Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

22,640releases indexed
40,478attachments found
29.5avg calendar days
8,386partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-09-02newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,386 unclear 7,405 not held 3,239 released 1,581 already published 700 cost limit 627 clarification 372 withheld 249 transferred 81

Top Exemptions

Timeline

2026-09 1 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589

Directorate Profiles

Clear
171 matching releases

Queries regarding draft responses to Freedom of Information requests: FOI release

1. Between 1 January 2025 and present date, on how many occasions, broken down by Scottish Government Minister/Cabinet Secretary, has a Scottish Government Minister or Cabinet Secretary, when presented with a draft response to a Freedom of Information Request, responded with any other decision than approving of that dr...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.3 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-23
Reference
FOI/202500464096
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial salary increase timing and messaging records: FOI release

Access to records related to the timing and public messaging of the recent ministerial salary increase. Specifically: 1. **Internal Communications:** - Emails, meeting minutes, and memos between the Office of the First Minister and the Public Relations teams discussing how the timing of the announcement was chosen. - ...

FOI not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-21
Reference
FOI/202500462016
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government request responses and use of free & frank advice exception: FOI release

In this request, when I refer to ‘free and frank advice exceptions’ I mean to refer to the application of a exemption from disclosure of requested information from a public body as an FOI or EIR request on the grounds that disclosure would inhibit the free and frank provision of advice, inhibit the free and frank excha...

FOI clarification 80 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2A s.25(1) s.6(1) s.12 s.29(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-17
Reference
FOI/202500461547
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial Code Former Advisor correspondence: FOI release

Copies of all the correspondence between Helen Webster & James Hamilton including any correspondence from Helen Webster that references James Hamilton in them.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-06-18
Reference
FOI/202500456798
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government and Ministerial Code Former Advisor communications: FOI release

Any and all communications between the Scottish Government (officials, SPADs, ministers, everyone) and Mr James Hamilton, the then advisor on the ministerial code from April 1st 2021 to December 31st 2023.’

FOI already published 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.25(1) s.26 s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-06-16
Reference
FOI/202500452188
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Scottish Government hybrid working policy: FOI release

“Can I please all communications between all directorate directors and permanent secretary regarding the Scottish Government new hybrid working policy. Can I also have copies of all assessments, including, but not limited to, fairer scotland duty impact assessment, equality and human rights impact assessment, island c...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.27(1) s.30 8 attachments
Published
2025-06-12
Reference
FOI/202500465073
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Government hybrid working policy evidence and findings: FOI release

“In the Saltire article "Next Phase of Hybrid Working" published on the SG intranet on 7th May 2025 it says "In coming to this decision, the Executive Team weighed evidence gathered by a small internal hybrid working review team." “Please can I have a copy of this evidence. I'd like to see any materials that were give...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.30 s.27(1) 12 attachments
Published
2025-06-12
Reference
FOI/202500465200
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Communications in regards to FOI responses to 202500447375 and 202500452341: FOI release

"All internal Government communications (emails, texts, etc everything) by anyone within the Scottish Government (civil servants, SPADs, ministers etcs) in regards to FOI original's response 202500447375 and the subsequent review response 202500452341".

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 2 attachments
Published
2025-05-12
Reference
FOI/202500455247
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Playfair library speech documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government about John Swinney's speech at Playfair Library on January 6, including correspondence sent about it, briefings and analysis, along with reviews of how it went, from between December 15 2024 and the date of this FOI.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-28
Reference
FOI/202500452710
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice in response to Scottish Information Commissioner’s decision 193/2024: FOI release

In regards to FOI 202400445520, the following passage exists within the information released: "For information at this stage, I am attaching a copy of all the legal advice that we will release in response to the Scottish Information Commissioner’s recent decision 193/2024. There are 25 separate documents (named A-Y), ...

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202500448605
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Information regarding the decision not to give the Scottish Information Commissioner legal advice: FOI release

1) Any and all communications, meetings, minutes, records discussing/referencing the decision not to give the Scottish Information Commissioner the legal advice requested from FOI 202300390057 during his investigation that resulted in decision notice 193/2024. 2) Who within the Scottish Government made the decision no...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202500448762
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Information regarding the Ministerial Statement: Legal Advice Relating to Scottish Information Commissioner Decision: FOI Review

Original request 202400445432 1) All briefing notes provided to ministers (e.g. John Swinney, Jamie Hepburn) in preparation of the statement to the Scottish Parliament on the 29th of October: Ministerial Statement: Legal Advice Relating to Scottish Information Commissioner Decision by civil servants, SPADs and anyone ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 2 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.21(4) s.25 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.30 6 attachments
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202500452157 Review of 202400445432
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Former Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport WhatsApp messages during the COVID-19 pandemic: FOI Review

Original request (202400395588) I wish to make a Freedom of Information Request for MSP Maree Todds WhatsApp messages from her ministeral role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 61 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.37(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202400405863 Review of 202400395588
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Former Minister for Mental Health's WhatsApp messages during the Covid 19 pandemic: FOI Review

Original request 202400426487 MSP Claire Haughey What's App messages from her ministerial position during the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202400430870 Review of 202400426487
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Former Minister for Mental Health WhatsApp messages from February 2020 to February 2021: FOI release

1. Requesting Clare Haughey's WhatsApp messages from February 2020 to February 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202400438990
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Mairi McAllan's WhatsApp messages during the Covid-19 pandemic: FOI Review

Original request: 202400435281 You asked for Mairi McAllan's WhatsApp messages from the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 78 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202400436608 Review of 202400435281
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Eid Mubarak celebration at Edinburgh Castle: FOI release

Correspondence held by the Scottish Government, including all sent/received and internal, briefing notes, minutes/notes from meetings, about the Eid Mubarak celebration at Edinburgh Castle, funded by the government, between April 1 and May 1 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 120 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.32(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-18
Reference
FOI/202400432000
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Briefing materials provided to Ministers for appearances at Scottish Parliament portfolio questions sessions: FOI release

All briefing materials provided to Ministers for appearances at Scottish Parliament portfolio questions sessions on 5 February 2025. I mean to refer to briefing materials compiled or given at any time in the current Scottish Parliamentary term, but to narrow down these materials to just those provided for Portfolio Que...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-18
Reference
FOI/202500451876
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and Elon Musk: FOI release

Any emails sent by Scottish government special advisers which mention Elon Musk between January 1st and today, January 7th. Any emails sent by Scottish government media officers (press officers) which mention Elon Musk between January 1st and today, January 7th. Any emails sent by, or on behalf of, Scottish government ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.32(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-02-14
Reference
FOI/202500446991
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Appointment of Independent Advisers on the Scottish Ministerial Code: FOI release

1. Following the appointment of new independent ministerial code advisers, whether the Scottish Government opened up applications to the public for the position of independent adviser on the ministerial code. If so, how many applicants were there for the position? 2. If not, how many people were interviewed for the po...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-01-28
Reference
FOI/202400445249
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Former Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government, including internally, all briefings, all analysis, all minutes/notes from meetings, about or from Michael Matheson, from between September 1 2024 and October 1.

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.36 s.30 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2025-01-21
Reference
FOI/202400442492
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Materials for the Scottish Government's public Ayr Cabinet Meeting: FOI release

Full minutes/briefings written for the Scottish Government's public Ayr Cabinet Meeting on November 4.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-01-21
Reference
FOI/202400442735
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Public sector

Redactions in WhatsAPP/text message documents: FOI Appeal

1. Please add to the released document all the "out of scope" redactions as the overall information is impossible to digest without their inclusion (86 out of scope redactions in 106 pages) 2. There are about 900 redacted text sections in the 106 pages released. It is unclear how many words, sentences, etc have been u...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 114 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-25
Reference
FOI/202400410703 - Appeal
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence on the death of former First Minister Alex Salmond: FOI release

1. A copy of all emails of staff members of the First Minister’s office that refer to the news of Alex Salmond’s death. The time range of this request is Saturday 12th October to Monday 14th October. Staff members refers to all workers recognised as working directly for the First Minister. All emails means emails se...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.28(1) s.39(1) s.34(1) s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-20
Reference
FOI/202400436164
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding Scottish Labour leader comments on Housing Minister: FOI release

All correspondence (including emails) since 24 September in relation to the topic of Labour leader Anas Sarwar calling for Paul McLennan to be sacked from his role as Housing Minister.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-20
Reference
FOI/202400436871
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector