Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

19,099releases indexed
31,532attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
7,049partially withheld
2018-11-16oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 7,049 unclear 6,352 not held 2,688 released 1,289 already published 610 cost limit 529 clarification 306 withheld 208 transferred 68

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
24 matching releases

Documentation that mentions Former SNP Chief Executive Officer: FOI release

Please disclose any emails or WhatsApps sent between Scottish Government officials, including any special advisers, which contain the words “Peter Murrell” sent between 1 January 2026, and February 17, 2026.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers contracts whatsapp s.25(1) s.17(1) s.17 s.30 s.3 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-07
Reference
FOI/202600507146
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister's visit to Washington DC - Interactions with Lord Peter Mandelson: 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.3 s.17 s.25 s.28(1) s.32(1) s.33(1) s.38 s.28 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-03-10
Reference
FOI/202600505179
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Transport Scotland - Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services 3 (CHFS3) information: EIR release

Under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, I request the following information regarding the CHFS3 Direct Award to CalMac Ferries Ltd: 1. Final Socio-Economic Impact Assessments: Any final (non-draft) reports or assessments conducted by or for Transport Scotland regarding the impact of the CHFS3 ...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.20 s.2 s.10(4) s.3 s.6(1) s.4 2 attachments
Published
2026-03-03
Reference
EIR/202500499619
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Former First Minister and the City of London Corporation’s Special Representative to the EU meeting information: FOI release

Information relating to a meeting on 27 April 2017 between the then First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and Jeremy Browne: 1. Confirmation of whether such a meeting took place, including the location, time, duration, and list of attendees (including any Scottish Government officials or special advisers present). 2. Any ...

FOI not held 70 score 12 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.3 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-03-02
Reference
FOI/202600500054
Directorate
International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, International, Money and tax, +1 more … Public sector

Material regarding mistaken releases: FOI release

1. Copies of any briefings to Ministers, Special Advisers or Directors since 1 April 2020 that mention “release in error”, “erroneous release”, or “mistaken release” in the Scottish Prison Service. 2. Any correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service about the scale, causes, or prevent...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.3 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-03
Reference
FOI/202500491040
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

NHS Fife employment tribunal queries: FOI Review

Original request 202500476219 1. The exact date and time when Scottish Ministers were first informed that Sandie Peggie had been cleared of gross misconduct by NHS Fife. Please provide the correspondence of ministers being informed of this development and any further correspondence where ministers discuss the implicat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.4 s.5 s.38 s.2 s.3 s.30 s.25 4 attachments
Published
2025-12-23
Reference
FOI/202500482778 Review of 202500476219
Directorate
Health Workforce Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, 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

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

Directorate for Communications and Ministerial Support staffing, specific spend details and Ministerial code guidance: FOI release

1. The total number of staff employed in the Directorate of Comms, Ministerial Support and Facilities (also known as Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate) in each of the following financial years: 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and currently in 2024-25, broken down by pay scale. 2. What training cour...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.3 s.5 s.17(1) s.9 4 attachments
Published
2024-12-17
Reference
FOI/202400437904
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

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

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), Equinor, Ian Wood and True North correspondence: EIR release

Any documentation relevant to the following meetings between the Scottish Government and SSE, Equnior, Ian Wood and True North in 2022-2024. I request copies of attendance, topics discussed and any agreed actions. [Date / location / company / Minister / Where meeting was identified] 1) 07/10/2022, SNP Party Conferen...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.3 s.6 s.7 s.9 s.10 s.12 s.13 s.14 s.15 s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.5(1) s.11 s.6(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-29
Reference
EIR/202400401637
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Amount of records destroyed in accordance with Record Management Policy from 2019 - date: FOI release

How many records the Scottish Government have destroyed in accordance with Record Management Policy in 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and so far in 2023-24. Please detail whether these records included emails, WhatsApps, minutes of Scottish Government meetings etc and any other information that is recorded about th...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.3 2 attachments
Published
2024-03-05
Reference
FOI/202300384324
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Framework For The Provision Of Commercial Advisors: FOI release

The contracts and specification within the Framework for the Provision of Commercial Advisors. Any details the agreed level of confidentiality between the Scottish Government and contracted consultants such as any NDAs or impact on FOISA legislation within said framework or any award against said framework. Corresponde...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers contracts s.25(1) s.3 4 attachments
Published
2024-01-09
Reference
202300363667
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Average response times for an FOI request: FOI release

1) The mean, median and maximum response times for an FOI to the Scottish Government over the last 12 months. 2) The number and percentage of FOIs that were referred to Special Advisers for each month of the last five years. 3) The mean, median and maximum response times for all FOIs referred to Special Advisers over t...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.3 s.20 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-25
Reference
FOI/202300352495
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister's August 2022 Copenhagen visit: FOI release

The following information related to the First Minister’s August 2022 visit to Copenhagen: 1) How much did Nicola Sturgeon's trip to Copenhagen cost and breakdown of these costs? 2) Itinerary of what Ms Sturgeon did in Copenhagen, including her mode of transport and where she stayed and costs of this. 3) Briefing notes...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.3 s.27(1) s.4 2 attachments
Published
2023-01-25
Reference
FOI/202200317683
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Questions regarding work on "Building a New Scotland" document: FOI release

1. How many civil servants worked on these documents and for how long and what the total cost of this was? 2. How many special advisers worked on these papers and what exactly their role was. I would also like to know if any of the special advisers have authority over civil servants. 3. Has the advice of the Permanen...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.3 s.17(1)
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202200306418
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information regarding access to private email accounts and websites: FOI release

1. Number of times per month private email accounts are accessed from Scottish Government issued IT equipment to MSP's (desktops, laptops, mobiles, other electronic devices). 2. Number of times per month Adult related websites are accessed by MSP's using official government issued equipment. Listing top 10 sites visite...

FOI not held 70 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.3 s.4 s.5 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-09-23
Reference
FOI/202100223756
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Covid-19 briefings relating to restrictions: FOI release

1. Minutes from any formal four nations discussions with Michael Gove and other representatives from UK, Welsh Governments and Northern Ireland executive between October 1 and January 15 on the topic of Covid-19 and four nations alignment on restrictions/measures. 2. Notes taken by Scottish Government staff or minister...

FOI not held 70 score 80 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.3 s.1 s.17(1) s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.3(2) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-15
Reference
FOI/202100164644 review of 202100140372
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Meeting between Health Homes and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport: FOI release

1) Any minutes, handouts, shared documents, agendas, notes, briefing papers, follow-up emails, notes taken by attendees from the meeting between the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport and care home groups in the week commencing Feb 15 referenced by Jason Leitch at the daily coronavirus briefing on February 24. 2) A...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.3 s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-13
Reference
FOI/202100164833
Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Four nation discussions of COVID-19 and alignment of restrictions: FOI release

1. Minutes from any formal four nations discussions with Michael Gove and other representatives from UK, Welsh Governments and Northern Ireland executive between October 1 and January 15 on the topic of Covid-19 and four nations alignment on restrictions/measures. 2. Notes taken by Scottish Government staff or ministe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.3 s.28(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/20210014372
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme – various questions: FOI release

You asked for recorded information held by the Scottish Government that relates to the operation of the Help to Buy scheme, specifically: 1. Copies of all meeting notes, agendas, power point presentations or other materials produced / consumed by members of the Help to Buy (Scotland) Working group since August 23 2017....

FOI clarification 55 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.3 s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2019-11-13
Reference
FOI/201900004933
Directorate
Topic
Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

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

Various questions on case against Former First Minister: FOI release

You asked for: 1. Please specify the job description of Ms Katy Bowman, Special Adviser to the First Minister both at present and in 2014. 2. Please identify the line management responsibilities of Ms Liz Lloyd, First Minister’s chief of staff, to Ms Katy Bowman, Special Adviser to the First Minister. 3. Please iden...

FOI not held 45 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.5 s.6 s.17(1) s.3 s.18(1) s.28 s.12 s.35(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1)
Published
2019-09-13
Reference
FOI/19/01942
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

The Sunday National/The National newspapers in Scottish Government: FOI release

1. All internal Scottish Government correspondence or documentation (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, texts or instant messages, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) including the phrase “the National” or “the Sunday National”. This should include...

FOI cost limit 45 score 11 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.3 s.4 s.12
Published
2019-04-05
Reference
FOI/19/00798
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector