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
171 matching releases

BBC Question Time Programme: FOI release

Any emails sent from Scottish Government email addresses, between 27 March 2023 and 21 June 2024, containing references to the BBC Question Time programme.

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers s.30 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-08
Reference
FOI/202400420003
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

First Minister attending the memorial service for the late Alistair Darling: FOI release

Any electronic or postal correspondence that the Scottish Government holds regarding the First Minister attending the memorial service for the late Alistair Darling on 19 December 2023.

FOI released 100 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.31 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2024-06-05
Reference
FOI/202300390476
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Bute House Agreement meetings: FOI release

How many Scottish Government Cabinet meetings Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater have attended since the Bute House Agreement and the present day and when each of these meetings were attended for each of the two Greens ministers. I would also like to know why they attended each Cabinet meeting and what was discussed.”

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30
Published
2024-04-30
Reference
FOI/202400402561
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

Meetings the First Minister has attended between and including - 1st October 2023 and 31st January 2024: FOI release

1. A list of meetings the First Minister of Scotland has attended between and including - 1st October 2023 and 31st January 2024. 2. A list of these meetings that have minutes available as to their content. 3. A list of these meetings that do not have minutes available or minutes are not being provided for public vie...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.27(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.4
Published
2024-04-15
Reference
FOI/202400396967
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

Jason Leitch WhatsApp messages: FOI release

Correspondence on the topic of how to respond to a media enquiry from The Times newspaper about Jason Leitch deleting his WhatsApp messages each day and any resulting follow-up enquiry by other journalists or publications. This should include, but not be limited to, discussions between civil servants, special advisers,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.30 s.38 s.36 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-20
Reference
FOI/202400394859
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

National Clinical Director WhatsApp messages: FOI release

All internal communications, including emails and informal electronic communications, which relate to the gathering of information in relation to this denial, the formulation of the denial and the signing off of the denial ("It is not correct to suggest that the National Clinical Director deleted every WhatsApp message...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.30 s.38 s.36 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-20
Reference
FOI/202400394753
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Alleged ministerial code breach by Jenny Gilruth: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish government, Humza Yousaf and Jenny Gilruth over her allegedly breaching the ministerial code over delaying rail works in her constituency, 2. Has an investigation been started by the First Minister into this incident after he promised to do so on 18 May? 3. If s...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38 s.36 s.30 s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2024-01-05
Reference
202300361845
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

Decision making process surrounding the FMEL ferries: FOI release

On 3 May 2022 John-Paul Marks appeared in front of the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee. He was answering questions on the decision making process surrounding the FMEL ferries. In particular he was asked if the failure to properly keep written records of decision making process was a breach of the law. He stated t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings contracts s.30 s.33(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-21
Reference
202200298441
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information relating to National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication: FOI Review

Further to my letter of 4 August, I have now completed my review of our response to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for correspondence, records or minutes of any meetings regarding discussions over protests at the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication, including discu...

FOI already published 80 score 18 working days correspondence meetings s.30 s.25 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-15
Reference
FOI - 202300369630 review of 202300365029
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to Nicola Sturgeon's trip to Italy: FOI release

Any correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon, her office, special advisers and MSPs in the week leading up to her trip to Bellagio in Italy about the trip. - if this costs too much, lessen the timeframe to five days before the trip and the day of the trip or take the MSPs out. Briefing notes prepared from any meetings th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-11
Reference
202200311801
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance’s meeting with Ross Greer MSP: 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 Shona Robison's meeting with Ross Greer on April 12 All internal...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 59 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-11
Reference
FOI/202300369457
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding the Scottish Labour conference and the Labour Party in general: FOI release

Internal correspondence between the press office and from the press office to Scottish Ministers and special advisers in September or October 2021 on Labour conference or Labour generally.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200291468
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications correspondence on Greensill Capital and others: FOI release

Any internal or external correspondence between the Communications department, senior civil servants, ministers, and/or Special Advisers discussing media requests for comment or interview around issues relating to GFG Alliance, Sanjeev Gupta, Dalzell steelworks, or Greensill Capital, from April 1, 2022, to date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200321975
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic

Correspondence between Scottish Ministers and the Press office regarding the Scottish Green Conference or party in general: FOI release

Internal correspondence between the press office and from the press office to Scottish Ministers and special advisers in March 2022 on the Scottish Green conference or the Scottish Greens generally.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38 s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
202200291466
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to devolved vs reserved matters: FOI release

1. Any correspondence held by the Scottish government between the permanent secretary John Paul Marks and the cabinet secretary Simon Case, in relation to devolved vs reserved matters. By this I mean things like the constitution and foreign affairs – potential examples would be the subject of a “minister for independen...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.17(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300367840
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

FM meetings: FOI Review

You requested a review stating the following: “I am writing to you to request an internal review of this decision. I do not believe the exemptions apply to all the information, particularly the briefing documents, and have been applied far too liberally. In any case, the public interest is in favour of disclosure.”

FOI already published 80 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.41 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-01
Reference
FOI/202300362913 review of 202300338437
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Patrick Harvie's expenses for trip to Rome: FOI release

In the ministerial engagements for October 2022 there are various details pertaining to a trip by Patrick Harvie to Rome which it shows he used to attend the Europe Regional Meeting, but there is also a domestic trip to London at the same time. He has claimed the following expenses, can you please detail how Mr Harvie...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-24
Reference
202300347103
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Media requests for interviews with Scottish Government: FOI release

A full list of requests from the media to speak to Scottish Government cabinet secretaries and ministers between March 30 and April 10 including who requested, who they requested, acceptance/rejection and why the invitation was rejected.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-23
Reference
202300350564
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Royal Household handling of requests: FOI release

Accordingly, please provide any information held by the Scottish Government in relation to the following matters: How any request by the Royal Household for information in relation to a Bill for which consent is sought, or any objection to the Bill’s content, are to be handled, including any general policies or practi...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.20 s.30 s.36(1) s.41
Published
2023-10-11
Reference
202300359750
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector