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

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

Clear
439 matching releases

Plans and discussions regarding restructuring/merger of Enterprise Agencies: FOI release

1. Restructuring or Reform of Enterprise Agencies All minutes, papers, correspondence, or briefings (including drafts) since 1 January 2020 relating to any proposals, discussions, or decisions regarding: The merger, restructuring, rationalisation, or closure of any of the following: Highlands and Islands Enterprise (...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.4 s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-08-11
Reference
FOI/202500472477
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Special Advisers and ChatGPT documentation: FOI release

Any recorded transcripts, logs, outputs, or other documentation of interactions between Scottish Government Special Advisers and ChatGPT or any other large language model (LLM) from January 1, 2025, to June 18, 2025. This includes any saved chats, screenshots, exported files, or other relevant records held by the Scot...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-08-06
Reference
FOI/202500471620
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister and UK Foreign Secretary meeting information: FOI Review

Original request 202500464890 1. All notes, briefings, minutes, readouts and communications related to the meeting between First Minister John Swinney MSP and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, MP, at King Charles St; in London on 11 March 2025. 2. Please include any communications with FCDO setting up the meeting in ...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.30 s.38(1) s.39 s.17 2 attachments
Published
2025-08-05
Reference
FOI/202500468646 Review of 202500464890
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Ministerial salary increase timing and messaging records: FOI Review

Original request 202500462016 Access to records related to the timing and public messaging of the recent ministerial salary increase. Specifically: 1. **Internal Communications:** - Emails, meeting minutes, and memos between the Office of the First Minister and the Public Relations teams discussing how the timing of ...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.2 s.25 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-30
Reference
FOI/202500466490 Review of 202500462016
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish National Marine Plan (NMP2) information: EIR release

1. What consultations have been held with the tidal stream marine renewable energy industry to establish appropriate development goals (locations and scales of development) for the tidal stream marine renewable energy industry for the period covered by the current revision of the Scottish National Marine Plan (NMP2)? ...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.10(5) s.87 s.10(4) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2025-07-23
Reference
EIR/202500463944
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Scottish Government spend on legal costs: FOI Review

Original request 202500456930 The total Scottish Government spend on legal costs, including advice and counsel, for any cumulative cost of legal fees over £50k in the last three years, with a breakdown per court case and per costs.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.30 s.2 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-22
Reference
FOI/202500462249 Review of 202500456930
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Public sector

Measurement of staff performance used by Scottish Ministers: FOI release

You asked for the following information covering the period 2021-25: 1. Details of the performance and productivity metrics employed to assess the effectiveness of government employees. This could include key performance indicators (KPIs), targets, or other criteria used to evaluate staff across various departments. ...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.2 s.3 s.4 s.21(1) s.12 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-21
Reference
FOI/202500457382
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

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

Ministerial salary increase timing and messaging records: FOI release

Access to records related to the timing and public messaging of the recent ministerial salary increase. Specifically: 1. **Internal Communications:** - Emails, meeting minutes, and memos between the Office of the First Minister and the Public Relations teams discussing how the timing of the announcement was chosen. - ...

FOI not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-07-21
Reference
FOI/202500462016
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Minister for Public Health and Women's Health's diary engagements: FOI release

1. A copy of the diary for the Minister for Public Health and Women's Health, Jenni Minto MSP, for Monday 28th April 2025, including but not limited to all meetings, engagements and any other commitments. 2. How much time Ms Minto spent at 'Holyrood Dog of the Year 2025' on Monday 28th April 2025, including travel tim...

FOI unclear 55 score 6 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.2 s.17(1)
Published
2025-07-17
Reference
FOI/202500463649
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial correspondence, staffing and budget statement for the Offshore Wind Hub in Aberdeen: EIR release

1. All correspondence between Ministers, Special Advisers and Officials relating to the Scottish Government’s proposal to create an Offshore Wind Hub in Aberdeen as announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Local Government in the Scottish Government’s 2025/26 Budget Statement on 4 December 2024. 2. How many st...

FOI/EIR withheld 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.2
Published
2025-07-08
Reference
FOI/202500458971
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice two child cap mitigation claim in committee: FOI release

1. Confirmation of whether or not the Scottish Government has revealed through FOI or a PQ the specific time and date the decision to mitigate the two-child cap was taken. If so, please reveal a copy of the FOI answer or PQ answer that does this. 2. Confirmation of whether or not the Cabinet Secretary for Social Just...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.29(1)
Published
2025-07-02
Reference
FOI/202500468247
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Non-domestic rates charged on shooting rights and deer forests: FOI release

1. How much has the Scottish Government paid since 2019 (broken down by year and by council area) to local councils in sporting rates? a. What was the main purpose of this expenditure? Please provide dates and any further details and/or correspondence relating to the expenditure on sporting rates. 2. How much have Sc...

FOI not held 45 score 13 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.3 s.17(1)
Published
2025-06-26
Reference
FOI/202500458018
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, Public sector

GFG group senior management team correspondence: FOI release

1. Please provide me with a copy of any correspondence between the GFG group senior management team and the Scottish Government since July 2022 on a) the resignation of King and King Auditors and b) the appointment of new auditors. 2. Please provide me a copy of any minutes of meeting between Ministers or officials an...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2025-06-24
Reference
FOI/202500457270
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Portfolio question and response scripts provided to Scottish Ministers: FOI release

Pertaining to work done, communications made, and documentation produced and sent between 1 March 2024 and present, for all Deputy First Minister Responsibilities, Economy and Gaelic and Finance and Local Government Portfolio Questions sessions between 1 January and present date, please provide: 1. Copies of all suppl...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.2 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-06-10
Reference
FOI/202500455813
Directorate
International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Former First Minister memoirs: FOI release

You requested the following information: 1. Any information held on advice provided to Nicola Sturgeon about the Radcliffe Rules around political memoirs. 2. Whether Nicola Sturgeon has submitted a manuscript of her memoir, Frankly, to the Permanent Secretary for approval under those rules. 3. A copy of any part of ...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.3 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-06-09
Reference
FOI/202500458988
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish secondary schools catering for pupils with additional support needs: FOI release

1. The number of additional support need staff employed in mainstream Scottish secondary schools. 2. The number of Scottish secondary schools that cater for pupils who require additional support. 3. The number of pupils with additional support needs attending a mainstream secondary school.

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.2 s.3
Published
2025-05-12
Reference
FOI/202500455975
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Additional support needs (ASN) secondary school staffing and pupils: FOI release

1. The number of additional support need staff employed in mainstream Scottish secondary schools. 2. The number of Scottish secondary schools that cater for pupils who require additional support. 3. The number of pupils with additional support needs attending a mainstream secondary school.

FOI unclear 55 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.2 s.3
Published
2025-05-12
Reference
FOI/202500455976
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Additional support needs in Scottish secondary schools: FOI release

1. The number of additional support need staff employed in mainstream Scottish secondary schools. 2. The number of Scottish secondary schools that cater for pupils who require additional support. 3. The number of pupils with additional support needs attending a mainstream secondary school. Please present this in a t...

FOI unclear 55 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.2 s.3
Published
2025-05-01
Reference
FOI/202500455974
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Measurement of staff performance used by Scottish Ministers: FOI release

1. An account of the measures available to Scottish Ministers if they are unsatisfied with the performance, conduct, or capacity of officials. 2. For each of these measures, by year from 2015 to present, a count of the number of times they were used.

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.21(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-04-09
Reference
FOI/202500453638
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information relating to Local Council decisions being appealed: EIR release

Please provide the following information, in spreadsheet file format, by local authority, and by year from 2010 to present: 1. A list of types of local council decisions and rulings which are eligible to be appealed to Scottish Ministers, either directly or through intermediate appellate organisations. 2. For each ca...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2025-04-08
Reference
FOI/202500453634
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding Horizon Post Office system: FOI release

1. All briefings prepared ahead of Angela Constance's appearance at Holyrood on Tuesday 9 January to discuss the Horizon Post Office scandal? 2. Why did Lord Advocate not speak about Horizon that day? 3. All correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Crown Office/Lord Advocate regarding Horizon between De...

FOI withheld 80 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.2 s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-04-08
Reference
FOI/202400393692
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Planning Hubs and Planning apprenticeships information: EIR release

All briefings given to Scottish Ministers since the appointment of John Swinney as First Minister regarding Planning Hubs and Planning apprenticeships All notes of meetings since the appointment of John Swinney as First Minister regarding Planning Hubs and Planning apprenticeships All Scottish Government correspondence...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.2 s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-27
Reference
EIR/202500447903
Directorate
Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Chief Statistician correspondence to Scottish Ministers: FOI release

1. All instances of the Scottish Government’s Chief Statistician writing to any Scottish Minister (or their private office) advising them that they should correct the official record of the Scottish Parliament due to a factual inaccuracy since 8 May 2024. Please provide the full correspondence of the Chief Statistician...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1)
Published
2025-03-13
Reference
FOI/202500450754
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish International Development Association Head of Policy and Communications appointment: FOI Review

Original request 202500446733 1. When the Scottish Government first became aware of the Scottish International Development Association’s appointment of Patrick Grady to the role of Head of Policy and Communications. 2. The initial response the Scottish Government drafted up for responding to press queries about this ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.2 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-03-04
Reference
FOI/202500450926 Review of 202500446733
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector