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
92 matching releases

Orkney Community Wind Farm project correspondence: EIR release

All correspondence (external and internal emails, WhatsApp messages, internal communications, minutes of meetings, briefing notes, reports etc) from the Scottish Government relating to the Orkney Community Wind Farm project from 2018 up to and including 2024.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(5) s.11(2) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-07
Reference
EIR/202400427317
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Skye to Fort Augustus Reinforcement Project: EIR release

Please provide a copy of all communications, in whatever format (emails, WhatsApp messages, letters, notes of meetings, and notes of telephone calls) between the ECU and the applicants (or parties representing or acting for the applicants), and between the ECU and the Highland Council, between 1st September 2023 and th...

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400395575
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the decision to reduce Single Species Threshold: EIR release

Please can you provide all correspondence between Scottish Forestry officials and officials from the Forestry Commission relating to the decision in the new five-year forestry standard to reduce the maximum percentage for a single species in a new forest from 75 to 65 per cent. I am particularly interested to see disc...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
EIR/202400408157
Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

All information relating to a forestry application FPA-11321 for the area of land west of Eglinton House, Kilwinning: EIR Release

All information relating to a forestry Application for the area of land west of Eglinton House, Kilwinning. The felling Application number is FPA-11321. The information required is as follows: 1. All email correspondence associated with the forestry application. 2. All hard copy letters issued associated with the fore...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 15 working days correspondence whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.11(1)
Published
2024-09-12
Reference
EIR/202400425874
Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Freedom of Information request response statistics: FOI release

The top 10 longest waits for currently outstanding FOIs, including information about the department handling it and subject of the FOI.

FOI/EIR released 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending whatsapp s.20
Published
2024-09-11
Reference
FOI/202400422720
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Borders Railway Extension and the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) findings: EIR release

Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) within Transport Scotland and the Cabinet Secretary for Transport relating to Borders Railway Extension and the findings from STPR2 relating to the proposed feasibility study. It was subsequently cla...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
EIR/202400412367
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Tay Forest National Park bid: EIR release

A copy of all correspondence conducted between Ms Lorna Slater, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity (including all staff in her department), and Provost Xander McDade from Perth & Kinross Council (including all staff in Perth & Kinross Council involved in the Tay Forest Bid) in respect of the p...

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
EIR/202400408122
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Internal communications on presumed limit of land ownership: EIR release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act, I would like to request the following information: All internal communications involving relevant Ministers, Special Advisors, or ministerial staff, relating tothe topic of a presumed limit on land ownership, from 06/05/2021 to present. Communication would include, but ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-07-15
Reference
FOI/202300377903
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, Public sector

Correspondence regarding draft climate change plan: EIR release

Please can you provide copies of correspondence within the Scottish Government about the delaying of the new draft climate change plan. I'd like all correspondence from the start of July 2023 to the end of December 2023. Please provide any emails, texts, whatsapp messages and any other correspondence relating to the d...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers contracts whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) 2 attachments
Published
2024-05-23
Reference
FOI/202400394829
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Communications regarding Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMA): EIR release

“Please provide any communications which relate to decision making around the scrapping of Highly Protected Marine Areas, which was first announced in June 2023, and officially confirmed by the government in November. Please ensure all types of communications are included – including Whatsapp – and please share any at...

FOI/EIR already published 80 score 45 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.6(1) s.9 4 attachments
Published
2024-05-21
Reference
FOI/202300387073
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

1. Over the past five years how many FoI requests have been submitted? Please can I have this broken down by year? (So for the years of 2019, 20, 21, 22, 23. If financial years are used, please may I have the data for this financial year to the date this has been submitted.) 2. Over the past five years how many FoI re...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.20 s.17(1)
Published
2024-04-10
Reference
FOI/202400397701
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Resignation of Eilidh Mactaggart: FOI review

All correspondence including emails, briefing notes, text and WhatsApp messages, documents and memos relating to the resignation of Eilidh Mactaggart, the CEO of the Scottish National Investment Bank.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-23
Reference
202200285209
Directorate
International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications between the Scottish Government and UK monarchy on various topics: FOI release

Any communications between the government and the UK monarchy or their representatives which refer – either directly or indirectly – to: Laws and legislation The Crown Estate Any property or assets owned by the monarchy in Scotland Crown consent Carbon emissions. Please include all communication channels used by gove...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence spending whatsapp s.38 s.41 s.20 18 attachments
Published
2024-01-10
Reference
202300339844
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Prison Service mobile phones for prisoners: FOI release

Whether any value for money review has been conducted of the Scottish Prison Service’s mobile phones for prisoners project since its introduction in April 2020. All correspondence between the Scottish Prison Service and Scottish Ministers and their Special Advisers regarding prisoner mobile phones. Please provide this ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.38(1) s.33(1) s.34(1) s.35(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-28
Reference
202300358582
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Public sector

All correspondence between the office of the First Minister, Crown Office and Police Scotland: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence, (including, reports, letters, email, WhatsApp, SMS, and phone correspondence) and logs of phone calls and meetings, from personal and corporate devices, between the office of the First Minister (both the former First Minister, and the new FM) and the Crown Office, and Police Scotland,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-27
Reference
202300350290
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications regarding resignation of Terry A'Hearn from SEPA: EIR release

All correspondence including emails, briefing papers, WhatsApp and text messages, memos and voice messages relating to the conduct allegations and resignation of Terry A'Hearn from Sepa. As the information you have requested is 'environmental information' for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Re...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence briefings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-21
Reference
202200291288
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

National Farmers Union of Scotland and gene editing: EIR release

Correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) between Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon MSP, any other Scottish Government representatives and the National Farmers Union of Scotland, the Ros...

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.5(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) 28 attachments
Published
2023-12-20
Reference
202200280877
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence received by Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon MSP regarding ‘fertiliser’ and the ‘price of fertiliser’: EIR release

All correspondence received by Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon MSP regarding ‘price of fertiliser’, ‘shortages of fertiliser’, ‘price of ammonium nitrate fertiliser’, and ‘shortages of ammonium nitrate fertiliser’ between 8 May 2021 and 16 March 2022 including, emails, Whatsapp messages and meeting minutes. As the inf...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) 12 attachments
Published
2023-12-19
Reference
202200288436
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Public sector

A9 dualling project between Tomatin to Moy: EIR release

1. All advice and documentation received by Transport Scotland regarding the Tomatin to Moy dualling project. In particular, the timeline to procurement, advice on the offers made and how the process will be changed for the next round of procurement. 2. All correspondence received and sent by Drew Hendry regarding the...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings contracts s.3 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.6(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-12
Reference
FOI/202300369752
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Scottish Government probe into leaked budget: FOI release

1a.) Have/did the Scottish Government launch a probe into the leaked budget proposals which were reported by BBC Scotland on December 15 last year? 1b.) If not, why and if you did explain the process of the investigation? 1c.) What was the final outcome of the investigation? 1d.) Any correspondence (including emails...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.1C s.1D s.38(1) s.29(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202300344253
Directorate
Public Spending Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Queries concerning the nationalisation of ScotRail: FOI release

Can the Scottish government provide details of any correspondence (meetings, emails, text messages, WhatsApp messages, letters) between Scotrail/Abellio, Transport Scotland and Government Ministers relating to the Government takeover of Scotrail services? Can you provide details of any correspondence between Scotrail/A...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
202200288636
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

10-year economic strategy communications: FOI release

All communications (emails, letters, texts, WhatsApp messages, phone calls, online meetings, in-person meetings) which took place in January, February or March 2022 between the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy, the Minister for Public Finance, Planning, and Community Wealth, First Minister, Officials working t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38 s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
202200308856
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Provision for or appointment of speechwriters for the First Minister: FOI release

All correspondence about the provision or appointment of speechwriters for the First Minister which has taken place between the Permanent Secretary and the following: Liz Lloyd, political adviser to the First Minister Julie Grant, head of news at the Scottish Government Dominic Munro, director of strategy at the Scott...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-22
Reference
202200333883
Directorate
Strategy Directorate
Topic
Public sector

SQA exam results for 2021: FOI release

Any correspondence including but not limited to emails, letters, texts, WhatsApp messages or internal messaging apps such as Gchat and details of meetings including agendas, minutes, notes, handouts, attendance lists, location, and purpose, on the topic of the SQA exam results for 2021 to and from the Scottish Governme...

FOI already published 80 score 471 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-17
Reference
202100230956
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Mermaids charity: FOI release

All correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) regarding the Mermaids Charity from 25 September 2022 onwards.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-16
Reference
202200329739
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Public sector