Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,793releases indexed
39,280attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,073partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-05-18newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,073 unclear 7,195 not held 3,053 released 1,533 already published 668 cost limit 605 clarification 348 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4905 s.20 4253 s.34(1) 3568 s.39(2) 3456 s.30 2866 s.17(1) 2763 s.25(1) 2372 s.10(4) 1972 s.11(2) 1560 s.29(1) 1168 s.2 1152 s.3 903

Timeline

2026-05 340 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

Senior Scottish Government staff communication applications: FOI release

Please could you supply a list of all communication apps (e.g. WhatsApp) downloaded onto the smartphones of First Minister First Minister's Private Secretary First Minister's Chief of Staff (a special adviser) Head of Communications & Senior Political Spokesperson for the FM (a special adviser)

FOI not held 40 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp
Published
2020-11-23
Reference
FOI/202000094726
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Minister for Europe and International Development’s ministerial preferences: FOI release

Please provide all documentation regarding Ministerial preferences detailing how the current Scottish Ministers prefer their briefings, speeches and correspondence to be prepared and handled.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.25 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-23
Reference
FOI/202000099767
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills confidence motion correspondence: FOI release

correspondence from members of the public to either the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, or the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP, regarding the no confidence motion against Mr Swinney that was debated on 13 August from 09 August 2020 to 14 August 2020.

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-17
Reference
FOI/202000087835
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Education, Public sector

Correspondence involving Joanna Cherry MP: FOI release

Any mention of Joanna Cherry in communications sent Correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, texts or instant messages, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) by Scottish Government Ministers or Special Advisors to Scottish Government minist...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.36 2 attachments
Published
2020-11-16
Reference
FOI/202000087424
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between the First Minister and the Prime Minister of New Zealand: FOI release

"I want to know how many times Nicola Sturgeon has contacted Jacinda Ardern PM of New Zealand by email and telephone in the past 6 months".

FOI unclear 50 score 16 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2020-11-09
Reference
FOI/202000091242
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, International, Public sector

Scottish Government Special Adviser WhatsApp group titles: FOI release

1. The titles of WhatsApp groups that Scottish Government Special Advisors are in.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp
Published
2020-11-06
Reference
FOI/202000087805
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence concerning Margaret Ferrier MP’s conduct regarding her coronavirus diagnosis: FOI release

I would appreciate if you could provide all correspondence, including emails, letters, encrypted messages, in addition to any briefings, agendas or minutes of meetings pertaining to Margaret Ferrier MP’s conduct regarding her coronavirus diagnosis, between the following individuals: Liz Lloyd Nicola Sturgeon Scottish ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.25 4 attachments
Published
2020-11-05
Reference
FOI/202000095337
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Margaret Ferrier MP: FOI release

Copies of all internal and external Scottish Government correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, texts or instant messages, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) which mention “Margaret Ferrier”. Please limit to the time period 26 September...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2020-11-04
Reference
FOI/202000094155
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Former First Minister complaints: FOI release

1. A copy of the request made on or around 31 October 2017 by David Clegg and/or the Daily Record in which information was sought on whether any complaints had been made about Alex Salmond during his tenure as First Minister. 2. Copies of all documents held by the Scottish Government in which that request was considere...

FOI not held 45 score 8 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.4 s.17(1)
Published
2020-11-03
Reference
FOI/202000099263
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meetings between the First Minister and Chief Constable of Police Scotland: FOI release

1. How many times has the First Minister met with the present Chief Constable of Police Scotland since his first day in office. Can I have the dates of all meetings. 2. How many times has the Permanent Secretary met with the present Chief Constable of Police Scotland since his first day in office. Can I have the dates...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.2 s.25 4 attachments
Published
2020-11-02
Reference
FOI/202000094721
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

The First Minister's office and Special advisers of the Scottish Government: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles not names of individuals) for the First Minister's Office, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government.

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers
Published
2020-10-29
Reference
FOI/202000082245
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FACTS Public Health Campaign: FOI release

What options were being considered by ministers and clinical advisers for Scotland’s public health campaign, which ended up being FACTS. I would appreciate knowing what acronyms, messaging or other were being considered.

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers contracts
Published
2020-10-28
Reference
FOI/202000094026
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Visits carried out by the First Minister in 2014: FOI release

In relation to the information relating to the visits carried out by the First Minister in 2014, can these be broken down as to whether these visits were carried out by the former First Minister or the current First Minister when she took office on 14 November 2014? Can this be broken down for each of the Scottish parl...

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-21
Reference
FOI/202000077290
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Handling of Harassment complaints: FOI release

1. Any correspondence (including letters and emails) either to or from the Permanent Secretary, Leslie Evans, on the subject of the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints. I would like this information from 01 August 2020 to 15 September 2020. 2. Any briefings issued to the Permanent Sec...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.12 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-10-14
Reference
FOI/202000087823
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

First Minister daily media briefings' associated costs: FOI release

Any costs associated with the First Minister's daily media briefings.

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending
Published
2020-10-01
Reference
FOI/202000087097
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government communications: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, text messages, typed or hand-written notes, or phone calls) either to or from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government, Aileen Campbell MSP. I would like this information for 05 May 2020

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-09-15
Reference
FOI/202000064632
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Constituency visits made by First Minister: FOI release

Following the Parliamentary question S5W-24511 by Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP, and subsequently answered by Graeme Dey MSP on 26 August 2019, I wish to have a breakdown of the official visits by the First Minister between January 1 2012 and March 1 2020. Can this be broken down by numbers in terms of Parliamentary const...

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2020-09-14
Reference
FOI/202000065741
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Travel arrangements to/from Shetland Isles in July and August 2019: FOI release

Any flights to/from Sumburgh or Tingwall Airport and any accommodation or subsistence in Shetland Isles during the same period between 20th July 2019 and 5th August 2019 which were paid for ( either directly or indirectly or where flights were requested on any special Government rates) by the Scottish Government, inclu...

FOI not held 70 score 8 working days correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-09-02
Reference
FOI/202000067210
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Scottish Government Ministers’ personal accounts: FOI release

For the past three months: A) number of emails from Scottish Government Minister’s personal accounts received by the Scottish Government; broken down by named minister B) a copy of all emails, sent to the Scottish Government by the following Ministers using their personal email accounts (including SNP.org) Nicola Sturg...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.12
Published
2020-08-26
Reference
FOI/202000054568
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial car journeys: FOI release

i) How many journeys have been carried out in ministerial cars which have not installed protective screens? ii) What was the date of each journey? iii) What was the duration of each journey? iv) What was the reason for each journey? You asked for this information to be broken down (excluding the First Minister) per Cab...

FOI released 75 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1)
Published
2020-07-30
Reference
FOI/202000049288
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

First Minister diary entries, briefings and meetings on specified dates: FOI Release

Any and all diary entries for the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, for the 28, 29 and 30 March 2018. Any and all diary entries for Ms Elizabeth Lloyd, Chief of Staff to the First Minister, for the 28, 29 and 30 March 2018. Any minutes or briefings produced in relation to any meetings that took place on the 28, 29 or 30...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-07-21
Reference
FOI/202000041894
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Flights taken in financial year 2019/20, routes and cost: FOI release

1) The number of flights taken by Scottish Government ministers, officials and special advisers over the financial year 2019/20. 2) The routes Scottish Government ministers, officials and special advisers have flown over the financial year 2019/20 3) The cost of any flights taken by Scottish government ministers, offic...

FOI unclear 75 score 2 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending 2 attachments
Published
2020-05-20
Reference
FOI/202000028715
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Former Finance Secretary Resignation: FOI Review

Please provide the times of discussions between Derek Mackay and Nicola Sturgeon or her advisers (making clear which: Ms Sturgeon or advisers) on February 5 or 6 2020, and please provide the time Mr Mackay resigned (verbally or in writing, and please state which).

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts s.17
Published
2020-05-01
Reference
FOI/202000021811 Review
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to Former Finance Minister resignation: FOI Review

"Please provide all correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Government special advisers, her Chief of Staff and private office in relation to allegations about the conduct Derek Mackay and subsequently his resignation from government between noon on 5 February and 12 February 2020. The response acknowledges...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-05-01
Reference
FOI/202000020636 Review
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector