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
766 matching releases

Scottish Government communications policy: FOI release

a) In relation to SMP's who administers their inbox by reference to each SMP? b) Where there is an PA/Office Manager (civil service) is used, whether there is a standard rubric that they work to in relation to classifying information received and presenting to the minister? c) In reference to GDPR requests whether th...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings
Published
2024-10-14
Reference
FOI/202400429891
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Public sector

Scottish Government staff guidance on Ministerial replies: FOI release

Is there any guidance issued to the Scottish Government staff on who should get a Ministerial reply, and who should get a reply from officials?

FOI released 95 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-09
Reference
FOI/202400428811
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Law Society of Scotland: FOI release

An explanation as to ‘why the Law Society of Scotland is not listed by you as a public authority under the FOIA 2002 - this means that freedom of information requests cannot be made to them’.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-08
Reference
FOI/202400426941
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

WhatsApp/Text Messages related to Appeal 202100255908: FOI release

Regarding this FOI Appeal https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202100255908/ Please release all the information not released or disclosed or that had a redaction applied in the above FOI request as it is now credible that exemptions applied may have being misapplied or misused, in order to not release some or all of ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.26 s.30 s.28(1) s.29(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-04
Reference
FOI/202400426366
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Costs for the First Minister to visit Germany for the European Football Championships: FOI release

The total cost including flights and personal expenses for Mr. Swinney and his accompanying staff for the visit they made to Germany for the European Football Championships.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.39(1)
Published
2024-10-04
Reference
FOI/202400426320
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Transcripts of the press events for the Building a New Scotland series of independence papers: FOI release

For each of the 13 Building a New Scotland series of independence papers, please provide all Scottish Government transcripts (or other notes) of the press events on the day of their publication.

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-04
Reference
FOI/202400426552
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Gifts that Scottish Ministers received as part of international visits: FOI release

A breakdown of the gifts, and the cost of these gifts, that Scottish Ministers presented as part of international visits during the financial years: 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24.

FOI already published 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-04
Reference
FOI/202400426838
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Gifts given by Scottish Government Ministers: FOI release

1. A list of gifts given by Scottish Government Ministers during external meetings and overseas travel to, for example, other Ministers etc over the last five years. 2. Please include (i) the Scottish Government Minister who gave the gift, (ii) the individual who received the gift, and (iii) the price of this gift.

FOI already published 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-04
Reference
FOI/202400426991
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

E-mails received from Stephen Flynn: FOI release

1. All emails received by Scottish Ministers or their Special Advisers from the email: stephen.flynn.mp@parliament.uk. Please provide any emails received between 6 December 2022 and the present date. 2. Where emails have been received by Scottish Ministers or their Special Advisers from stephen.flynn.mp@parliament.uk ...

FOI released 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers
Published
2024-09-24
Reference
FOI/202400423927
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Former First Minister's messages during the Covid 19 pandemic: FOI release

Nicola Sturgeon's What's App messages during the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.28 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-23
Reference
FOI/202400423476
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Puberty Blocker Correspondence: FOI release

Under FOI I would please like to request all correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) between ministers of the scottish Government and their special advisors mentioning the term 'pube...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-18
Reference
FOI/202400410045
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Celtic FC: FOI release

Any WhatsApp messages or text messages and conversations sent or received by any government minister which include the word 'Celtic', 'Celtic FC', or conversations relating to Celtic FC, during the months of November 2020, December 2020 and January 2021.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-18
Reference
FOI/202400409508
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Emails sent and received by the Former First Minister: FOI Review

Original request - 202400411476 1. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf sent as First Minister from his First Minister email account. 2. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf received as First Minister from his First Minister email account. 3. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf sent as First Minister to em...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 283 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-18
Reference
FOI/202400416176 Review of 202400411476
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Ministerial decisions taken by former First Minister: FOI release

Further to 202400410545, would you please send comparable figures for Humza Yousaf. For ease, you can send from 1 April 2023 - 31 April 2024, so 13 months. For reference, in FOI 202400410545 which you are referring to, you asked: “Would you please provide the number of decisions recorded on eRDM for the above ministe...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-18
Reference
FOI/202400421344
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Former First Minister's tweet on the 35th anniversary of the Lockerbie air disaster: FOI release

1. Could you provide all receipts and expenses claims from Humza Yousaf's trip to New York for Climate Week from September 17 to 21. 2. Could you provide all drafts of Humza Yousaf's official FM account's tweet on the 35th anniversary of the Lockerbie bombing, plus any notes held about why the wording changed etc: htt...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400393771
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Former First Minister's briefing notes on Friday January 5: FOI release

Humza Yousaf's briefing notes on Friday January 5, prepared ahead of a round of broadcast interviews.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400393895
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Former First Minister's speech to the SNP conference: FOI release

All correspondence between the Permanent Secretary and/or his office and the First Minister and/or his private office or Special Advisers relating to the First Minister's speech to the SNP conference on 17/10/23. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include all emails or other electronic communications of any other ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400396121
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Number of times Former First Minister has taken his children on official visits: FOI release

Since becoming First Minister, how many times has Humza Yousaf taken his children on official visits, press events etc. Please provide all documents, emails, briefings, text messages, whatsapps relating to the First Minister bringing his children to work events, visits etc and their provision of care.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400396167
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Resignation of Mr Matheson as Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care: FOI release

The exact time and format in which Michael Matheson first informed Humza Yousaf of his resignation as Health Secretary and please provide the documentary evidence of this (the original email/WhatsApp/text) as well as Humza Yousaf's response). All discussions from the Scottish Government planning press lines or media r...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400398386
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector