Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

22,922releases indexed
40,952attachments found
29.5avg calendar days
8,507partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-11-04newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,507 unclear 7,460 not held 3,292 released 1,599 already published 716 cost limit 637 clarification 377 withheld 251 transferred 83

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5225 s.20 4485 s.34(1) 3789 s.39(2) 3640 s.30 3038 s.17(1) 2981 s.25(1) 2557 s.10(4) 2089 s.11(2) 1639 s.29(1) 1249 s.2 1245 s.3 980

Timeline

2026-11 48 2026-10 227 2026-09 8 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,336 releases · 27.8 avg days Marine Directorate 991 releases · 29.7 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 972 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 741 releases · 39.6 avg days Constitution Directorate 710 releases · 35.8 avg days Population Health Directorate 678 releases · 28.6 avg days People Directorate 667 releases · 25.5 avg days
Clear
5,225 matching releases

Hospitality business owners' correspondence: FOI release

1. Copies of any emails received by Scottish Ministers from 1 August 2020 to date from anyone identified as owners of a hospitality business such as a bar, a restaurant, a café, a nightclub or similar. 2. How many meetings have Ministers in the Scottish Government had with anyone identified as owners of a hospitality b...

FOI cost limit 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-04
Reference
FOI/202000092800
Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Children's soft play centres correspondence: FOI release

Copies of any emails received by Scottish Ministers from 1 August 2020 to 30 September 2020 from anyone identified as owners or operators of children’s indoor or soft play centers or similar. You also asked how many meetings have Ministers in the Scottish Government had with anyone identified as owners or operators of ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.1(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-04
Reference
FOI/202000092805
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Children and families, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, +1 more … Public sector

Outdoor education centres communications: FOI release

"Any communications (including letters and emails) from members of the public to the Scottish Government regarding outdoor education centres. I would like this information from 08 August 2020 to 08 October 2020."

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.38 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-04
Reference
FOI/202000096748
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Scottish Licenced Trade Association (SLTA) correspondence: FOI release

1. Copies of any correspondence such as letters, emails or otherwise received by Ministers in the Scottish Government from the Scottish Licensed Trade Association from 1 June to date of submission. 2. Copies of any correspondence such as letters, emails or otherwise sent by Ministers in the Scottish Government to the S...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2020-11-04
Reference
FOI/202000092794
Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Business, industry and innovation, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, +1 more … Public sector

Correspondence regarding Margaret Ferrier MP: FOI release

Copies of all internal and external Scottish Government correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, texts or instant messages, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) which mention “Margaret Ferrier”. Please limit to the time period 26 September...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2020-11-04
Reference
FOI/202000094155
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Correspondence concerning the SQA 2020 exam moderation process: FOI release

All correspondence/advice/emails/documents/papers advising against the moderation process being put in place by the Scottish Qualifications Authority for this year’s school national qualification results. Including any correspondence/advice/emails/documents/papers sent to, or seen by, John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-03
Reference
FOI/202000077980
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Association of Scotland's Self Caterers (ASSC) COVID-19 exemption: FOI release

All documents or transcripts relating to the legal advice or clarification provided to the Association of Self Catering Scotland on 22 September 2020 regarding the exemption granted to all self catering accommodation Scotland from the single two households only rule. This has been widely publicised by ASSC on social me...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.38(1) s.2 s.3 s.4 s.7 4 attachments
Published
2020-11-03
Reference
FOI/202000090205
Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Briefings and minutes of meetings with Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) concerning 2020 awards: FOI release

Minutes of any meetings, and any briefings produced for these meetings, between the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, and the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP, that are (at least in part) on the subject of the 2020 SQA Awards. I would like this information from 25 July to 20 August. Any cor...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-03
Reference
FOI/202000087831
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Stirling Council revised term dates: FOI release

Correspondence between Scottish Government and Stirling Council on the subject of revised term dates and expectations of education.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-02
Reference
FOI/202000077293
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) awards model: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, letters, text messages, typed or hand written notes, phone calls or otherwise) regarding the 2020 SQA awards model. I would like this information from 06 August to 11 August.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence whatsapp s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-02
Reference
FOI/202000074160
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Tenders for the Scottish Employer Skills Survey (ESS) 2020: FOI release

Full copies of each of the tenders submitted in response to the Scottish Government's Invitation to Tender for the Scottish Employer Skills Survey (ESS) 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence contracts s.38(1) s.33(1) 32 attachments
Published
2020-10-29
Reference
FOI/202000092363
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) 2020 awards and qualifications certification model: FOI release

All communications (including emails, letters, text messages, hand written or typed notes) between the Scottish Government and the SQA on the subject of the moderation process for the 2020 awards and qualifications certification model. I would like this information from 01 July 2020 to 04 August 2020. All communication...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-28
Reference
FOI/202000071396
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

University guidance regarding COVID-19: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence between the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, and Universities Scotland on issues relating to the university sector response to coronavirus, relating to preparations of the new university term. From 1 June to 28 Septe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-28
Reference
FOI/202000091780
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Information relating to parental alienation: FOI review

The Scottish Parliament Justice Committee published its Stage 1 Report on the Children (Scotland) Bill on May 1st, 2020, Whereby it is stated: “The Scottish Government consulted on the inclusion of a specific factor relating to parental alienation but ultimately decided against it. Scottish Government officials told t...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.12 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-21
Reference
FOI/202000076045
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Law and order, Public sector

First Minister, Deputy First Minister and SQA 2020 exam methodology correspondence: FOI release

1. All briefing notes, meetings, minutes, memos, emails and written notes regarding meetings between Education Secretary John Swinney and the Scottish Qualifications Authority regarding the marking and grading methodology for the 2020 Scottish National 4, National 5 and Higher qualifications. 2. All briefing notes, me...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-21
Reference
FOI/202000072824
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence on the marking and grading methodology for 2020 exam results: FOI release

1. All briefing notes, meetings, minutes, memos, emails and written notes regarding meetings between any Cabinet Secretary, minister, advisor or representative of the Scottish and the Scottish Qualifications Authority regarding the marking and grading methodology for the 2020 Scottish National 4, National 5 and Higher ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2020-10-20
Reference
FOI/202000072834
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the Scottish Government withdrawal from UK wide joint work on the internal market: FOI release

Copies of any correspondence (emails, letters, hand-written notes, whatsapp messages, internal briefings, minutes and details of calls and/or otherwise) between civil servants and/or special advisors and/or Scottish Government Cabinet members regarding the Scottish Government’s decision to withdraw from UK wide joint w...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-20
Reference
FOI/202000072459
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Economy, Public sector

The impact of SQA moderation on measures of socio-economic inequality: FOI release

All briefings, analysis, reports, notes or other documentation held regarding the impact of the SQA results moderation process on different SIMD categories (or any other measure of socio-economic inequality such as free school meals) The time frame for this request is 19 March 2020 - present

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2020-10-19
Reference
FOI/202000070661
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Education, Equality and rights, +1 more … Public sector

Correspondence and consultation regarding the grading for 2020 SQA exams: FOI release

1. All consultation responses from academics, policy experts and stakeholders supplied to the Scottish Government regarding this year’s grading system for SQA exams. 2. All correspondence between academics, policy experts, stakeholders and the Scottish Government which contains advice regarding this year’s grading for...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.2 s.5 s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-19
Reference
FOI/202000071159
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Travel advice during Pandemic: FOI Review

i Source, analysis and all correspondence relating to the “thorough review” of the decision to add Spain to 57 other countries from which incoming travellers will not have to isolate when they arrive in Scotland on 20 July 2020; ii Source, analysis and all correspondence relating to the decision of the Scottish Govern...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.30 s.3(2) s.32(1) s.33(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2020-10-15
Reference
FOI/202000087775
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, International, Public sector

Correspondence between John Swinney and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA): FOI release

Any correspondence (including letters, emails, text messages, typed or hand written notes, phone calls or otherwise) between the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP, and the SQA. I would like this information between 06 August and 11 August.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-14
Reference
FOI/202000074058
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Briefings on food products: FOI release

1) Any Scottish Government correspondence from May 2018 to present, either internal or external, concerning the use of British branding on Scottish food and drink products (including but not limited to union jacks and the words ‘British’ and ‘UK’). External correspondence may include that with food or drink producers o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-14
Reference
FOI/202000088253
Directorate
International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Economy, International, +1 more … Public sector

Settlement Agreements and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA): FOI release

1. The number former employees that have signed an NDA or a compromise agreement upon leaving the Scottish Government 2. The total financial cost of each agreement, including pay in lieu of notice, payments to reflect lost earnings, pensionable pay, etc. 3. The reason for the payment (i.e. bullying, sexual harassment, ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.38(1) s.20 s.34(1)
Published
2020-10-06
Reference
FOI/202000038968
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Procurement of face masks supplied to staff: FOI release

1. What type of masks are procured and supplied to staff – cloth masks, Surgical masks, N95 professional grade medical masks? 2. What is the cost per unit on the masks? please provide the monthly cost if possible. 3. How many face masks have been supplied per month since March 2020? 4. The person in the organisation re...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence contracts spending s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2020-10-05
Reference
FOI/202000085142
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence concerning the wearing face coverings in schools: FOI release

Any correspondence (including letters and emails) between local authorities and the Scottish Government on the subject of the wearing of facemasks (or face coverings) in schools. I would like this information from 01 August 2020 to 05 September 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-01
Reference
FOI/202000085898
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector