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
369 matching releases

Internal correspondence regarding the Scottish Government from the First Minister: FOI release

All internal correspondence including, emails, letters, minutes and messages regarding the publication of the First Minister's speeches on the Scottish Government website for the last 18 months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400412231
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Resignation of Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care: FOI release

All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internal correspondence, minutes, notes and briefings held, about the resignation of Michael Matheson between January 15 2024 and the date of this FOI?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400397967
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Former First Minister meeting cancellations and resignation: FOI release

1. All correspondence, including internally, briefings and notes about Humza Yousaf cancelling his appearance at the Colleges Scotland conference on Wednesday 24 April, and him being subsequently replaced by Jenny Gilruth, held from between April 22 until the date of this FOI. 2. All correspondence, including internal...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.29 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.41 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400412001
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Former First Minister Bute House guests lists: FOI release

A list of every visitor/guest to Bute House since Humza Yousaf became First Minister and the number of times each guest has visited.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400409833
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Responses to Ministerial Code breach complaints: FOI release

Scottish Government's response to a previous FoI request (dated 15 March 2024, case reference: 202400401399) which had asked for the text of the 20 most recent complaints against Scottish Ministers that were reviewed against the Scottish Ministerial Code, and asked for: "copies of the Scottish Government's response and...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400420598
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Stewart Milne Group housebuilders, greyhound ban, holiday homes council tax, alcohol levy and Middle East Eye interview: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent about Stewart Milne Group housebuilders, including internally, briefings and minutes from any meetings about the company, from between November 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. All briefings and analysis produced by or for the Scottish Government about the ban on greyhound ra...

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 73 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400402718
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Economy, Housing, International, +1 more … Public sector

Freedom of Information guidance, monitoring the social media profiles of journalists and sex offender name changing: FOI release

1. Could you supply the full internal guidance/guidebook for dealing with FOIs which the Scottish Government abide by, including whether Special Advisers are given first look at them, and what details they are provided with? 2. Could you supply details about whether the Scottish Government monitor the social media pro...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-02
Reference
FOI/202400408156
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Law and order, Public sector

Scottish Budget, Former First Minister's Cabinet reshuffle and trip to Qatar: FOI release

1. All correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Institute for Fiscal Studies about the budget, including internal correspondence, notes, briefings and minutes from any meetings, between December 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including...

FOI already published 80 score 44 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) s.2(1) s.39 s.41 s.47 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400399489
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Economy, Public sector

Freedom of Information (FoI) requests for consideration by Special Advisers: FOI release

1) Since the start of 2024, please provide a list of the FOI's which have been subject to consideration by the FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot email address and/or Special Adviser emails. 2) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot and the FOI Unit since January 1, 2024. 3) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400406282
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Decision Notice 045/2024: FOI release

1) Can you provide me with a list of ministers who received the one-on-one sessions on record keeping as mentioned in the decision notice, and confirm if the First Minister was one of them? 2) Can you confirm when these took place, and who delivered them? 3) Can you confirm if Special Advisers were also trained on th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400406748
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Data Roaming costs incurred by Former Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care of Scotland: FOI release

“Please provide details of all communication Scottish Government officials, special advisers and ministers had with Police Scotland about the data roaming costs incurred by Health Secretary Michael Matheson on a December 2022/January 2023 trip to Morocco, including discussions around police complaints, in the period fr...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202300385206
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care's trip to UAE: FOI release

1. All briefings, notes prepared for ministers, and correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internally, about the UK Government proposing a ban on smoking for those who are 14 and younger, between October 1 and the date of this FOI. 2. Full cost of Neil Gray's trip to UAE between October...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.12 s.27(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202300385956
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Scottish Golf Open and Ministerial communications: FOI release

1. All correspondence, including internal correspondence, between the Scottish Government and organisers of the Scottish Golf Open about ministerial appearances at the event between July 13 and 16. 2. All briefings for ministers prepared for the event in question one, plus all minutes from meetings held there and the ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.29(1) s.38(1) s.12 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-14
Reference
FOI/202300381827
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Freedom of Information (FOI) training materials: FOI release

Documentation provided to Government employees for the purpose of training to deal with FOI requests.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-12
Reference
FOI/202300374455
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Various meetings and correspondence relating to former First Ministers: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government to Back Off Scotland and all briefings written for ministers about the group between March 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. Did Humza Yousaf issue an instruction to his cabinet to support Nicola Sturgeon in June after her arrest and all written minist...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.38(1) 8 attachments
Published
2024-08-12
Reference
FOI/202300374275
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Redactions in WhatsAPP/text message documents: FOI Review

Original request 202400404999 All of the "out of scope" redactions in the document at https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi[1]202100255908/ 2. The extent of the redacted material within the 106 page document by using black block within the released document over the redacted content.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 50 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.36(1) s.38(2A) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-07
Reference
FOI/202400410703 Review of 202400404999
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show - Deputy First Minister's interview 19th November 2023: FOI release

All emails, correspondence, WhatsApp messages, text messages and notes in relation to the Deputy First Minister's interview appearance and subsequent cancellation for BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show episode of Sunday 19 November.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2024-07-18
Reference
FOI/202300385699
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Former First Minister's interests correspondence: FOI release

Any internal or external correspondence, including any attachments, WhatsApp messages, text messages, instant messaging, memos, OneNotes, minutes, agendas, appendixes or other correspondence relating to Aamer Anwar being included as a "personal friend" in the First Minister's interests.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-07-04
Reference
FOI/202300390913
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands BBC Shetland interview: FOI release

1. Who was interviewed from the Scottish Government by BBC Shetland on October 4 2023? 2. All briefing notes prepared for their interview. 3. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government setting up the interview and any correspondence sent following the interview, 4. Minutes written from the inter...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-05-21
Reference
FOI/202300390822
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, Public sector

The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

All emails, text messages, WhatsApp's, minutes and other forms of communications of/between Ministers, SPADs, civil servants and other Scottish Government officials regarding/referencing/discussing the court case known as The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23) up ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2024-04-18
Reference
FOI/202300388336
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister's family moving into Bute House: FOI release

Please provide me with any correspondence, briefing notes and memos concerning Humza Yousaf’s family moving into Bute House.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-04-16
Reference
FOI/202300384069
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

NHS funding social media message correspondence: FOI release

This request concerns the following tweet/post on Twitter/X: https://x.com/scotgov/status/1736370730051195272?s=46&t=y9v1mXDn2DQJqjCpgZcKXg Please answer the following questions. In answers where the person or persons concerned cannot be named, please state their positions. 1. Who composed the post/tweet? And who pr...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.1 s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-03-25
Reference
FOI/202300390033
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Information pertaining to WhatsApp messages: FOI Appeal

Request 1: I am writing to you to request the following information. For the month of August 2021, any WhatsApp messages or text messages sent or received by any government minister on government business. Request 2: I am writing to you to request the following information. For the entire month of March, 2021 (inc...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 88 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.17 s.26 s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.19 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-03-15
Reference
FOI Appeal of 202100255908 / 202100255912
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government officials authorised to post on X/Twitter account: FOI release

A list of those persons authorised to tweet from the @scotgov X/Twitter account. If there is a person (or persons) who must approve any tweet from the account, please identify who those persons are.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2024-02-26
Reference
FOI/202300390046
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government special adviser Jeanette Campbell and Angela Constance: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence between Scottish Government special adviser Jeanette Campbell and Angela Constance from 31 March 2023 until present.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-05
Reference
202300359276
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector