Scottish Government FOI Index

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

132 matching releases

Correspondence mentioning “euro” and “currency”: FOI release

All email correspondence sent or received by the Scottish Government Special Adviser Ewan Crawford, 1st May 2021 - date, mentioning “euro” and “currency”. Your clarification sent on 26 February 2023 confirmed that you are looking for email correspondence sent or received from 1 May 2021 to the date of your request, rat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-03-30
Reference: FOI/202300344511
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Press officers and special advisors: FOI release

1. How many press officers and special advisers are currently (date of this FOI) employed by the Scottish Government? Breakdown of both categories. 2. How many of both categories were employed in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021? 3. How many special advisers does Nicola Sturgeon have? How many does each minister have? How much a...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.2 s.6 s.25(1) s.27(1)

Published: 2022-11-17
Reference: FOI/202200325260
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence with Lord Advocate regarding the Supreme Court: FOI release

1) Any correspondence, including meetings, notes, memos, agendas, ministerial briefings and minutes, between the Scottish Government and the office of the Lord Advocate on the topic of the Lord Advocate's reference to the Supreme Court between January 1, 2022 and June 28, 2022. This should include any emails, letters, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-08-22
Reference: FOI/202200312193
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Communication regarding the reform of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Education Scotland: FOI release

"All communications between ministers and/or special advisers and/or PR/comms staff” and that the request “related to internal communications regarding the recently published report by Professor Ken Muir into the reform of the SQA and Education Scotland”. You noted that the request “would include attachments to relevan...

FOI clarification 55 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1)

Published: 2022-08-10
Reference: FOI/202200300655
Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Information regarding the implementation of Covid-19 passports: FOI Review

a) ‘Any scientific, medical, immunological or epidemiological evidence provided to Scottish Ministers that underpins or supports their decision to require vaccine passports for events consisting of more than 10,000 people at open air events such as football matches;’ b) ‘Advice/recommendations on how such a scheme woul...

FOI already published 80 score 76 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.12 s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-27
Reference: FOI/202100255294 Review of 202100240234
Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Communications regarding crown consent provisions in Scottish legislation discussions: FOI Review

1) Copies of any internal Scottish government memos, briefing papers or emails concerning the question of changing the handling of crown consent in legislation and/or the way the crown consent provisions are communicated to MSPs, including but not exclusively to and from the Scottish government ministers and their spec...

FOI already published 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.29(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-20
Reference: FOI/202200278004 Review of 202200270508
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Internal communications regarding SQA appeals: FOI release

All internal communications involving ministers, special advisers and/or learning directorate officials regarding or referring to the appeals system for 2021 SQA results. The time frame for this request is 1/3/2021 - 2/6/2021

FOI partially withheld 90 score 191 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-07-18
Reference: FOI/202100208812
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

State energy company correspondence: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence from August 2017 to 14 March 2022 among civil servants, special advisers and ministers (and outside organisations where appropriate) including emails and letters, on plans to set up a state energy company in Scotland.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.25(1) s.29 2 attachments

Published: 2022-05-23
Reference: FOI/202200287837
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Correspondence between SQA and Scottish Government regarding appeals process: FOI Release

All communication between the SQA and Scottish Government (ministers, special advisers, learning directorate officials) regarding / referring to the appeals system for 2021 results, the details of which have now been published on the SQA website: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/79049.html The time frame for this request is...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 141 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-01-24
Reference: FOI/202100208810
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Information regarding the implementation of Covid-19 passports: FOI release

(a) Any scientific, medical, immunological or epidemiological evidence provided to Scottish Ministers that underpins or supports their decision to require vaccine passports for events consisting of more than 10,000 people at open air events such as football matches; (b) Advice/recommendations on how such a scheme would...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.12 s.20 s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2021-11-09
Reference: FOI/202100240234
Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Scottish Information Commissioner appeal Decision Notice 083/2021: FOI release

1. Any and all internal and external correspondence including emails, letters, WhatsApp messages, Signal messages, text messages relating to government business from officials, ministers, and special advisers and any other interested party relating to the consideration of the Scottish Information Commissioner appeal wh...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.25(1) s.26 s.30 s.35(1) s.35(2) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2021-10-28
Reference: FOI/202100223873
Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

List of Scottish Government special advisers 2021: FOI release

A list of Scottish Government special advisers as of March 24, 2021 and their area of expertise as well as for a list of Scottish Government special advisers as of August 5, 2021, and their area of expertise.

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers s.25(1)

Published: 2021-09-29
Reference: FOI/202100235832
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding potential timing for independence referendum: FOI release

Any correspondence (emails, letters, whatsapp messages, texts, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls and/or otherwise) from/between/to civil servants and/or Special Advisers on the appropriate timing for an independence referendum to take place once the legislation for it would be passed in the next parliamentary term.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2021-05-20
Reference: FOI/202100187817
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Minutes of meeting between First Minister and Bill Gates 2018: FOI release

The minutes of the meeting between Nicola Sturgeon and Bill Gates in January 2018. I would also like to know how much money Bill Gates, The Bill and Melinda Foundation and ANY of his affiiated companies, charities etc have given the Scottish Government/SNP, and what this money has been used for? I would also like to kn...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.17(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2021-04-01
Reference: FOI/202100156917
Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Programme for Government, Public sector

Extending response times to freedom of information requests: FOI review

Supply all correspondence/emails (including attachments) - to or from government ministers, special advisers or senior civil servants - dated on or prior to 2 April 2020 relating to the proposal to extend response times to freedom of information requests set out in Schedule 6 Part 2 of the [Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill....

FOI partially withheld 90 score 153 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.21(4) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2021-03-04
Reference: FOI/202000068453
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Understanding teacher estimates for grading pupils receiving qualifications in 2020: FOI release

In relation to teacher estimates to grade pupils receiving qualifications in 2020, you asked: what work has been done/activities been undertaken to better understand why teacher estimates were so much higher than historic attainment please provide me with any written information exploring this issue – including, but n...

FOI already published 80 score 55 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2021-03-02
Reference: FOI/202000117808
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Best Start Foods card: FOI release

Please can you refer me to the information that was used to form the policy for the Best Start Foods card - how the list of eligible food has been determined?

FOI released 75 score 19 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.25(1)

Published: 2020-11-25
Reference: FOI/202000099351
Directorate: Children and Families Directorate
Topic: Children and families, Communities and third sector, Public sector

Schools re-opening full time decision making correspondence: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government correspondence (including emails, letters, typed or hand-written notes, text messages and briefings) regarding the decision for schools to reopen full-time on 11 August, as announced by the Deputy First Minister on 23 June 2020. I would like this information from 01 June 2020 until 23 J...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.25(1) s.28(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-09-24
Reference: FOI/202000057060
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) correspondence: FOI release

Any correspondence between Kevin Stewart and/or any special advisers who work alongside the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning and the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) between 1st March 2020 and 1st June 2020. This should include minutes, agendas or notes (including handwritten notes) of any mee...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-07-13
Reference: FOI/202000043559
Directorate
Topic: Housing, Public sector

Publication of exam analysis - correspondence and drafts: FOI review

All communications between Ministers, Special Advisers and communication staff regarding the publication of exam analysis by the Scottish Government (see here: https://news.gov.scot/news/publication-of-exam-analysis ) Any drafts of pages 1-3 of the exam analysis (see here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/examresults-...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 56 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-06-29
Reference: FOI/202000024838
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Publication of exam analysis - correspondence and drafts: FOI release

I would like to request the following materials under Freedom of Information: All communications between Ministers, Special Advisers and communication staff regarding the publication of exam analysis by the Scottish Government (see here: https://news.gov.scot/news/publication-of-exam-analysis) Any drafts of pages 1-3 ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-03-26
Reference: FOI/202000017654
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding meeting involving the Scottish Government (including Deputy First Minister), Education Scotland and ADES: FOI release

Please release the following information under FOISA regarding the 23 October 2019 meeting involving the Scottish Government (including Deputy First Minister), Education Scotland and ADES All communications regarding the meeting All materials prepared in advance of the meeting All notes from the meeting, including any...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2020-01-16
Reference: 201900009848
Directorate
Topic

2019 Higher and National 5 results breakdown and correspondence: FOI release

In your request you asked for:- Any briefings, analysis, breakdowns etc regarding the 2019 Higher and National 5 results created by or provided to the Scottish Government All internal communications involving Learning Directorate staff, ministers or special advisers regarding the 2019 exam results Any communication be...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.12 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.25 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2019-11-21
Reference: FOI/201900003157
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

2019 Higher and National 5 results breakdown and correspondence: FOI review

I have now completed my review of our response to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for: Any briefings, analysis, breakdowns etc regarding the 2019 Higher and National 5 results created by or provided to the Scottish Government All internal communications involving Learning Dire...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.12(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) 14 attachments

Published: 2019-11-21
Reference: FOI/201900004088
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic

Staff, meetings and correspondence concerning response to Judicial Review Petition: FOI release

1. Please state the full membership of the group within the Scottish Government brought together to respond to the Judicial Review Petition of Mr Alex Salmond. Please itemise any and all advisers brought in to assist. 2. There were 17 pre-arranged meetings and conference calls between August 2018 and January 2019 with ...

FOI not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.3 s.17(1) s.25(1)

Published: 2019-09-25
Reference: FOI/19/02016
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Public sector