Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,792releases indexed
39,278attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,073partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,073 unclear 7,195 not held 3,052 released 1,533 already published 668 cost limit 605 clarification 348 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4905 s.20 4252 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3455 s.30 2866 s.17(1) 2763 s.25(1) 2372 s.10(4) 1971 s.11(2) 1559 s.29(1) 1168 s.2 1152 s.3 903

Timeline

2026-05 339 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263 2025-10 217

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,275 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 961 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 919 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 859 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 725 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 631 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
340 matching releases

Shirley-Anne Somerville meetings Sept/Oct 2022: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to the following meetings: Shirley-Anne Somerville's meeting with ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 99 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38 s.38(1) s.29(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
202300338462
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding funding for the recruitment of 3,500 additional teachers: FOI release

All correspondence between John Swinney and COSLA regarding funding for the recruitment of 3,500 additional teachers. All correspondence between Shirley-Anne Sommerville and COSLA regarding funding for the recruitment of 3,500 additional teachers.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-16
Reference
202300360936
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government information in relation to child safeguarding concerns: FOI release

all information held by the Scottish Government in relation to the child safeguarding concerns you raised in 2022 and 2023, including all documents held and communications (emails / letters) both internal and with other third parties such as Education Scotland; and all information held in relation to the review recentl...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 47 working days over deadline correspondence s.38(1) s.25(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-16
Reference
202300353761
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance: FOI release

In your request, you asked for: All correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance regarding budget decisions for the teacher’s pay deal. All correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills regarding budgetary decisions for the teacher’...

FOI clarification 80 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29 s.38(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-09-12
Reference
202300363472
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Parentzone and the School Information Dashboards: FOI release

You asked for the following information: 1. When was this change made? 2. Who took the decision - specifically was it taken by officials at Education Scotland, a committee or specific leadership team? 3. What consultation was undertaken with relevant stakeholders, in particular to seek the opinions of parents, exter...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-09-11
Reference
202300366164
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS): FOI release

All correspondence and publications relating to the Scottish government's links to the OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS), including but not limited to any approach from the OECD offering participation in TALIS, any discussion among ministers and officials about participating in TALIS and any outsi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-06-22
Reference
FOI/202300337030
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence between John Stevenson and Shirley-Anne Somerville: FOI Review

Original request - 202300345249 A copy of the correspondence between Mr John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle and the Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville between November 2022 and Feb 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.38 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-06-08
Reference
FOI/202300349141 Review of 202300345249
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) communications regarding national qualifications in 2021: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, text or Whatsapp messages, phone calls or otherwise) concerning SQA national qualifications in 2021. I would like this information between 17 May 2021 and 29 May 2021. Any communications (including emails, text or Whatsapp messages, phone calls or othe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 337 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-04
Reference
FOI/202100209749
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Home education policy: FOI release

All correspondence between the Scottish Government and COSLA & local authorities on home education policy in the last 5 years.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-05-02
Reference
FOI/202300346960
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence between John Stevenson and Shirley-Anne Somerville: FOI release

A copy of the correspondence between Mr John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle and the Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville between November 2022 and Feb 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-03-30
Reference
FOI/202300345249
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Arrangements for engagements at Tain Academy Campus and Inverness royal Academy: FOI release

The period of the last 6 months all copies of letters/emails/notes/minutes/briefings of correspondence between Scottish government officials and Highland Council officials regarding arrangements for the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills' Ministerial Engagements at Tain Academy Campus and Inverness royal Academ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 50 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-02-28
Reference
FOI/202200334626
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Information provided to the Cabinet Secretary to answer S6T-00784: FOI release

A copy of information or briefing notes provided to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills in order to answer S6T-00784 asked by Willie Rennie MSP in the Chamber on 14th June 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-17
Reference
FOI/202200310397
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Briefing document re class contact time reduction: FOI response

For information in relation to a briefing document contained in a previous request (Our ref: 202200275182). With regard to that information, you requested: I would like to request that all information in this briefing document be released to me, along with any other associated materials such as appendices etc I would ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.14(2) s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2022-08-10
Reference
FOI/202200301612
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Meetings referred to in PQ S5W-36077: FOI release

All materials (prepared in advance of or following) held by the Scottish Government with regard to each meeting referred to in response to the Parliamentary Question S5W-36077. Please include briefings (including ministerial briefings), notes of attendees and internal correspondence.

FOI not held 70 score 48 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.3(2) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-08
Reference
FOI/202100209869
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Section 70 Complaints and Outcomes: FOI release

A summary of all the Section 70 complaints submitted to the Scottish Government along with the outcome. You further clarified on 10 May a date range of 2006-2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence s.70 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-05
Reference
FOI/202200298996
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Internal communications regarding 2022 school examinations: FOI release

The Scottish Government has today confirmed that exams will take place in 2022 (if safe to do so) - https://www.gov.scot/news/national-qualifications-2022/. Please release any internal communication between the Scottish government members and staff (first minister, education secretary, special advisers, learning direct...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 234 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100231959
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding 2022 school examinations: FOI release

The Scottish Government has today confirmed that exams will take place in 2022 (if safe to do so) - https://www.gov.scot/news/national-qualifications-2022/. Please release details of any meetings (dates, attendees, whether it was in person/online/telephone) and associated documents (emails, minutes, briefing documents,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 239 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100231963
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Documentation regarding 2022 National Qualifications: FOI release

The Scottish Government has today confirmed that exams will take place in 2022 (if safe to do so) - https://www.gov.scot/news/national-qualifications-2022/. Please release any documents (such as advice, analysis, briefings, options documents etc) outlining / analysing / considering etc. the options available for nation...

FOI already published 80 score 240 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100231966
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications with Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) regarding exam support materials: FOI release

All communication between the Scottish Government (specifically ministers, special advisers, communications/PR staff and staff from the learning directorate) and the SQA regarding or relating to the exam support materials. The time frame for this request is 1 Jan 2022 to present.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 85 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202200290542
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Free school meal allocations: FOI release

Copies of all correspondence relating to the data used to estimate free school meal allocations and allocate PEF spending. For clarity, I’m looking for all correspondence – email and letter – between ministers, officials and third parties that discusses the quality of the data, any concerns about its usefulness and any...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-22
Reference
FOI/202200304200
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Internal communications regarding SQA appeals: FOI release

All internal communications involving ministers, special advisers and/or learning directorate officials regarding or referring to the appeals system for 2021 SQA results. The time frame for this request is 1/3/2021 - 2/6/2021

FOI partially withheld 90 score 191 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-18
Reference
FOI/202100208812
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Children's health and wellbeing census 21/22: FOI Review

What age children are targeted by the census? A full copy of the census. A copy of the ministerial sign-off of the census. A copy of senior civil service sign-off of the census. A copy of the data privacy risk assessment for the census. All communications with the FM and DFM on the subject of the census. The precise pu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 63 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts s.38(1) s.38 s.29(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.33(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-06-29
Reference
FOI/202200270559 Review of 202100260600
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector