Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,864releases indexed
39,478attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,113partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-06-12newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,113 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4931 s.20 4280 s.34(1) 3589 s.39(2) 3481 s.30 2878 s.17(1) 2774 s.25(1) 2381 s.10(4) 1987 s.11(2) 1571 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1158 s.3 908

Timeline

2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,279 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 967 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 923 releases · 31.0 avg days Learning Directorate 861 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 729 releases · 39.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 633 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
838 matching releases

Communications between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and World Economic Forum etc between 1 January 2020 and 22 December 2021: FOI release

All communications (electronic or otherwise) during the period 1 January 2020 and 22 December 2021 between The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, and the following: The World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates The Open Society Foundations George Soros

FOI partially withheld 90 score 72 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.25(1) s.20 6 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202100267432
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and EU officials regarding independent Scotland joining EU, May 2016 to May 2021: FOI release

Covering the dates 5 May 2016 to 5 May 2021: All correspondence between Scottish Government ministers and civil servants with ministers, civil servants and diplomats in EU 27 countries, regarding the possibility of a future independent Scotland joining the EU. All correspondence between Scottish Government ministers ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.38 s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200285827
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Leslie Evans pre-retirement leave start and end dates: FOI release

Details of the start and end dates of the former Permanent Secretary's (Leslie Evans) pre-retirement leave and documentation showing when and by whom it was authorised.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200287678
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Russia-bound flight from Inverness after introduction of flight restrictions to Russia: FOI release

Copies of all correspondence sent to or from government ministers and/or civil servants, since 1st May 2020, in which there is discussion of a Russia-bound flight which took off from Inverness Airport on February 26, 2022, one day after restrictions were introduced flights linked to Russia.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200328814
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister's IWD 2022 speech and pardons for witchcraft: FOI release

Internal Scottish Government correspondence regarding the First Minister’s International Women’s Day Speech which she gave to Parliament on the 8 March 2022. Please provide all correspondence related to that speech between the dates of 22 February 2022 and 8 March 2022 inclusive. An email search of the term “Witchcraft...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 45 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.20 14 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200287654
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Supreme Court case on which judgement has been delivered on 23rd November: FOI release

I write in regard to the Supreme Court case on which judgement has been delivered today, about whether the Scottish Parliament can hold an independence referendum without Westminster’s approval. What were the legal costs of this case to the Scottish Government and/or the Scottish National Party?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331639
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Independence referendum two final spend: FOI release

Can you please forward me how much money has been spent on obtaining a legal decision to determine if Scottish government can hold an independence referendum without consent of UK government now that the Supreme Court has made a ruling.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331649
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost of Draft Referendum Bill to the Supreme Court: FOI release

Please could I request, under Freedom of Information laws, the costs relating to the Scottish Government’s reference of the Draft Referendum Bill to the Supreme Court. If you can provide the total cost for the reference, as well as any breakdown you are able to provide (such as lawyers fees, staff cost, etc).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331719
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Supreme Court costs of independence referendum: FOI release

Could you please inform of all the costs associated with the recent Supreme Court decision on Independence Referendums?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 8 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331771
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Supreme Court costs: FOI release

Please tell me the cost in legal fees for taking the case to the Supreme Court which you knew in advance you could not win? Why is this government happy to play games at the expense of the taxpayer?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.27 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200331892
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to Europe's offshore wind resources: FOI release

This request relates to a previous FOI response, reference: 202200325962 On page 5 of the correspondence attachment to the above referenced FOI response, an email sent on 30th September 2022 states that the below paragraph of text was provided to “another team: “The claim about 25% of Europe's offshore wind resources...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200333683
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Exchange between SQA Chief Executive and Scottish Government: FOI release

I understand that on 14 May 2021 the Chief Executive of the SQA wrote to the Scottish Government regarding the proposals for the appeals system that would be put in place for 2021 N5, Higher and Advanced Higher results. This letter included discussion of a 'no detriment' approach and sought advice from the government. ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 444 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202100243443
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Number of flats in an aparthotel: FOI release

1. How the number of flats (ie 5) to define an aparthotel was arrived at; 2. An explanation of how all 5-apartment businesses present no problem at all, but all 4-apartment businesses create such a large problem that their trading activities must be more tightly regulated - and in the case of Edinburgh, must cease tra...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 280 working days over deadline correspondence s.25(1)
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202300339785
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cost and staff numbers working on the Scottish Government's policy of Independence: FOI release

Please can you send me a break down of staffing cost and numbers of people related full-time staff hours working on the Scottish Governments - Independence Policy. Please can you break these down by years since the public vote on 18 September 2014. 19 September 2018 - 18 September 2019 19 September 2019 - 18 Septembe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.27(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-09
Reference
202300336771
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial car journeys and the number of ministerial cars: FOI release

1. Details of all journeys undertaken in ministerial cars by Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater since they became ministers. 2. The date, distance travelled, where the journey began and ended and the reason for their use. 3. For the same time frame, the total number of ministerial car journeys undertaken by all minister...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.4 s.25(1) s.27(1) s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-08
Reference
202200330114
Directorate
Corporate Operations Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with Scottish Ministers relating to Project Chestnut: FOI release

Any reports or briefings issued or submitted to ministers that would fall within 'Project Chestnut'.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.25(1) 6 attachments
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
FOI/202300363664
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Gender recognition bill: FOI release

Which firm is being instructed to represent the Scottish government in the judicial review petition? Is it the Scottish government legal directorate or an external law firm? Which counsel have been instructed to represent the government in the judicial review petition? Please supply names and advocate stables. Please p...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.36(1) s.35 s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300351736
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice and correspondence relating to operation branchform: FOI release

1. The cost of any legal advice - either from the Scottish Government's legal directorate or from external advisers/counsel - in regards to Operation Branchform. 2. Any internal correspondence among senior civil servants, special advisers, and ministers (including any attachments or referenced briefings) on the topic o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.35(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300368382
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

ERDM folder dedicated to FOI 202100233415: FOI Release

You asked for “1) The contents of the one ERDM folder dedicated to FOI 202100233415 which includes 53 items detailed in the response to FOI 202300363650.”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.47(1) s.49(3) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-30
Reference
FOI/202300368165
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence sent by Scottish Government Special Advisers, mentioning “Humza Yousaf” or just “Humza”, between 15th February 2023 and 1st March 2023: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence sent by Scottish Government Special Advisers, and mentioning “Humza Yousaf” or just “Humza”, between 15th February 2023 and 1st March 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence special advisers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.38 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-30
Reference
202300345536
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between constitutional futures division and Professor Drew Scott: FOI release

With respect to contact between the Constitutional Futures Division and Professor Drew Scott, 1st May 2021 - date, please provide: 1. The dates of all meetings held, in person or virtual. 2. Any documentation relating to the meetings, including agendas, presentation materials, minutes, notes, or briefings. 3. All corre...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.3 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-27
Reference
FOI/202300367629
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence between constitutional futures division and Professor Alan Miller: FOI release

With respect to contact between Professor Alan Miller , 1st May 2021 - date, please provide: 1. The dates of all meetings held, in person or virtual. 2. Any documentation relating to the meetings, including agendas, presentation materials, minutes, notes, or briefings. 3. All correspondence between the Constitutional F...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.3 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-27
Reference
FOI/202300367626
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

International offices running costs, staffing and pay bands: FOI release

Information regarding the Scottish Government’s International Offices in Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Dublin, London, Ottawa, Paris and Washington DC. Including: A breakdown of the yearly total spend on each of these offices, including office maintenance, expenditure on events and travel and salaries A breakdown of the ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 7 working days correspondence spending s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2023-10-25
Reference
202200333219
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Winter planning discussions: FOI release

1. Since 1 April 2023, On how many occasions has winter planning for the NHS been on an agenda for a Scottish Government cabinet meeting. 2. Since 1 April 2023, On how many occasions have Humza Yousaf or Michael Matheson met with NHS chief executives to discuss winter planning for the NHS?

FOI partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1)
Published
2023-10-24
Reference
FOI/202300373016
Directorate
Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector