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
242 matching releases

List of meetings and engagements held by either the Cabinet Secretary for Justice or First Minister: FOI release

A list of meetings and engagements (including telephone calls) held by either the 1. Cabinet Secretary for Justice or 2. First Minister between 16 May 2026 and 19 May 2026 (inclusive).

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2026-11-02
Reference
FOI/202600522692
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Freedom of Information Unit staffing levels and Scottish Information Commissioner Level 3 intervention costs: FOI release

1. I request information on the cost of responding to and complying with the Level 3 intervention launched by the Scottish Information Commissioner on 15th November 2017 and its continuance as of June 2026. I appreciate it has developed over the years to comply with the agreed action plan. When responding, I request ...

FOI not held 45 score 17 working days correspondence spending s.2 s.17(1)
Published
2026-11-02
Reference
FOI/202600523292
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence sent and received by Minister for Victims and Community Safety on 28th May 2026: FOI release

Copies of all emails sent or received by Kirsten Oswald, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, using her official Scottish Government email account or any official ministerial email account, on 28 May 2026. Please include a list of attachments to those emails but not the attachments themselves. For the avoidance...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.39(1) 4 attachments
Published
2026-10-27
Reference
FOI/202600519029
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information regarding the meeting between the First Minister and former UK Prime Minister on May 12 2026: FOI release

Could you supply the full minutes/notes from the phone call between Sir Keir Starmer and John Swinney which took place on Tuesday May 12, as well as any correspondence held about setting it up and analysis afterwards?

FOI not held 70 score 11 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-10-21
Reference
FOI/202600516651
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Assessments of economic impact of granting World Cup public holiday: FOI release

What assessment was carried out by the Scottish Government or by agencies on their behalf to understand the economic impact of their decision to grant an additional public holiday on 15th June 2026 to mark Scotland’s participation in the men's football World Cup finals? Please share any assessments. What is the estima...

FOI not held 45 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.17 s.17(1)
Published
2026-10-21
Reference
FOI/202600513667
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Correspondence sent from specific e-mail addresses to specific email addresses: FOI release

1. Copies of any emails sent by addresses with the handle ‘@gov.scot’ to email addresses with the handle ‘@snp.org’ during the period 1 January 2019 - 5 June 2026 2. Copies of any emails sent by addresses with the handle ‘@gov.scot’ to email addresses with the handle ‘@staff.snp.org’ during the period 1 January 2019 -...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.27(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-10-19
Reference
FOI/202600520240
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister's June 2026 visit to the United States: FOI release

“For the First Minister and his accompanying private secretary, please provide: 1. The complete flight itinerary, including airports, airlines, flight numbers, dates and cabin/class of travel for each sector. 2. The date on which each reservation was originally made and, if different, the date on which the ticket was...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.4 s.5 s.9 s.17(1) s.39(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-10-07
Reference
FOI/202600533814
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Breakdown of spend on social media videos featuring First Minister since May 2024: FOI release

1. Could you supply all correspondence sent and received (including internal), which is to/from or mentions the Scottish Information Commissioner, between February 15 2026 and March 25 2026? 2. How much has the Scottish Government spent on social media videos involving John Swinney since May 2024, with a breakdown per...

FOI not held 45 score 18 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.12(1) s.20 s.12 s.17(1)
Published
2026-08-25
Reference
FOI/202600515097
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister and former First Ministers' correspondence with former Lord Advocate: FOI release

I would like the following information under the FOI (Scotland) Act: When did John Swinney last speak with Dorothy Bain? When did Nicola Sturgeon last speak with Dorothy Bain?

FOI not held 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1)
Published
2026-08-17
Reference
FOI/202600519017
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Administrative records and metadata of Principal Private Secretary for the First Minister communication: FOI release

I am requesting factual, administrative records held by the Scottish Government relating to the text message received by the Principal Private Secretary for the First Minister John Webster on 30 April 2026 at 19:32, as referenced in the official transcription note. For clarity, I am not requesting any content of commu...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.17(1)
Published
2026-08-13
Reference
FOI/202600519688
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Social media spend: FOI release

With regards to a) The Scottish Government as a whole and b) Individual Ministers, for the financial year 2025-26: 1) The total amount spent by a) and b) on paid subscriptions to social media platforms including but not limited to X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, YouTube etc. 2) The total amount spent by a) and b) on ...

FOI not held 45 score 8 working days correspondence ministers contracts spending s.2 s.17(1) s.27(1)
Published
2026-08-10
Reference
FOI/202600521350
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Late Freedom of Information responses that were delayed by Special Advisers: FOI release

Of the FOIs that have been returned late in the last six months, how many have been delayed by Special Advisers? Can you provide the communication from Special Advisers requesting delays for each of these case? On the 27/02/26 we sent a request for clarification to you asking: Of the FOI responses that have been ret...

FOI/EIR unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.17(1)
Published
2026-07-28
Reference
FOI/202600507926
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government’s position regarding public holidays awarded for sporting events: FOI release

Clarification on the Scottish Government’s position regarding public holidays awarded for sporting events, and the principles guiding these decisions. Specifically, you requested a clear explanation of how decisions on public holidays are made, and whether the Scottish Government intends to adopt a more equitable appro...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2026-07-28
Reference
FOI/202600505927
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Home and hybrid working policies for Scottish Government staff: FOI release

I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. I would be grateful if you could provide the following information: 1. What is the Scottish Government's current hybrid working policy, including the minimum number of days per week or month that staff in hybrid roles...

FOI not held 45 score 19 working days correspondence meetings s.5 s.8 s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2026-07-15
Reference
FOI/202600515340
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Freedom of Information vexatious or repeated requests data: FOI Review

Original request 202600510718 1) Please provide the number of Freedom of Information requests refused by the Scottish Government for being vexatious since John Swinney became First Minister. Also provide the same for the time Humza Yousaf was First Minister and the same for when Nicola Sturgeon was First Minister. 2)...

FOI already published 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.14 s.17(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.14(1) s.15(1) s.21
Published
2026-07-13
Reference
FOI/202600514634 Review of 202600510718
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Ministerial expenses of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon: FOI release

In light of the information pertaining to Peter Murrell it is clear that there might have been some fraudulent activity with regards to SNP accounts. Can you please advise and reassure us that the expenses of the former first minister Nicola Sturgeon have been thoroughly checked to ensure that the same invoices were no...

FOI unclear 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1)
Published
2026-05-13
Reference
FOI/202600506652
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

First Minister Branchform update correspondence: FOI release

The Lord Advocate has shared a list of other occasions in which she informed the First Minister of details of criminal cases. The list revealed that on 20th March 2025 the First Minister was informed about Peter Murrell appearing in court, the charge of embezzlement, and an estimated amount of alleged embezzlement amo...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-12
Reference
FOI/202600508326
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Freedom of Information vexatious or repeated requests data: FOI release

1) Please provide the number of Freedom of Information requests refused by the Scottish Government for being vexatious since John Swinney became First Minister. Also provide the same for the time Humza Yousaf was First Minister and the same for when Nicola Sturgeon was First Minister. 2) For each of the above provide ...

FOI transferred 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.14(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.14V 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-06
Reference
FOI/202600510718
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Information regarding the diary and schedule of selected Ministers: FOI release

For each of the following individuals: Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Natalie Don, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety For each of the following dates: 2 April 2025 10 June 2025 14 July 2025 1 October 2025 8 O...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-05-06
Reference
FOI/202500495808
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Independence in Scotland: FOI release

Could you supply all briefings written for John Swinney's interview with Laura Kuenssberg on March 8 as well as all correspondence setting up the interview. He said in the interview: "I think it's now pretty clear in opinion polls that there is a sustained majority support for independence in Scotland." Could you provi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-30
Reference
FOI/202600509980
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

First Minister’s 2025 Christmas card information: FOI release

1. The original image file The original, unedited photograph used on the First Minister’s 2025 Christmas card, including any available metadata (EXIF data). 2. Authorship and provenance Any documents, emails, or internal communications confirming who took the photograph. Any documents recording when and where the phot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-29
Reference
FOI/202600509098
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector