Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

7,100releases indexed
11,002attachments found
26.0avg calendar days
2,867partially withheld
2024-09-02oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 2,867 unclear 1,842 not held 1,127 released 500 already published 296 cost limit 255 clarification 112 withheld 82 transferred 19

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 1974 s.20 1461 s.34(1) 1456 s.39(2) 1227 s.30 1195 s.17(1) 1022 s.25(1) 898 s.10(4) 763 s.11(2) 607 s.29(1) 519 s.2 448 s.3 342

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 491 releases · 27.4 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 425 releases · 27.5 avg days Marine Directorate 274 releases · 26.7 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 267 releases · 25.4 avg days People Directorate 243 releases · 23.7 avg days Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate 229 releases · 31.2 avg days Population Health Directorate 228 releases · 24.7 avg days Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate 199 releases · 23.6 avg days
Clear
54 matching releases

Correspondence between the First Minister, Director General Economy relating to Global Counsel: FOI release

(1) Can you please send me copies of any and all correspondence, including texts, whatsapps, emails, deleted emails, voicenotes, minutes of meetings, exchanged between Gregor Irwin and Peter Mandelson, or any employee of the firm Global Counsel, or mentioning Global Counsel or Peter Mandelson/Lord Mandelson held by the...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.33(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-23
Reference
FOI/202600506640
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy COP expenses: FOI Review

Original request 202600500549 All communications exchanged by staff, Special Advisers and Ministers relating to FOI 202500497042 relating to Gillian Martin’s COP expenses. For the avoidance of doubt, please include all email, WhatsApp, Teams, Webex conversations or messages.

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-14
Reference
FOI/202600503947 Review of 202600500549
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Director General Corporate, Permanent Secretary and Director of People communications which reference the Civil Service Pension Scheme and Capita: FOI release

(1) ALL emails + WhatsApp messages + Microsoft Teams messages between PERMANENT SECRETARY and DIRECTOR GENERAL CORPORATE which reference CIVIL SERVICE PENSION SCHEME/CAPITA in the past three months; and (2) ALL emails + WhatsApp messages + Microsoft Teams messages between DIRECTOR GENERAL CORPORATE and DIRECTOR OF PEO...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2026-03-30
Reference
FOI/202600501866
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial obligations, conflict-of-interest advice and decision-making in relation to the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry: FOI release

1 — Ministerial Code Compliance and Conflict-of-Interest Assessment All documents, communications, emails, internal notes, records of meetings, briefings, drafts, or advice: concerning any potential, declared, undeclared, perceived or actual conflict of interest arising from Mr Anwar’s relationship with Mr Yousaf, an...

FOI not held 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.5 s.38(1) s.17 s.40(4) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-24
Reference
FOI/202500496961
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence which mentions former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party: FOI release

Firstly, a copy of all WhatsApp messages sent by the First Minister today (19th January) And then: A copy of all WhatsApp messages sent to First Minister today (19th January). A copy of any email sent from the first minister’s inbox that contains name Peter Murrell (in January 2026) A copy of any email sent from Fi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers contracts whatsapp s.17 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202600502246
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications regarding members of the Scottish Parliament: FOI Review

Original request 202500486016 1) Any communications - including texts, WhatsApps, emails, Teams messages, or any other sort of written communications - from Wednesday September 17 to Wednesday September 24 on the topic of Jamie Hepburn. 2) Any communications - including texts, WhatsApps, emails, Teams messages, or an...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-09
Reference
FOI/202500491541 Review of 202500486016
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Release of legally privileged information and use of WhatsApp on Scottish Government phones: FOI release

1. Could you provide how many occasions in the last two years that the Scottish Government has been forced to publicly release legally privileged information, and include what this info was and why it had to be released? 2. Could you supply how many incidents have been recorded of government staff, officials or minist...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-02
Reference
FOI/202500491146
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Diary events for Minister for Parliamentary Business on 18th September 2025: FOI release

The reasons for Jamie Hepburn MSP’s non-attendance at First Minister’s Questions on 18 September 2025. Please provide details of any meetings, events, or other commitments scheduled during that period. Whether Jamie Hepburn MSP was present in the Scottish Parliament at any point on 18 September 2025, and whether he was...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-21
Reference
FOI/202500485183
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence sent or received by the Housing Secretary: FOI release

Please provide the following information between the dates of 11th June and 14th June 2025: All correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) sent or received by the Housing Secretary. All information should include, but not be limited to, a detail...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 94 working days over deadline correspondence whatsapp 4 attachments
Published
2026-01-19
Reference
FOI/202500472618
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Communications regarding members of the Scottish Parliament: FOI release

1) Any communications - including texts, WhatsApps, emails, Teams messages, or any other sort of written communications - from Wednesday September 17 to Wednesday September 24 on the topic of Jamie Hepburn. 2) Any communications - including texts, WhatsApps, emails, Teams messages, or any other sort of written communi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-13
Reference
FOI/202500486016
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Hybrid working policy alignment with climate commitments, infrastructure Costs, and senior leadership discussion: EIR release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I am requesting access to materials regarding the Scottish Government’s hybrid working arrangements, their alignment with Scotland’s climate targets, and associated infrastructure costs. I am particularly focused on how internal discussion has evolved under differen...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.3 s.4 s.6 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.10(5) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2025-12-09
Reference
EIR/202500478223
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector, Work and skills

Scottish Parliament Bureau correspondence regarding parliamentary business: FOI release

1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the First Minister and the Scottish Parliament Bureau regarding parliamentary business for the Scottish Parliament in September 2025. Information should include but not be li...

FOI not held 40 score 8 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp
Published
2025-11-18
Reference
FOI/202500482332
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications related to Scottish Information Commissioner decision notice: FOI release

"For thoroughness, and to eliminate any need for any investigation of the Authority under section 65 of FOISA, the Authority was invited to assist the Commissioner by requesting a voluntary affidavit from the named Special Adviser. It was requested that this clarify the named Special Adviser’s role in the redaction pro...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.65 s.30 s.36(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-25
Reference
FOI/202500470557
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government correspondence with the MSP for Dundee City East: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government and the following email: “dundee@shona.robison.scot”. Information should include but not be limited to a detailed timelin...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.30 2 attachments
Published
2025-08-07
Reference
FOI/202500471344
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between First Minister and Nicola Sturgeon MSP: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the First Minister and the office of Nicola Sturgeon MSP. Information should include but not be limited to a detailed timeline (with dates) of any contact between these individu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-06-26
Reference
FOI/202500456833
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information related to WhatsApp messages: FOI Appeal

Request 202100255908 For the entire month of March, 2021 (inclusive), any WhatsApp or text messages sent or received by any cabinet secretary of the time on government business. Request 202100255912 For the month of August 2021, any WhatsApp messages or text messages sent or received by any government minister on go...

FOI unclear 80 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.28(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-05-02
Reference
FOI Appeal of 202100255908 / 202100255912
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Freedom of Information requests received by the Deputy First Minister: FOI release

How many FOI requests for info come in about Kate Forbes since she started as Deputy? What were they about?

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.20
Published
2025-04-10
Reference
FOI/202500453667
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Former First Minister's trip to Qatar: FOI release

1. I am looking for the number of staffers, anyone from Scotgov or anyone or tasked by Scotgov to accompany and attend with the FM or in support of, or in any capacity whatsoever, that went to Qatar with Humza Yousaf and his wife Nadia El Nakla on February 12, 2024? 2. Did Mr Yousaf and his wife pay for the trip or wa...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 64 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending whatsapp s.39(1) s.32(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-04-08
Reference
FOI/202400401024
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Documents and legal advise relating to decision notice (193/2024): FOI release

In relation to decision notice (193/2024), you asked for: 1) In regards to the legal advice that was released. When were the last edits made to the documents that were released? 2) Any communications (whatsapps, emails, texts anything) by ministers, spads, civil servants discussing when to release the legal advice, w...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38 s.26 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202400445520
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Information regarding the Ministerial Statement: Legal Advice Relating to Scottish Information Commissioner Decision: FOI Review

Original request 202400445432 1) All briefing notes provided to ministers (e.g. John Swinney, Jamie Hepburn) in preparation of the statement to the Scottish Parliament on the 29th of October: Ministerial Statement: Legal Advice Relating to Scottish Information Commissioner Decision by civil servants, SPADs and anyone ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 2 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.21(4) s.25 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.30 6 attachments
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202500452157 Review of 202400445432
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Former Minister for Public Health, Women's Health and Sport WhatsApp messages during the COVID-19 pandemic: FOI Review

Original request (202400395588) I wish to make a Freedom of Information Request for MSP Maree Todds WhatsApp messages from her ministeral role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 61 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.37(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202400405863 Review of 202400395588
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

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

Original request 202400426487 MSP Claire Haughey What's App messages from her ministerial position during the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202400430870 Review of 202400426487
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Shona Robison's Covid 19 WhatsApp messages: FOI Review

Original request 202400427831 MSP Shona Robison's What's App messages from her ministerial position during the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI202400430842 Review of 202400427831
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector