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

s.38(1) 5149 s.20 4430 s.34(1) 3727 s.39(2) 3593 s.30 2994 s.17(1) 2922 s.25(1) 2520 s.10(4) 2060 s.11(2) 1619 s.29(1) 1223 s.2 1222 s.3 958

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

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,312 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 978 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 961 releases · 30.9 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 737 releases · 39.7 avg days Constitution Directorate 702 releases · 35.9 avg days Population Health Directorate 665 releases · 28.5 avg days People Directorate 657 releases · 25.6 avg days
Clear
1,312 matching releases

Scottish Government and Parliament definitions: FOI release

1. What is the Scottish Government ? 2. How many elected individuals form part of the Scottish Government? 3. What is the difference between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament?

FOI unclear 55 score 4 working days correspondence ministers s.25(1)
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400418666
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Parliamentary Portfolio Questions session of 20th March 2024 on Constitution, External Affairs and Culture: FOI release

1. The date on which the Parliamentary Portfolio Questions session of 20th March 2024 on Constitution, External Affairs and Culture was entered into the Ministerial Diary of the Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture 2. Any other engagements in the Cabinet Secretary's diary on 20th March 2024...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.27(1)
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400412097
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Freedom of Information guidance, monitoring the social media profiles of journalists and sex offender name changing: FOI release

1. Could you supply the full internal guidance/guidebook for dealing with FOIs which the Scottish Government abide by, including whether Special Advisers are given first look at them, and what details they are provided with? 2. Could you supply details about whether the Scottish Government monitor the social media pro...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-02
Reference
FOI/202400408156
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Law and order, Public sector

Ministerial responsibilities assigned to Former Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity: EIR release

1. The official list of Ministerial responsibilities assigned to Lorna Slater MSP, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity at September 2021. 2. The official list of Ministerial responsibilities assigned to Lorna Slater MSP, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity at April 2023...

FOI/EIR released 100 score 12 working days correspondence ministers s.6(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-02
Reference
EIR/202400408234
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Letter to the Former First Minister from Ash Regan: FOI release

So it’s just been said on the radio and the tele that Ash Regan has written to the First Minister and that it has to do with the vote of no confidence that he could face. She apparently wrote it today. 1. I’d like to have a copy of that letter or whatever for it was delivered to the First Minister. Her words to him. I...

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-02
Reference
FOI/202400411202
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Circular Economy Bill, oil and gas licences and Keir Starmer correspondence: EIR release

1. a) Could you supply minutes/notes from all meetings Lorna Slater has held about the circular economy bill this year? b) Could you also supply the risk register for the circular economy bill? 2. a) Could you supply a list of all meetings held by Humza Yousaf between October 7 2023 and October 31 2023? b) Could you s...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.5(1) s.10 s.11 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
EIR/202400405191
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Energy, Environment and climate change, +1 more … Public sector

Scottish Budget, Former First Minister's Cabinet reshuffle and trip to Qatar: FOI release

1. All correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Institute for Fiscal Studies about the budget, including internal correspondence, notes, briefings and minutes from any meetings, between December 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including...

FOI already published 80 score 44 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) s.2(1) s.39 s.41 s.47 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400399489
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Economy, Public sector

Freedom of Information (FoI) requests for consideration by Special Advisers: FOI release

1) Since the start of 2024, please provide a list of the FOI's which have been subject to consideration by the FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot email address and/or Special Adviser emails. 2) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot and the FOI Unit since January 1, 2024. 3) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400406282
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Decision Notice 045/2024: FOI release

1) Can you provide me with a list of ministers who received the one-on-one sessions on record keeping as mentioned in the decision notice, and confirm if the First Minister was one of them? 2) Can you confirm when these took place, and who delivered them? 3) Can you confirm if Special Advisers were also trained on th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400406748
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Holocaust Memorial Day Saltire article: FOI release

I understand that the article on the Scottish Government's intranet, Saltire, to make Holocaust Memorial Day was this year published without the ability for Scottish Government civil servants to comment on it. Under FOI legislation, I request: (1) all communications, in whatever form (email, Teams, WhatsApp, etc) abou...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence whatsapp s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-29
Reference
FOI/202400396399
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

UK Covid-19 Inquiry correspondence sent to the Former Deputy First Minister between 3 July – 16 July 2023: FOI release

A copy of correspondence (email, letter and informal messages) including references to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry sent to the Deputy First Minister or her office between 3 July – 16 July 2023 (inclusive). Please provide all copies of attachments sent alongside this correspondence.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-29
Reference
FOI/202400394936
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

UK Covid-19 Inquiry correspondence sent to the Former Deputy First Minister between 1 Oct 2023 – 15 Oct 2023: FOI release

A copy of correspondence (email, letter and informal messages) including references to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry sent to the Deputy First Minister or her office between 1 October 2023 – 15 October 2023 (inclusive). Please provide all copies of attachments sent alongside this correspondence.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-29
Reference
FOI/202400394938
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

UK Covid-19 Inquiry correspondence sent to the Former Deputy First Minister between 26 June 2023 – 2 July 2023: FOI release

A copy of correspondence (email, letter and informal messages) including references to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry sent to the Deputy First Minister or her office between 26 June 2023 – 2 July 2023 (inclusive). For each request please provide all copies of attachments sent alongside this correspondence.

FOI partially withheld 85 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-29
Reference
FOI/202400394961
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Freedom of Information request response times: FOI release

The top 3 slowest FOI responses in each of the last 5 years, including the total length of time it took to respond to each FOI and a short description of the subject of the FOI.

FOI/EIR released 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20
Published
2024-08-27
Reference
FOI/202400422728
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Data Roaming costs incurred by Former Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care of Scotland: FOI release

“Please provide details of all communication Scottish Government officials, special advisers and ministers had with Police Scotland about the data roaming costs incurred by Health Secretary Michael Matheson on a December 2022/January 2023 trip to Morocco, including discussions around police complaints, in the period fr...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202300385206
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care's trip to UAE: FOI release

1. All briefings, notes prepared for ministers, and correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internally, about the UK Government proposing a ban on smoking for those who are 14 and younger, between October 1 and the date of this FOI. 2. Full cost of Neil Gray's trip to UAE between October...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.12 s.27(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202300385956
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Freedom of Information Unit resourcing and staffing numbers: FOI release

(1) The staffing of the central FOI team; (2) The number of civil servants across the Scottish Government responsible for dealing with FOIs? specialist teams or staff devoted to this work? Central records of specialists kept? How many civil servants in Scottish Government have 'FOI' or 'Freedom of Information' or 'EIR...

FOI not held 70 score 10 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.14(1) s.12(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202300388436
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Freedom of Information policy proposals and reform: FOI release

1. How much money has been spent on the Scottish Government looking into FOI reform over the last five years, with a breakdown of each year and what the money has been spent on? 2. How many consultations has the government published about this topic and similar FOI reform over the last ten years, with a list of these?...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.17(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202300386939
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

UK Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee: FOI release

All correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) relating to the Minister for Transport’s invitation to give evidence to the UK Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee on Monday 11 Septem...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 59 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.17(1) s.1 s.38 s.29(1) s.27(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2024-08-14
Reference
FOI/202300377285
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence regarding Scottish Golf Open and Ministerial communications: FOI release

1. All correspondence, including internal correspondence, between the Scottish Government and organisers of the Scottish Golf Open about ministerial appearances at the event between July 13 and 16. 2. All briefings for ministers prepared for the event in question one, plus all minutes from meetings held there and the ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.29(1) s.38(1) s.12 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-14
Reference
FOI/202300381827
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Freedom of Information (FOI) training materials: FOI release

Documentation provided to Government employees for the purpose of training to deal with FOI requests.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-12
Reference
FOI/202300374455
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Various meetings and correspondence relating to former First Ministers: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government to Back Off Scotland and all briefings written for ministers about the group between March 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. Did Humza Yousaf issue an instruction to his cabinet to support Nicola Sturgeon in June after her arrest and all written minist...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.38(1) 8 attachments
Published
2024-08-12
Reference
FOI/202300374275
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

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

Redactions in WhatsAPP/text message documents: FOI Review

Original request 202400404999 All of the "out of scope" redactions in the document at https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi[1]202100255908/ 2. The extent of the redacted material within the 106 page document by using black block within the released document over the redacted content.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 50 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.36(1) s.38(2A) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-07
Reference
FOI/202400410703 Review of 202400404999
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector