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
132 matching releases

Scottish Government economic assessment queries: FOI release

1. Any economic growth assessment carried out in relation to the Scottish Government’s 2025-26 Budget and/or Programme for Government 2025-26. This means any assessment conducted by the relevant Scottish Government directorate analysing the impact of the Scottish Government’s budget or programme for government on Scotl...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.30 s.27 s.25(1) s.27(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-08-12
Reference
FOI/202500474127
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

National Care Service Bill documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received, minutes/notes from meetings, internal correspondence, briefings and analysis regarding the decision to axe part one of the National Care Service bill, between December 15 2024 and January 23 2025.

FOI already published 80 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.36 2 attachments
Published
2025-06-18
Reference
FOI/202500455144
Directorate
Social Care and National Care Service Development
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Criteria for responding to FOI requests: FOI release

1) It is a requirement that SPADs and/or the FM's chief of staff clear FOI responses from civil servants in the FOI unit? 2) How many FOIs were received by the Scottish Government in 2024, and how many of these were cleared by SPADs and/or FM's chief of staff before release? 3) What is the purpose of the following em...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.3 s.12 s.25(1) s.5
Published
2025-03-25
Reference
FOI/202500447375
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

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

Details of lobbying of Scottish Ministers by Propertymark: FOI release

Information pertaining to the lobbying of Scottish Ministers and MSPs, specifically: A full list of Scottish Ministers and MSPs who have been lobbied by Propertymark in the time period of 2020-2025. For any meetings, please provide minutes covering any agendas, requests, or key topics raised by Propertymark. If minute...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-02-20
Reference
FOI/202500448567
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Details of lobbying of Scottish Ministers by UK Finance: FOI release

Information pertaining to the lobbying of Scottish Ministers and MSPs, specifically: A full list of Scottish Ministers and MSPs who have been lobbied by UK Finance in the time period of 2020-2025. For any meetings, please provide minutes covering any agendas, requests, or key topics raised by UK Finance. If minutes ar...

FOI released 100 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-02-20
Reference
FOI/202500448564
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Pay grades or salary bands for current Special Advisors: FOI release

1. An updated list of all current Special Advisers (SpAds) employed by the Scottish Government. 2. The pay grades or salary bands for each individual SpAd.

FOI unclear 55 score 10 working days correspondence special advisers s.25(1)
Published
2025-01-21
Reference
FOI/202400444257
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Documentation regarding multiple First Minister meetings and appearances: FOI release

All documentation from John Swinney's meeting with Andy Burnham on August 12, including correspondence (internal as well), minutes/notes from the meetings, briefing notes prepared, policy and analysis, between July 1 and date of this FOI. All documentation from John Swinney's appearance taking the salute at the Edinbu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.39(1) s.28(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-17
Reference
FOI/202400431387
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Creative Scotland and Open Fund for Individuals applications: FOI release

1. Please confirm on what day the Scottish Government was informed by Creative Scotland that the Open Fund for Individuals would stop accepting applications on 30th August 2024. 2. Please provide a copy of all data the Scottish Government has relating to its receiving and subsequently handling of a) the announcement b...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2024-10-16
Reference
FOI/202400430256
Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Meetings with Dr Lyndsey Moon: FOI Review

Original request - 202400421460 Please confirm all meetings from 2021 - 2024 the Scottish Government has had with Dr Lyndsey Moon, on which dates they happened, who was involved, what was discussed, who initiated each meeting, and provide any emails, documents and reports relating to these meetings being planned, unde...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-26
Reference
FOI/202400424131 review of 202400421460
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Puberty Blocker Correspondence: FOI release

Under FOI I would please like to request all correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) between ministers of the scottish Government and their special advisors mentioning the term 'pube...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-18
Reference
FOI/202400410045
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Health and social care, Public sector

Special Adviser (SpAd) Register of interests and Severance Pay: FOI Release

1. Could you supply the updated special adviser register of interests? 2. How much has been spent on paying off/severance payments for special advisers, in each of the last three years, with a breakdown by year and by how much each special adviser got?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence special advisers spending s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-18
Reference
FOI/202400425442
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Former First Minister's meeting with the President of Turkey: FOI release

1. Please provide all minutes, notes or summaries taken at the First Minister's meeting with the President of Turkey during the meeting at COP28 in UAE on December 1. 2. Please also provide any correspondence between the First Minister, special advisers or Scottish Government officials and the Turkish government in th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) s.32(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400393551
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Resignation of Mr Matheson as Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care: FOI release

The exact time and format in which Michael Matheson first informed Humza Yousaf of his resignation as Health Secretary and please provide the documentary evidence of this (the original email/WhatsApp/text) as well as Humza Yousaf's response). All discussions from the Scottish Government planning press lines or media r...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400398386
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Former First Minister correspondence on Gaza: FOI Review

Original request 202400393608 1. On the 17th October 2023, Humza Yousaf, during his speech to the SNP conference in Aberdeen, called on the UK Government ‘To support the medical evacuation of injured civilians in Gaza’. As SNP party leader, he said, ‘Let me be clear, Scotland is ready to play her part and our hospital...

FOI clarification 80 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.28(1) s.25 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-12
Reference
FOI/202400402356 Review of 202400393608
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Chief of Staff to the First Minister: FOI release

All Chief of Staff to the First Minister, and who the First Minister was they were Chief of Staff to The tenure of duration of each chief of staff General duties, roles and responsibilities of the Chief of Staff to the First Minister Engagements of the Chief of Staff within the Scottish Government, office of the First ...

FOI not held 45 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1)
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400411404
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Resignation of Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care: FOI release

All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internal correspondence, minutes, notes and briefings held, about the resignation of Michael Matheson between January 15 2024 and the date of this FOI?

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400397967
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Former Deputy First Minister's 2017 trip to India: FOI release

1. All meetings John Swinney had during his December 2017 trip to India, the attendees of those meetings, the minutes of those meetings and any actions taken by the Scottish Government as a result of those meetings. 2. Any messages, emails or letters sent by John Swinney between 1 and 6 December 2017 (inclusive) that ...

FOI already published 80 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.2 s.3 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.32(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400412239
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Freedom of Information guidance, monitoring the social media profiles of journalists and sex offender name changing: FOI release

1. Could you supply the full internal guidance/guidebook for dealing with FOIs which the Scottish Government abide by, including whether Special Advisers are given first look at them, and what details they are provided with? 2. Could you supply details about whether the Scottish Government monitor the social media pro...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-02
Reference
FOI/202400408156
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Law and order, Public sector

Scottish Budget, Former First Minister's Cabinet reshuffle and trip to Qatar: FOI release

1. All correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Institute for Fiscal Studies about the budget, including internal correspondence, notes, briefings and minutes from any meetings, between December 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including...

FOI already published 80 score 44 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) s.2(1) s.39 s.41 s.47 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400399489
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Economy, Public sector

Freedom of Information (FoI) requests for consideration by Special Advisers: FOI release

1) Since the start of 2024, please provide a list of the FOI's which have been subject to consideration by the FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot email address and/or Special Adviser emails. 2) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot and the FOI Unit since January 1, 2024. 3) Any correspondence between FoI.SpAdsPO@gov.scot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400406282
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondences around the Court of Session defeat for Gender Reforms: FOI release

Any correspondence between special advisers, senior civil servants within either the constitution or legal directorate, and ministers within the Scottish Government and SNP party officials around the court of session defeat for gender reforms. This should cover between September 1 2023 and December 31 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.35 s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400407156
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Minimum unit pricing uprate: FOI release

1. Could you supply all the evidence utilised by the Scottish Government to announce the minimum unit pricing uprate, including details and minutes of meetings held between officials and ministers to decide on the uprate as well as correspondence between officials, ministers and special advisers on the same topic? -Can...

FOI cost limit 70 score 55 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.12 s.30 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400398860
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

All correspondence between special advisers, civil servants involved in preparing the original response to the FOI 202300372279: FOI release

All correspondence between special advisers, civil servants, officials and anyone involved in preparing the original response to the FOI request ref: 202300372279.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202300383140
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Gender Reform Recognition Bill: FOI release

1. Full costs of the court case about the Gender Reform Recognition Bill, including expenses claims, and a full breakdown of these costs. 2. How many civil servants worked on the court case and what were their roles? 3. Correspondence between the Scottish Government, including internal correspondence, and Scottish Tr...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.2 s.35 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.37(1) s.28(1) s.5 s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-15
Reference
FOI/202300385351
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector