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
161 matching releases

Communications regarding Freedom of Information request: FOI release

Any correspondence (emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes or any other documents) regarding an FOI request that sent on the 5th of May 2021 (reference number 202100199466). I would ask for correspondence between the lead official and/or Scottish Government ministers and/or the SG FOI Unit and/or special advis...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-07-26
Reference
FOI/202100217275
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence relating to former Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work: FOI release

Please provide all Scottish Government correspondence (internal or external) related to Derek Mackay MSP for the one-month period from Monday, February 3, 2020 to Tuesday, March 3, 2020. This would include correspondence involving ministers, MSPs and civil servants.

FOI cost limit 70 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-02
Reference
FOI/202100190045
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Internal emails on specific dates: FOI release

1. All emails sent by Liz Lloyd, Chief of Staff to the First Minister, on 28 and 29 January 2021. 2. All emails sent by any diary secretary or assistant who works for Liz Lloyd, on 28 and 29 January 2021. 3. All emails sent by Leslie Evans, Permanent Secretary of the Scottish Government, to Liz Lloyd on 28 and 29 Janua...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-08
Reference
FOI/202100148280
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

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

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

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

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

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

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

Correspondence regarding Former Finance Minister resignation: FOI release

All correspondence between Scottish Government special advisers and Scottish Government communications staff in relation to allegations about Derek Mackay and his subsequent resignation from government between 5-12 February.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-05-01
Reference
FOI/202000028279
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Flights taken, routes & cost taken in last three financial years: FOI release

1) The number of flights taken by Scottish Government ministers, officials and special advisers broken down by the last three financial years 2) The routes Scottish Government ministers, officials and special advisers have flown broken down by the last three financial years 3) The cost of any flights taken by Scottish ...

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending 2 attachments
Published
2020-04-03
Reference
FOI/202000019787
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Further correspondence from 5th to 12th of February regarding Mr Mackay: FOI release

1) 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. 2) Please provide all ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.39(1) s.17(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2020-03-12
Reference
FOI/202000015900
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP) funding correspondence: FOI release

You asked for all internal Scottish Government correspondence on the subject of or relating to the announcement in the following news release: https://news.gov.scot/news/gbp-60m-for-michelin-scotland-innovation-parc This should include but not be limited to ministers, officials, special advisers and press/comms staff.

FOI released 95 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments
Published
2020-01-13
Reference
FOI/19/02599
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministers and Special advisers internal communication channels: FOI release

Details of all internal communication channels used by Scottish government ministers and special advisers Please provide the name of the platform and the time for which it has been in use This includes, but is not limited to, services such as text messaging, email, Slack channels and Whatsapp chats

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp
Published
2019-09-30
Reference
FOI/201900003700
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister emails to Special Advisers using various accounts: FOI release

FOI-201900002906: How many emails received by Scottish Government special advisers from Nicola Sturgeon using any email address ending in "@gov.scot" or "@scotland.gsi.gov.uk" in June 2019. FOI-201900002907: The number of emails received by Scottish Government special advisers from Nicola Sturgeon while she was using a...

FOI unclear 75 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments
Published
2019-08-21
Reference
FOI/201900002906
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Number of public relations, media and press officers: FOI release

1. The number of public relations, media and press officers/staff employed by the Scottish Government. This should only include civil servants, and not special advisers or political spokesmen/women. 2. The amount of money the Scottish Government has spent paying the salary of these staff in the last three years. 2a. ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score correspondence special advisers spending s.2A s.2 s.38(1)
Published
2018-04-24
Reference
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with Mandy Rhodes: FOI release

Any correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefs or otherwise) from 1 September 2017 to 1 February 2018 between Mandy Rhodes and Scottish Government Ministers, special advisers or communications staff.

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-03-20
Reference
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Scottish Minister FOI e-mail correspondence: FOI release

Emails sent to the FOI SpAds PO email address from Scottish Ministers or their staff or offices in January 2018 Emails sent from the FOI SpAds PO email address to Scottish Ministers or their staff in January 2018

FOI partially withheld 90 score correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2018-03-14
Reference
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector