Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

22,340releases indexed
40,102attachments found
29.6avg calendar days
8,293partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-07-29newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,293 unclear 7,326 not held 3,160 released 1,571 already published 681 cost limit 621 clarification 363 withheld 246 transferred 79

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5064 s.20 4374 s.34(1) 3675 s.39(2) 3556 s.30 2943 s.17(1) 2856 s.25(1) 2461 s.10(4) 2031 s.11(2) 1601 s.29(1) 1201 s.2 1196 s.3 930

Timeline

2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,298 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 972 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 945 releases · 30.9 avg days Learning Directorate 866 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 733 releases · 39.8 avg days Constitution Directorate 700 releases · 35.9 avg days Population Health Directorate 653 releases · 28.6 avg days People Directorate 647 releases · 25.7 avg days
Clear
22,340 matching releases

Press office correspondence mentioning Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland: FOI release

For Scottish Government press office internal correspondence mentioning the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-10
Reference
FOI/202000098775
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Expenditure of independence referendum: FOI release

Since the SNP administration took office in 2007, how much of taxpayers money has been spent on the SNP’s independence project.

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers spending s.25(1)
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000117524
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

Funding allocation for Highland schools: FOI release

Information regarding the funding allocation for: - Golspie High School - Wick High School - Thurso High School - Dornoch Academy - Farr High School This was to include: - The per pupil funding allocation for listed schools. - The total allocation of funding per school stated. - How this compares to the national averag...

FOI not held 45 score 6 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000118950
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Autism within the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2003: FOI release

1. The direct definition of how and where autism is covered in the Act under the definition of learning disability; and 2. The specific part of the Mental Health Act/Codes/Guidance that states autism is covered within the act, and where it states that autism is a mental disorder/mental illness.

FOI unclear 55 score 3 working days correspondence s.32
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000127409
Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Equality and rights, Public sector

Briefings relating to the winter payment for low income families: FOI release

You asked for: Copies of any briefings prepared by the civil service on the £100 winter payment for low income families announced by Nicola Sturgeon on 30 November 2020.

FOI released 95 score 13 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000118338
Directorate
Topic
Public Sector, Wider Benefits

Places of worship COVID-19 guidance: FOI release

Information that was used in the preparation of guidance for the meeting of churches as we moved into phases 2 and 3. Specifically all information concerning the following matters: 1. Data/information concerning the decision of the Scottish Ministers a. that singing could not take place in churches and b. to what exten...

FOI withheld 80 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.4 s.5 s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000094719
Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Civil Servant legal advice or advisory services costs: FOI release

'Please provide the cost of any legal advice or legal advisory services provided to Scottish Ministers who have or are set to attend in the near future an evidence session at the Scottish Parliament's Committee on the Scottish Government's Handling of Harassment Complaints'.

FOI unclear 55 score 10 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100145102
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Internal briefings relating to shortcomings of Scottish Welfare fund: FOI release

You asked us to provide copies of any internal briefings prepared by civil servants regarding any shortcomings of the Scottish Welfare Fund.

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence briefings s.38(1) s.25(1) s.30 8 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000096433
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Scottish Welfare fund: FOI release

You asked us to provide copies of any correspondence (briefings, emails, minutes of calls, minutes of meetings, memos, texts and/or otherwise) between civils servants and/or Special Advisors and/or Scottish Government Cabinet members regarding the Scottish Welfare Fund being more or less effective dependent on the loca...

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.25(1) s.30 8 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000096504
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Money and tax, Public sector

Restitution order under Section 104 Scotland Act 1998: FOI release

You asked for: 1. When the Scottish Government made a request for an order under Section 104 of the Scotland Act 1998 to enable the use of Restitution Orders as set out in the Victims and Witnesses Act 2014 which ended up being entitled the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential Modification) Order 20...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence meetings s.10 s.29(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000118535
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Information relating to Police Scotland work with Sri Lanka: FOI release

Please provide copies of any records held by the Justice Directorate between 15 October 2020 and 8 December 2020 relating to Police Scotland's work with Sri Lanka. I expect your search to include records held by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and his team.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000121879
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Public sector

Correspondence regarding timing of publishing referendums bill: FOI release

From 1 September 2020 to present: Copies of correspondence (emails, texts, minutes of calls, memos, minutes of meetings and/or otherwise) between civil servants and/or Special Advisors and/or Scottish Government Cabinet members on the timing of publishing the referendums bill.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence meetings s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000096516
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Communications regarding ‘pulse fishing’: EIR release

To summarise, you asked for communications in the past two years between: Marine Scotland and Scottish Ministers Marine Scotland and DEFRA Marine Scotland the owner of the Scottish vessel In relation to “electro trawling” or “pulse fishing” and the Scottish vessel permitted to carry out the activity.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100135563
Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries

Civil Servants preparation in giving evidence to Committee for Former First Minister inquiry: FOI release

Provide me with the current figure for the cost of providing external assistance for civil servants ahead of evidence sessions of the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints. A previous FOI put the figure at £54,378 as of November 3, so please provide an updated figure as of today (Jan 14...

FOI unclear 55 score 17 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100137646
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge monthly statistics: EIR release

You requested the following information; "and the Forth Road Bridge broken down by: bridge type of vehicle month from November 2019 to the present day" You further clarified that you required the monthly traffic flows for the Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge for the above period.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000111588
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Average time for Scottish Government to respond to Ministerial correspondence: FOI release

Broken down per month for the past 3 years: The average time for the Scottish Government to respond to Ministerial correspondence. (This is the period of time from when the correspondence was received until the response was issued from the Scottish Government)

FOI unclear 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000111708
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Single longest wait for Scottish Government to respond to Ministerial correspondence: FOI release

Broken down per month for the past 3 years: The single longest wait for the Scottish Government to respond to a Ministerial correspondence. (This is the period of time from when the correspondence was received until the response was issued from the Scottish Government)

FOI unclear 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000111715
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

All correspondence between the Scottish Government and P&O Ferries: FOI release

You asked for details of all contact between the Scottish Government and P&O Ferries between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2020, including copies of all written correspondence (letters and emails); details (including time, date, participants) of any meetings between SG officials and/or ministers and P&O staff or its repr...

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202100135421
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Planning applications submitted between 2015-2020 in local council area: EIR release

1. For the last five years (2015-2020) how many applications have been received about sites planning flats or other residential dwellings in Aberdeen city boundaries? 2. What % proportion have been found in favour of the appellant?

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 6 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000125829
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Building, planning and design, Housing, Public sector

The number of deaths due to COVID-19 within Scotland: FOI release

How many people have died in Scotland because of COVID-19 alone?

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202100136055
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

COVID-19 deaths at Ninewells Hospital: FOI release

How many people have passed away in Ninewells hospital solely from Covid-19? As in, they were admitted into Ninewells and died due to Covid-19 only. I would like to know the exact figure from 1st February 2020 to 1st January 2021 of people who have died due to Covid-19 only and not any other existing or underlying iss...

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202100138939
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Education Scotland stance on Civil Service Code: FOI release

1. Are teachers in general bound by the Civil Service Code? 2. Are all members of staff involved in the decision making at Canal View Primary, Wester Hailes, Edinburgh bound by the Civil Service Code? 3. Are all members of staff at Education Scotland bound by the Civil Service Code?(Internal and External) 4. I would li...

FOI unclear 55 score 3 working days correspondence meetings s.17(1)
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000127457
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Forestry external training spend and budget: FOI release

1. External training spend in the previous 3 fiscal years (2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20) in Scottish Forestry, broken down by: Amount spent through the Civil Service Learning contract and amount spent to deliver external training through other contracts Under the Civil Service Learning Contract -Amount spent on online/d...

FOI transferred 80 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000093299
Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence and information relating to the Bifab press release: FOI release

You asked for: Copies of correspondence between the UK and Scottish Governments regarding the following press release: https://www.gov.scot/news/bifab-working-group/, as well as the joint statement and working group to which it refers. Please limit to the time period 10 November 2020 to present. Which minister or offi...

FOI withheld 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.28 s.28(1) s.18
Published
2021-02-08
Reference
FOI/202000116158
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public Sector