Scottish Government FOI Index

12,099releases indexed

20,414attachments found

29.1avg calendar days

4,755partially withheld

2023-01-05oldest in sample

2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 4,755 unclear 3,519 not held 1,785 released 854 already published 438 cost limit 394 clarification 184 withheld 130 transferred 40

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 2997 s.20 2635 s.34(1) 2278 s.39(2) 2079 s.30 1822 s.17(1) 1579 s.25(1) 1420 s.10(4) 1249 s.11(2) 1008 s.29(1) 738 s.2 627 s.6(1) 524

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 775 releases · 27.9 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 676 releases · 29.3 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 484 releases · 29.5 avg days Marine Directorate 480 releases · 27.0 avg days Population Health Directorate 419 releases · 25.8 avg days Environment and Forestry Directorate 399 releases · 34.0 avg days Economic Development Directorate 369 releases · 42.7 avg days People Directorate 360 releases · 26.5 avg days

Clear

15 matching releases

Correspondence relating to the First Minister's international visits: FOI release

I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. This request concerns First Minister John Swinney's visit to Washington DC between 7-10 September 2025, his interactions with Lord Peter Mandelson (then UK Ambassador to the United States), and any knowledge or discussi...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.17 s.25 s.27(1) s.28(1) s.32(1) s.33(1) s.38 s.28 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-04-21
Reference: FOI/202600505172
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

UK Energy Profits Levy documentation: EIR release

Your request, covering the timeframe from 1 September 2021 up to 26 May 2022 inclusive, asked for: 1. All correspondence, briefings, representations, or communications (including, but not limited to, emails, letters, minutes of meetings, internal briefing notes, WhatsApp or other messaging app messages, and any attach...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 44 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-03-30
Reference: EIR/202500496916
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Money and tax, Public sector

Policy on Deletion of Messages on Apps during Covid-19: FOI release

1. Provide full and transparent details on 'the government policy used to permit the deliberate deletion of public data, and evidence, from Whatsapp during COVID" expressed by Anas Sarwar during First Ministers Questions - 20th November 2025 in Hollyrood. First Minister John Swinney's response was, and I quote: "...To...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts whatsapp s.2 s.17(1)

Published: 2026-02-23
Reference: FOI/202500495382
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Release of legally privileged information and use of WhatsApp on Scottish Government phones: FOI release

1. Could you provide how many occasions in the last two years that the Scottish Government has been forced to publicly release legally privileged information, and include what this info was and why it had to be released? 2. Could you supply how many incidents have been recorded of government staff, officials or minist...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-02-02
Reference: FOI/202500491146
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence regarding SSEN’s Kintore to Tealing Overhead Line: EIR release

I request copies of all correspondence and information relating to meetings between: the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy or any other Scottish Government minister or official (including officials within the Energy Consents Unit and any other relevant Scottish Government directorate) and the Chief Execu...

FOI/EIR already published 80 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.37 s.2 s.3 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.6(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2026-01-27
Reference: EIR/202500496928
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

President of the United States visit materials: FOI release

1. All correspondence (including Whatsapp, text message, email and postal correspondence) regarding Donald Trump's visit to Scotland at the end of July, between government ministers and government staff and external agencies. 2. All minutes of meetings regarding the visit. 3. All minutes of the meeting between John S...

FOI cost limit 70 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.2 s.12 s.27(1) s.32(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2025-11-20
Reference: FOI/202500478083
Directorate: Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Meetings attended by the First Minister at Tartan Week: FOI release

I understand that First Minister John Swinney attended New York City Tartan Week on behalf of the Scottish Government. Please provide me with: 1. A list of meetings attended by the First Minster, along with all other attendees of these meetings. 2. A list of any other meetings attended by Scottish Government official...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.2 s.3 s.38(1) s.33(1) s.28(1) s.30 6 attachments

Published: 2025-07-21
Reference: FOI/202500461357
Directorate: Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, International, Public sector

Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy meetings: FOI release

1. A list of meetings attended by Ms Martin, along with all other attendees of these meetings. 2. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) sent by the office of Ms Martin, or Ms Martin herself relating to meetings attended at COP 29. Infor...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.2 s.38(1) s.39(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2025-01-17
Reference: FOI/202400442834
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

NHS winter planning correspondence: FOI release

1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages, or any other documents) between Scottish Government Officials and NHS Scotland regarding winter planning for the NHS in the winter of 2024/25. Information should include, but not be limited to, a detailed timeline (with...

FOI cost limit 45 score 16 working days correspondence spending whatsapp s.1 s.12 s.2

Published: 2024-10-11
Reference: FOI/202400430298
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, 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

Policy on deletion of WhatsApp messages: FOI release

1. A copy of Scottish Government policy as at 2007, when Mr Salmond became First Minister, and which explained the process and procedure to be followed around transferring salient points of messages relating to government business from such as WhatsApp messages [and including any other similar apps] on mobile phones us...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.2 s.6 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-29
Reference: FOI/202400400901
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Rural Support Draft Plan: EIR release

1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between Scottish Government Officials within the Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate regarding a draft Rural Support Plan. Information should include but not be limited to a detailed timelin...

FOI/EIR already published 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.2 s.27T s.3

Published: 2024-06-17
Reference: EIR/202400406979
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

Various questions regarding COVID-19: FoI release

1. How many of Humza Yousaf's cabinet use their personal emails for government business? List of who does. 2. What was the final outcome of Ruth Charteris investigating into missing WhatsApps as referenced here: https://news.sky.com/story/scotlands-first-minister-humza-yousaf-to-fully-investigate-concerns-messages-not-...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending whatsapp s.2 s.17(1) s.3 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-09
Reference: FOI/202400392573
Directorate: Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public safety and emergencies, +1 more … Public sector

Government supplied electronic devices: FOI release

1. For each minister, a list of government supplied electronic devices. This should include but not be limited to iPads, laptops, or phones. 2. For each ministerial government device, confirmation as to whether each has the following apps or software installed. WhatsApp Facebook Instagram Twitter (X) Signal Telegram ...

FOI released 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.2

Published: 2024-01-23
Reference: FOI/202300384829
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Meta data request regarding FOI 202200299795: FOI release

The following information under FOISA as it relates to FOI request 202200299795. 1) Any and all correspondence within the Scottish Government, in particular including special advisers, relating to the above request. For clarity, the correspondence should include - but not be limited to - emails, WhatsApp messages and p...

FOI not held 70 score 85 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers meetings whatsapp s.2 s.17 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-03-28
Reference: FOI/202200330635
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport