Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

20,070releases indexed
34,408attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
7,434partially withheld
2018-05-29oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 7,434 unclear 6,644 not held 2,823 released 1,360 already published 638 cost limit 559 clarification 324 withheld 217 transferred 71

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4608 s.20 3918 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3146 s.30 2674 s.17(1) 2542 s.25(1) 2216 s.10(4) 1829 s.11(2) 1465 s.2 1074 s.29(1) 1073 s.3 843

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 1,133 releases · 27.9 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 873 releases · 31.1 avg days Marine Directorate 853 releases · 29.6 avg days Learning Directorate 781 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 636 releases · 40.0 avg days Population Health Directorate 623 releases · 28.7 avg days Constitution Directorate 609 releases · 36.1 avg days People Directorate 578 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
17 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

Children’s Rights Impact Assessment and Equality Impact Assessment: FOI release

You asked for the following information relating to the Fostering a positive inclusive and safe school environment guidance published on 17 June 2025 1. Child Rights Impact Assessment and the Equality Impact Assessment for this policy. 2. All correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-10-13
Reference
FOI/202500471963
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Correspondence relating to polyamory in education materials: FOI release

Any internal or external correspondence, including any attachments, WhatsApp messages, text messages, instant messaging, memos, OneNotes, minutes, agendas, appendices or other correspondence, relating to polyamory in education materials.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence meetings whatsapp s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-28
Reference
FOI/202400432661
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Microsoft change to licensing rules: FOI release

1. Please confirm on what specific date the Scottish Government was made aware of the potential issues that may arise in schools due to Microsoft changing its licensing rules, meaning accessing Microsoft Word and Powerpoint offline through Glow may cease to be an option for teachers and pupils. 2. Please provide me wi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence meetings whatsapp s.2 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.4 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-23
Reference
FOI/202400422554
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence to and from General Teaching Council for Scotland: FOI release

All John Swinney's correspondence to and from the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and their staff and/or Council members (including email, letter or any other communications which includes text, WhatsApp or any other means , and including a search of deleted items and all servers). The correspondence can b...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-18
Reference
202300355111
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

The decision to close Abernyte Primary School: FOI release

The dates, times and attendees of all meetings, including virtual meetings, conference calls and video conferences, attended by Mr Swinney or Mr Richard Lochhead at which Abernyte Primary School was discussed. Notes, minutes, summaries or records of any meeting attended Mr Swinney or Mr Richard Lochhead in regard to Ab...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-08
Reference
FOI/202200279750
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Internal communications regarding 2022 school examinations: FOI release

The Scottish Government has today confirmed that exams will take place in 2022 (if safe to do so) - https://www.gov.scot/news/national-qualifications-2022/. Please release any internal communication between the Scottish government members and staff (first minister, education secretary, special advisers, learning direct...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 234 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100231959
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding class contact hours for Scottish teachers: FOI release

All correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, WhatsApp, Signal or SMS messages, documents or otherwise) involving the Scottish Government (Ministers, Special Advisers and Civil Servants) regarding proposals to reduce the number of class contact hours for Scottish teachers from the maximu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 36 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-04-07
Reference
FOI/202200286686
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector, Work and skills

Communication relating to 2021 SQA awards: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, text or Whatsapp messages) on the subject of the 2021 SQA Awards. Any communications between the Scottish Government and the SQA on the subject of the 2021 SQA Awards. In both cases I would like this information between 28 June 2021 and 12 Jul...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 127 working days over deadline correspondence whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-01
Reference
FOI/202100226849
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the alternative certification model: FOI review

Your request, reference 202100240609 All correspondence (written letters, emails, text, whatsapp messages, meeting notes) between MSPs and the Scottish Government relating to the alternative certification model. Your review request, reference 202100252557 Please can you provide an update as this response is now late.

FOI already published 80 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.21(4) s.38(1) s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2022-01-24
Reference
FOI/202100252557 review of 202100240609
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Provision of laptops or tablets for school children: FOI review

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, texts or WhatsApp messages) on the subject of the introduction of the provision of laptops or tablets for school children. You would like this information from 20 January 2021 to 20 March 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-17
Reference
FOI/202100202932 review of 202100187590
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Provision of laptops or tablets for school children: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, texts or WhatsApp messages) on the subject of the introduction of the provision of laptops or tablets for school children. I would like this information from 20 January 2021 to 20 March 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-02
Reference
FOI/202100187590
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Introduction of a national tutoring scheme internal communication: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, texts or WhatsApp messages) on the subject of the introduction of a national tutoring scheme for school pupils. I would like this information from 15 February 2021 to 29 March 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-20
Reference
FOI/202100187582
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Internal communications relating to expansion of free school meals: FOI review

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, text or WhatsApp messages, typed or handwritten notes) on the subject of the policy of the expansion of free school meal provision for primary school pupils from 2022. I would like this information from 20 October 2020 to 27 November 2020. I understand ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence briefings whatsapp s.29(1)A s.29(1) s.36(1) s.27(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-15
Reference
FOI/202100135539 review of 202000118815
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Communications concerning exams for Higher and Advanced Higher SQA National Qualifications: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, letters, text or WhatsApp messages, phone calls) concerning exams for Higher and Advanced Higher SQA National Qualifications in the academic year 2020-21. I would like this information from 17 November 2020 to 09 December 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 58 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-04-15
Reference
FOI/202000121887
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communication relating to funding for outdoor education centres: FOI release

Any communications (including letters, emails, text or Whatsapp messages or phone calls) between civil servants and Ministers on the subject of funding for outdoor education centres. I would like this information from 20 August 2020 to 23 October 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38 s.33 s.29 s.38(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/202000113897
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Money and tax, Public sector