg days Economic Development Directorate 334 releases · 41.5 avg days People Directorate 332 releases · 23.9 avg days
Clear
76 matching releases

Non-domestic rates information relating to land used for shooting activity: FOI release

Relating to land used for shooting purposes, in particular, the announcement during your recent budget that current reliefs are being removed. I would appreciate details on the following please: - What prompted this change of policy and why this particular type of use? Who was responsible for it being featured in your...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.20 s.8
Published
2026-05-14
Reference
FOI/202600505454
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, Money and tax, Public sector

Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 and the introduction and operation of the self-catering thresholds: FOI release

The following recorded information only, relating to the application of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 in connection with the introduction and operation of the self-catering thresholds requiring properties to be actually let for at least 70 days and available to let for at least 140 days for entry or maintenance on th...

FOI released 75 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2 s.3 s.4 s.20
Published
2026-05-06
Reference
FOI/202500498158
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Pubs and hospitality businesses correspondence regarding business rates: FOI release

“Could you supply all correspondence received by the Scottish Government from pubs and hospitality businesses about business rates as well as any responses to these emails/letters, from the last two months?”.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 0 working days correspondence s.20 s.38(1) s.33(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-22
Reference
FOI/202600506012
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Exceptional Circumstances guidance issued to Scottish Local Authorities: FOI release

1. Whether the Scottish Government provided guidance and/or advice to Scottish Local Authorities as to the definition of "Exceptional Circumstances" (reference SSI 2021 No. 289 Clause 5B) and/or under what circumstances Exceptional Circumstances should be considered by Scottish Local Authorities. 2. Copies of any/all ...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2 s.5B s.19 s.3 s.20 s.72 s.4A s.6
Published
2026-02-23
Reference
FOI/202500496382
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding rent controls being lifted: FOI release

Your request was for 'all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about rent controls being lifted between April 1 2025 and May 1 2025'

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-07
Reference
FOI/202500485922
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003 regulations to increase Council Tax on second homes: FOI Review

Original request 202500479898 QUESTION 1: What is the provision and specific wording of section 33(1) and (2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003 which authorises the making of Regulations to impose an increase in Council Tax liability for "second homes"? QUESTION 2: Do local authorities have a discretionary ...

FOI unclear 55 score 9 working days correspondence ministers s.33(1) s.20 s.6
Published
2025-12-09
Reference
FOI/202500484805 Review of 202500479898
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003 regulations to increase Council Tax on second homes: FOI release

QUESTION 1: What is the provision and specific wording of section 33(1) and (2) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003 which authorises the making of Regulations to impose an increase in Council Tax liability for "second homes". QUESTION 2: Do local authorities have a discretionary power to charge different amoun...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.33(1) s.33(2) s.4(2) s.20 s.5
Published
2025-11-19
Reference
202500479898
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Correspondence related to small-scale hydro power and the Subsidy Control Act: EIR release

1. Copies of all correspondence between ministers, government officials and non-domestic rates assessors related to small-scale hydro power and the Subsidy Control Act. 2. All correspondence with the Department for Business and Trade relating to the Subsidy Control Act and how it is applied or otherwise to small-scale...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.3 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.10(4) s.6(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-24
Reference
FOI/202500469533
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Former Minister for Housing correspondence regarding Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC): EIR release

1/ All correspondence received by or communicated from the Minister Paul McLennan between February 1 2020 and May 6 2025 relating to RAAC. This includes all forms of communication available, not limited to but including, email, text messages, whatsapp or conventional mail. To note, the timeframe for this request was l...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 46 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-08-06
Reference
EIR/202500464892
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Salary queries for Aberdeen City Council employees: FOI release

1. What is the total amount paid in salaries to ACC employees for the last financial year? Period requested: 2023/24 financial year. 2. What is the total amount of bonuses and other additional payments (such as allowances and incentives) awarded to ACC employees? Period requested: 2023/24 financial year. 3. What perc...

FOI not held 45 score 52 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.6 s.17 s.1 s.20 s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2025-07-10
Reference
FOI/202500458770
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Affordable Homes grants awarded to Edinburgh Living: FOI release

Information the Scottish Government has in relation to Affordable Homes grants awarded to Edinburgh Living Mid-Market Rent LLP (Edinburgh Living), a limited liability partnership incorporated in Scotland with registered address Waverley Court, 4, East Market Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH8 8BG. You requested that the ...

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence contracts s.20 s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-05-13
Reference
FOI/202500455142
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) costs and correspondence: EIR release

1. How much money has the Scottish Government spent on fixing Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the last three years, with a breakdown of what the money was spent on? and; 2. Could you supply all correspondence held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including intern...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-27
Reference
EIR/202500447631
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Springfield Group housing development correspondence: EIR release

Any correspondence, notes or minutes, including any attachments, relating to the opening of the Springfield Group housing development at Ferrylea in Forres on 29 August; and Any correspondence, including any attachments, regarding the Springfield Group properly developers from April to October 2024.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-18
Reference
EIR/202500451593
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Risk assessments, building standards and safety measures for properties with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) construction: EIR release

Information in respect of, variously: Risk Assessments and Safety Measures Blast Resistance Testing for RAAC Impact of Quarry Blasts and Historical Mining, Development Standards and Historical Context, and Additional Relevant Information

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.19 s.10 s.50 s.94 s.45 s.21 s.65 s.51 s.29 s.1
Published
2025-02-21
Reference
EIR/202500449626
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Scottish planning policy for wind turbines 2009/2010: EIR release

The 2009 and 2010 Scottish planning policy for wind turbines (on-shore, single turbines, up to 400kW).

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 7 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2025-02-14
Reference
EIR/202500448299
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Energy, Environment and climate change, +1 more … Public sector

Supplementary information requests for developer’s Environmental Impact Assessment: EIR release

In each of the past five years, how many times has the Scottish Government requested supplementary information for a developer’s Environmental Impact Assessment when determining a planning application? For 2023 and 2024, please provide the Scottish Government’s reasoning for each of its requests of supplementary infor...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1)
Published
2025-02-14
Reference
EIR/202500447185
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

National Planning Framework 4 information: EIR release

All information from the https://www.transformingplanning.scot/national-planning-framework/housing/ webpage that relates to: local authority and stakeholder input; and responses and assessment reports for each local authority. It would be helpful if that information was reposition to the following web page as support...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1)
Published
2025-01-27
Reference
EIR/202400443396
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Housing, Public sector

Plans to build on Bannockburn battlefield documentation: EIR release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent/received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings about plans to build on Bannockburn battlefield, between July 1 2024 and the date of this FOI (3 December 2024). You also confirmed on 12 December 2024 that you did not ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-01-22
Reference
EIR/202400443404
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Housing, Public sector

Castle Venlaw Hotel planning permission materials: EIR release

All correspondence, findings and recommendations regarding planning permission for Castle Venlaw Hotel at the above postcode(EH45 8RD) to be converted into apartments (and subsequently referred to as Venlaw Castle).

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2025-01-21
Reference
EIR/202400443260
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Documentation relating to EIA-170-004 Screening direction request: EIR release

Regarding EIA-170-004 Screening direction request, you asked for "all documentation relating to this matter between your department, the proposer of this development and the local council. This is to be from May 2023 to date. To confirm this is all information to include emails, minutes of meetings and all other method...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) 2 attachments
Published
2025-01-09
Reference
FOI/202400439467
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Production and analysis statistics for specific consultations: EIR release

You asked for the total cost to produce and analysis several consultations. I am answering in relation to the following consultations only: Mandatory training on planning for elected members Scottish Government Review of Permitted Development Rights - Phase 3 Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods: draft planning...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 13 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2024-10-29
Reference
EIR/202400434508
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Orkney Community Wind Farm project correspondence: EIR release

All correspondence (external and internal emails, WhatsApp messages, internal communications, minutes of meetings, briefing notes, reports etc) from the Scottish Government relating to the Orkney Community Wind Farm project from 2018 up to and including 2024.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(5) s.11(2) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-07
Reference
EIR/202400427317
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Correspondence with Clackmannanshire Council regarding Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC): EIR release

A copy of the minutes and other papers, correspondence etc relating to a meeting between the Minister for Housing and Clackmannanshire Council regarding RAAC or funding for RAAC remediation / compulsory or negotiated purchase of affected homes. In addition, you requested any further correspondence, minutes of meetings ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-18
Reference
FOI/202400405446
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Special Development Orders (SDOs) legislation: EIR Review

Original reguest (202400399229) You asked for information relating to the legislation pertaining to the revocation of Special Development Orders (SDOs), such as the SDO at Ardeer in Stevenson.

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.20 4 attachments
Published
2024-09-12
Reference
EIR/202400406217 Review of 202400399229
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Wind farms in Orkney: EIR release

Regarding Wind farms in Orkney - Quanterness, Hoy and Faray. "Can you please provide a list of the Ministers involved in the decision and the minutes of the discussion leading up to them being approved?"

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-11
Reference
FOI/202400395830
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector