Scottish Government FOI Index

16,099releases indexed

25,578attachments found

29.9avg calendar days

5,944partially withheld

2020-11-09oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 5,944 unclear 5,386 not held 2,303 released 996 already published 536 cost limit 470 clarification 234 withheld 178 transferred 52

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 3717 s.20 3156 s.34(1) 2884 s.39(2) 2474 s.30 2180 s.17(1) 2119 s.25(1) 1821 s.10(4) 1480 s.11(2) 1202 s.29(1) 892 s.2 892 s.3 676

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 956 releases · 28.4 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 791 releases · 30.4 avg days Marine Directorate 624 releases · 27.4 avg days Learning Directorate 550 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 532 releases · 27.4 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 513 releases · 29.3 avg days Constitution Directorate 501 releases · 35.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 497 releases · 40.9 avg days

Clear

49 matching releases

Supporting Transgender Pupils in Schools Guidance for Education Authorities and Schools correspondence: FOI release

1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and the office of the First Minister regarding the “Supporting Transgender Pupils in Schools Guidance for Education Authorities...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.29(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-14
Reference: FOI/202500486893
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Equality and rights, Public sector

Mothballing of nurseries and schools review information: FOI Review

Original Request: 202500471247 On what date was the review of mothballing guidance confirmed? (eg on which date was it decided to go ahead with the review, not on which date was the review first mentioned in parliament) On what date did work on the review of mothballing guidance commence? How many staff are currently ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-03
Reference: FOI/202500477128 - Review of 202500471247
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Mothballing meeting material: FOI release

All material related to a meeting on 2 June 2025 involving Orlando Mason and other officials, including invites, briefings, summaries, chat comments, and personal notes.

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25 s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-25
Reference: FOI/202500477090
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and Aberdeenshire Council regarding mothballing of schools and early learning centres: FOI release

All communication between the Scottish Government and Aberdeenshire Council regarding, relating to, discussing, or mentioning the mothballing of schools and/or ELC settings. The time frame specified is January 2022 to 23 July 2025

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25 s.29(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-24
Reference: FOI/202500477087
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Communications and documents regarding mothballing of education settings: FOI release

The advice document sent to Jenny Gilruth on 9 May 2025 regarding mothballing of education settings. All communication held by the Scottish Government regarding the above document.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-24
Reference: FOI/202500477089
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Teacher class contact time reduction: FOI release

The education secretary Jenny Gilruth has said on several occasions that she would like to move “at pace” to deliver on the government’s promise to reduce teacher class contact time by 1.5 hours a week. I would like to request any information held by the government – papers, emails, correspondence with council umbrella...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 101 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-24
Reference: FOI/202500452258
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Education Directorate meetings regarding single-sex toilets in schools: FOI release

All briefings and minutes/notes from meetings held by the Scottish Government, limited to the Education Directorate, about single-sex toilets in schools, between April 10 2025 and July 5 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-09-09
Reference: FOI/202500475593
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Materials and communications related to funding made available to local authorities: FOI release

All materials relating to, regarding, discussing or referring to the £186.5m made available to local authorities, announced in a joint statement from COSLA and the Scottish Government on December 10. All communications between the Scottish Government, government officials, or officers and individual local authorities r...

FOI clarification 80 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-04-10
Reference: FOI/202500449645
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) child protection and safeguarding correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence, agendas and meeting minutes of Jenny Gilruth, Education Minister, and her office, with GTCS apropos child protection and safeguarding. Please also share all correspondence on this matter shared internally by her civil servants and SPADs.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.29 s.36 s.38 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-27
Reference: FOI/202400443517
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Cancelling school meal debt documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received, internal correspondence, minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about cancelling school meal debt, over the previous three months ending the date of your request.

FOI already published 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-21
Reference: FOI/202400442214
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

VAT exemption on private school fees consultation submission: FOI release

A copy of the Scottish Government's submission to the UK Government's consultation earlier this year on ending the VAT exemption on private school fees.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence briefings s.29(1) s.38(1) s.33(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-20
Reference: FOI/202400442217
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Teacher Workforce Planning Advisory Group documentation: FOI release

Detailed information regarding the decision-making process and the evidence utilised by the Teacher Workforce Planning Advisory Group in determining the required number of teachers each year. Specifically, I am interested in understanding: The criteria and methodology used by the group to forecast teacher demand and s...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.29 s.29(1) s.30 s.38 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-09
Reference: FOI/202400437826
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to free school meals discussions: FOI release

Briefings written, analysis written for or by the Scottish Government, all correspondence received and sent by the government, including internally, minutes/notes from meetings, regarding universal free meals for all primary school children, between September 1 2024 and September 30 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-11-28
Reference: FOI/202400437080
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

University correspondence regarding teacher recruitment and employment: FOI release

Copies of email or phone correspondence between the Scottish Government and universities, relating to the following: 1. Teacher Recruitment and Training: Correspondence regarding efforts to recruit and train teachers, including any communications on the availability of teaching placements, training programs, or partn...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2 s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.29 s.33 8 attachments

Published: 2024-11-21
Reference: FOI/202400434722
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

School Meal Debt Fund: FOI release

You asked for us to provide you with the following information for the period up until, and including, the date of your request: 1. What is the total value of funding received so far by local authorities through the Scottish Government’s school meal debt fund (announced in 2024-25 budget and confirmed on May 5 by the ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.17(1)

Published: 2024-10-28
Reference: FOI/202400433124
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Multiple Education funding information: FOI release

1. How much money has been spent on plans to replace the SQA since 2021, with a breakdown of what the money has been spent on? 2. How many teachers have left the profession in the last three years, with breakdown by year. 3. How much money has The School Library Improvement Fund handed out since it was founded and ho...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 62 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.4 s.20 s.10(4) s.5 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.1 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-17
Reference: FOI/202300387346
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Violence in schools, teacher numbers and international student costs: FOI release

1. Could you supply all discussions, documentation and correspondence held by the Scottish Government about violence in schools, including briefings, from the last two months? 2. Could you supply all analysis undertaken for or by the Scottish Government, including briefings and meeting minutes, about the inclusion at ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.27(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.38 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-04
Reference: FOI/202400416498
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Decision not to fund The Head Teacher Leadership Academy (Columba 1400): FOI release

All information showing: - The decision not to fund The Head Teacher Leadership Academy commonly known to Head Teachers as “Columba 1400”. - The reason or reasons given for the decision and by whom the decision was taken. Electronic copy of information is sufficient.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300383005
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Former DFM General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) communications: FOI release

You asked for all communications sent to/from John Swinney when he was DFM, related to the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.29(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-07-10
Reference: FOI/202400416035
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Consultation on minimum number of learning hours: FOI release

How much money has been spent on the Scottish Government looking into the minimum number of learning hours over the last five years, with a breakdown of each year and what the money has been spent on? How many consultations has the government published about this topic and similar policies on the minimum number of lear...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings contracts spending s.25 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.36 s.36(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-05-14
Reference: FOI/202300387204
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Secondary school teacher recruitment and vacancies: FOI release

Information on teacher recruitment and vacancies in Scottish secondary schools together with any unpublished minutes from the Teacher Workforce Planning Advisory Group and information on future meeting dates.

FOI not held 70 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-14
Reference: FOI/202300375416
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Modelling for class contact reduction: FOI release

Any planning / modelling data around the reduction in teachers' class contact time by 90 mins, including local authority and, in the case of secondary schools, subject-specific breakdowns Any information regarding meetings held to discuss this policy. This would include notice of attendees, briefing documents, personal...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.14(2) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202200301620
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Public sector

LEIP scheme projects: FOI release

To list those projects under the LEIP scheme which have reached financial close, and the capital value of each project. To list those projects under the LEIP scheme which are under discussion with local authorities, but have not yet reached financial close, and the likely capital value of each project. To provide insig...

FOI cost limit 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts spending s.12 s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202200302966
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Shirley-Anne Somerville meetings Sept/Oct 2022: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to the following meetings: Shirley-Anne Somerville's meeting with ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 99 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38 s.38(1) s.29(1) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-21
Reference: 202300338462
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) communications regarding national qualifications in 2021: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, text or Whatsapp messages, phone calls or otherwise) concerning SQA national qualifications in 2021. I would like this information between 17 May 2021 and 29 May 2021. Any communications (including emails, text or Whatsapp messages, phone calls or othe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 337 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-05-04
Reference: FOI/202100209749
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector