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
513 matching releases

Affordable homes grants, loans and bonds data: FOI release

1) A table of all grants, loans and bonds issued by or on behalf of the Scottish Government for the purposes of building affordable homes. Please provide this including the amount of money paid out in the last 6 financial years, to whom they were paid and what repayments are due and when for each of these. Where they w...

FOI cost limit 70 score 17 working days correspondence contracts spending s.2 s.12 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-13
Reference
FOI/202500486835
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Council Tax enforcement: FOI release

1. Policy Documents Governing Summary Warrants Internal guidance, memos, or statutory interpretation documents relating to the use of summary warrants for council tax enforcement Legal justification for bypassing judicial hearings and denying debtors the right to rebut 2. Council Tax Redistribution Breakdown Percent...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.19 s.30 s.17(1) s.84 s.81
Published
2026-01-12
Reference
FOi/202500484756
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Money and tax, 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

Details of the Rural Affordable Homes for Key Workers Fund: FOI release

You asked for details of the £25 million key worker housing fund: the number of housing units approved, total approvals by region, and any unallocated or returned amounts for 2024–25.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence spending
Published
2026-01-06
Reference
FOI/202500482090
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Disputes submitted to each tenancy deposit scheme in Scotland: FOI release

You kindly responded to this enquiry (202500467746) but the data on disputes was incomplete for 2024-25 as the data was not available until the end of August 2025. Please could I now be supplied with that information?

FOI released 70 score 17 working days correspondence
Published
2026-01-06
Reference
FOI/202500482828
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Landlords in Scotland statistics: FOI release

You asked for an update to the published answer to request FOI/202400423932 (and FOI/202000090239) in particular to the breakdown of how many landlords there are on the register and how many properties they own in the same bandings as before. The original request had also asked for: How many landlords in Scotland are...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2025-12-31
Reference
FOI/202500481827
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and pension providers regarding issuance credit (loans) on a sixty year term: FOI release

You asked for “Data that does display communications took place between 2009-2011: 1. Document confirms the loan term were sixty years? 2. That at the end of the loan term the homes (assets) built from that issued credit would revert to ownership of the organisation that sought the credit (debt)? 3. What interest ra...

FOI not held 45 score 13 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2025-12-09
Reference
FOI/202500483814
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Local Authority vacant housing stock statistics: FOI release

1. Provide any data the Scottish Government has about the amount of empty council houses there are in Scotland, and include how many there are? 2. Supply any analysis or any reports written by or for the Scottish Government about how many houses will be built in Scotland over the next five years, including any figures...

FOI cost limit 45 score 17 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending s.12
Published
2025-12-09
Reference
FOI/202500482851
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

Rough sleeping in Glasgow documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about rough sleeping in Glasgow, from the last three months.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2025-12-09
Reference
FOI/202500482896
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Early learning and childcare funding: FOI release

When a local authority (e.g. West Dunbartonshire) applies for a child’s 3-5 years funding from the Scottish Government. If a child was born in 2022 (e.g. 02/01/2022) and again if the child was born (02/01/2023), is this issued from the child’s 3rd birthday in each case or when?

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence s.17
Published
2025-12-09
Reference
FOI/202500481444
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Help to Buy (Scotland) Affordable New Build Scheme: FOI release

1. The number of new build properties purchased with assistance from Help to Buy (Scotland) Affordable New Build Scheme since the beginning of the scheme in 2013. 2. The total value of equity loans extended by the Scottish Government under the scheme over this period. 3. For the end of each financial year since it’s ...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2025-12-08
Reference
FOI/202500482470
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, 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

Doubling council tax on second homes documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about doubling council tax on second homes, from the last three months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-18
Reference
FOI/202500479378
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Housing documentation about measures to combat the housing emergency: FOI release

All documentation sent and received by Mairi McAllan and/or her office, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings, minutes/notes from meetings, analysis, about measures to combat the housing emergency, between June 5 2025 and July 1 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-18
Reference
FOI/202500477393
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Housing's dashboard information: FOI Review

Original request: 202500471797 A copy of the dashboard containing information relating to housing which the Cabinet Secretary referenced in her interview on STV on 18 June 2025.

FOI unclear 80 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-04
Reference
FOI/202500477234 Review of 202500471797
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Various queries relating to Local Councils in Scotland: FOI release

1. As Local Councils in Scotland are listed on Companies House and have a Duns Number are they Corporations. 2. Are Local Councils in Scotland exempt from the Bills of Exchange Act and if they are could you please provide the exemption evidence? 3. Are Local Councils in Scotland Lawfully required to get a written Lia...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.17(1) s.5 s.17
Published
2025-11-03
Reference
FOI/202500477754
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Local authority use of Arm’s Length External Organisations (ALEO’s): FOI release

1. Has the Scottish Government ever been informed of Glasgow City Council’s use of multiple corporate identities and D-U-N-S numbers? 2. Has any public servant in government correspondence acknowledged or accepted this practice? 3. Which incorporated entity holds the liability and legal standing to enforce Council Ta...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.70 s.75
Published
2025-10-16
Reference
FOI/202500475278
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Homeless Project Scotland documentation: FOI release

Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis which is to/from or mentions Homeless Project Scotland, from the last three months?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2025-10-13
Reference
FOI/202500472840
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Housing briefing pack: FOI release

“Any briefings prepared for the Cabinet Secretary for Housing ahead of her media interviews and/or visits that took place on 18 June 2025.”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-10-13
Reference
FOI/202500471793
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Local Financial Return (LFR) information: FOI release

1. Copies of all guidance, templates, or instructions issued to local authorities regarding the preparation, population, or structure of the FR00 financial return. 2. Any documentation that outlines: 1. How councils should map their internal chart of accounts or departmental structures to the LFR categories; 2. What...

FOI unclear 55 score 9 working days correspondence briefings s.3 s.4 s.33(1)
Published
2025-09-25
Reference
FOI/202500472917
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Right to Buy Scheme revenue and statistics: FOI release

You asked for the following information: The total revenue generated for the Scottish Government through the Right to Buy Scheme throughout its existence in Scotland between 1980 to 31st July 2016 broken into each decade, for example from 1980 – 1990, 1990 – 2000, 2000 – 2010, 2010 – 2016. How has this income has bee...

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence spending
Published
2025-09-24
Reference
FOI/202500459052
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

Meetings between Scottish Government and housing building firms: FOI release

All correspondence and minutes/notes from meetings between the Scottish Government and any housebuilding firms, from the last three months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.33(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-24
Reference
FOI/202500470221
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector