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

s.38(1) 5149 s.20 4430 s.34(1) 3727 s.39(2) 3593 s.30 2994 s.17(1) 2922 s.25(1) 2520 s.10(4) 2060 s.11(2) 1619 s.29(1) 1223 s.2 1222 s.3 958

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

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,312 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 978 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 961 releases · 30.9 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 737 releases · 39.7 avg days Constitution Directorate 702 releases · 35.9 avg days Population Health Directorate 665 releases · 28.5 avg days People Directorate 657 releases · 25.6 avg days
Clear
1,312 matching releases

Public Relations (PR) spend by the Scottish Government: FOI release

1. Total annual expenditure, from 2015 to present, annually, on public relations firms by: a. The Scottish Government b. All public bodies (broken down by public body) 2. Total annual expenditure, from 2015 to present, annually, on public relations firms by the Scottish Government, broken down by PR firm hired. 3. ...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.17(1)
Published
2024-11-04
Reference
FOI/202400433499
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Number and cost of press, communications and media officers: FOI release

1. The total number of full-time equivalent (FTE) press and/or communications and/or media officers employed over the last five financial years (broken down by year). 2. The total cost (including salaries, benefits, and other associated costs) of employing these press and/or communications and/or media officers over t...

FOI unclear 50 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence spending
Published
2024-11-04
Reference
FOI/202400433761
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Former Cabinet Secretary for Finance WhatsApp messages from ministerial position during the Covid 19 pandemic: FOI Review

Orginal Request 202400422240 ‘MSP Kate Forbes’ WhatsApp messages from her ministerial role during the COVID-19 pandemic’.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-01
Reference
FOI/202400426539 Review of 202400422240
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Former First Minister WhatsApp messages during Covid-19 pandemic: FOI release

Humza Yousaf's WhatsApp messages during the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.28 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-01
Reference
FOI/202400425739
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Guidance for briefings for each Scottish Government Minister: FOI release

The guidance and templates for briefings for every Scottish Government Minister currently in post.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-31
Reference
FOI/202400432765
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Mobile phone usage of Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice: FOI release

You asked for confirmation of whether or not the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice has a government mobile and whether or not it is used for sending text or WhatsApp messages, as well as a copy of all messages sent and received on the 7th October, 8th October and 9th October.

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp
Published
2024-10-28
Reference
FOI/202400435419
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice given to the Scottish Government/ministers in reference to The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23): FOI Appeal

Original request - 202300390057 All legal advice given to the Scottish Government/ministers in reference to the court case known as The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23). This includes legal advice given in relation to the decision to appeal, as well as advice i...

FOI unclear 80 score 160 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-26
Reference
FOI/202400394394 - Appeal
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Communications mentioning specific MSPs: FOI release

All mentions of 22 MSPs in Scottish Government documents and communications since the 1st January.

FOI cost limit 45 score 18 working days correspondence briefings spending s.12
Published
2024-10-24
Reference
FOI/202400432958
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence from senior civil servants including specified phrases: FOI release

‘Between 23 April and 1 June 2024, any e-mails or correspondence from senior civil servants including the phrase “SNP leadership contest”, “SNP leadership”, “leadership contest” or “leadership race”.’

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-23
Reference
FOI/202400432062
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government documents mentioning specified MSPs: FOI release

All mentions of 30 MSPs in Scottish Government documents and communications since the 1st January.

FOI cost limit 45 score 16 working days correspondence briefings spending s.12
Published
2024-10-22
Reference
FOI/202400432513
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Gifts given by Scottish Government Ministers: FOI Review

Original request 202400426991 1. A list of gifts given by Scottish Government Ministers during external meetings and overseas travel to, for example, other Ministers etc over the last five years. 2. Please include (i) the Scottish Government Minister who gave the gift, (ii) the individual who received the gift, and (...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.17(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-21
Reference
FOI/202400431907 Review of 202400426991
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Media bids for Minister for Veterans and the Minister for Higher and Further Education: FOI release

Details of all the media bids for Graeme Dey since his appointment Minister for Higher and Further Education and Minister for Veterans; Can you indicate if those media bids were successful or unsuccessful? Can you also release all correspondence about media bids?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.30 s.29(1) s.29 4 attachments
Published
2024-10-21
Reference
FOI/202400431940
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications between the Scottish Government and UK monarchy: FOI release

Please share any communications exchanged between the government and the UK monarchy or their representatives from 21 February 2023 to the present date, which relate to: Laws and Legislation The Crown Estate Property or assets owned by the monarchy Crown consent Carbon emissions Deer Please include all communication ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.41 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-16
Reference
FOI/202400431736
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

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

Original request 202400427867 MSP Mairi Gougeon's What's App messages from her Ministerial position during the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-15
Reference
FOI/202400432336 Review of 202400427867
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Scottish Government communications policy: FOI release

a) In relation to SMP's who administers their inbox by reference to each SMP? b) Where there is an PA/Office Manager (civil service) is used, whether there is a standard rubric that they work to in relation to classifying information received and presenting to the minister? c) In reference to GDPR requests whether th...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings
Published
2024-10-14
Reference
FOI/202400429891
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Public sector

BBC complaints documentation: FOI release

All documentation held, including correspondence (internal as well), minutes/notes from meetings, about complaints to BBC and BBC Scotland about articles or news broadcasts, from the last three months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence meetings s.38(1) s.38 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-11
Reference
FOI/202400429954
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Press release for drug misuse death statistics: FOI release

The first draft of the press release where Neil Gray comments on the drug misuse deaths statistics for 2023 and all subsequent drafts until the final version was approved and sent. Please provide the full correspondence starting from the date on which the first draft was written, include all comments and feedback from...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-10
Reference
FOI/202400429362
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Censorship of consultation responses: FOI release

Responses to the following Government consultation have blocks of text replaced with "Redacted text": https://consult.gov.scot/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/scottish-climate- adaptationplan/consultation/published_select_respondentshow_all_questions=0&sort=submitted&order=ascending&_q__text=redacted 1) Policie...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence s.4 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-09
Reference
FOI/202400430514
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government staff guidance on Ministerial replies: FOI release

Is there any guidance issued to the Scottish Government staff on who should get a Ministerial reply, and who should get a reply from officials?

FOI released 95 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-09
Reference
FOI/202400428811
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Law Society of Scotland: FOI release

An explanation as to ‘why the Law Society of Scotland is not listed by you as a public authority under the FOIA 2002 - this means that freedom of information requests cannot be made to them’.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-08
Reference
FOI/202400426941
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector