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
241 matching releases

Resource Spending Review: FOI release

all communications (emails, letters, texts, WhatsApp messages, phone calls, online meetings, in person meetings) between March 27th, 2023 and the present between Ministers(including the First Minister where applicable) officials working for Ministers and Special Advisors about the Resource Spending Review all communica...

FOI already published 80 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending whatsapp s.25(1) s.25 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-16
Reference
202300362826
Directorate
Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Briefings prepared for Former First Minister regarding Harassment Complaints: FoI release

Any briefings prepared for the First Minister ahead of First Minister’s Questions which took place on 10 December 2020 – specifically any briefings relating to the matter of the Salmond Inquiry.

FOI already published 80 score 86 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.30 s.25 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-06
Reference
FoI-202100145246
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC) decision 065/2023: FOI release

The information the Scottish Government has been instructed to disclose following the SIC decision 065/2023. Internal correspondence on the initial handling of the FOI that led to the appeal which in turn led to the SIC decision noted above, and internal correspondence around how the appeal process was handled once the...

FOI already published 80 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.30 s.47(1) s.49(3) s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-09-20
Reference
FOI/202300365708
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

All internal and external correspondence linked to Covid19: FOI release

You asked for: All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to the following meetings: 1a) John Swinney's meet...

FOI already published 80 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-09-15
Reference
202300338422
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Deputy First Ministers meetings with Lady Poole: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to the following meetings: John Swinney's meetings with Lady Poole...

FOI already published 80 score 100 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 10 attachments
Published
2023-08-09
Reference
FOI/202300338420
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Social Security Scotland set up, staff and running costs: FOI release

Request for Information 1: How many staff Social Security Scotland has employed in each year up to the date of this FOI? Request for Information 2: Total staff costs for each year since it was formed up to the date of this FOI Request for Information 3: How much has the entire process of setting up Social Security Sc...

FOI already published 55 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.30
Published
2023-07-24
Reference
FOI/202300361684
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

2022 exam appeals - internal communications: FOI release

The following information regarding the 2022 exam appeals: All internal communication involving the following: Ministers Special Advisers Communication staff Learning Directorate staff Education Reform Directorate staff The time frame for this request is April 1, 2022 - present. Communication would include, but woul...

FOI already published 80 score 137 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-23
Reference
FOI/202200328831
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications with Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) regarding 2022 exam appeals: FOI release

Please release the following information regarding the 2022 exam appeals: All communication between the Scottish Government and the SQA regarding the 2022 exam appeals. The time frame for this request is April 1, 2022 – present.

FOI already published 80 score 53 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-04-05
Reference
FOI/202200328835
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGoRR) meetings from 2022 onwards: FOI release

1. All Scottish Government Resilience Room (SGoRR) meetings that have taken place in 2022 and so far in 2023, including attendees of the meeting, the chair of the meeting, the reason for the meeting and any minutes that were recorded of these meetings.

FOI already published 80 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25 s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-03-02
Reference
FOI/202300336999
Directorate
Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic
Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

The sale of Lochaber assets of Rio Tinto Aluminium: FOI release

The areas I would appreciate any information held on are in relation to the sale of the Lochaber assets of Rio Tinto Aluminium (the Lochaber smelter, the two hydro-electric power stations and the associated Highland estate lands) to the GFG Alliance (including Liberty and SIMEC): (1) Any risk assessment carried out in ...

FOI already published 80 score 91 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending s.12 s.30 s.27 2 attachments
Published
2023-01-27
Reference
FOI/202200309183
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Civil Service briefings produced on the UNCRC prior to the bill being introduced: FOI release

Copies of any briefings or memos or other analysis on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill, produced by the Civil Service prior to the Bill being introduced to the Scottish Parliament.

FOI already published 80 score 235 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.10(1) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-31
Reference
FOI/202100257620
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Process and policy of Disclosure Scotland: FOI release

Guidance/process and policy Disclosure Scotland use to consider a person for listing for regulated work. You also requested the following: "In the five years how many people have appealed a decision to list a person for regulated work and the outcome - upheld or overturned Disclosure Scotland."

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.30 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-31
Reference
FOI/202200320767
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

‘Deer management’ and ‘Deer control’ correspondence received by Minister Lorna Slater MSP: FOI release

Internal and external correspondence received by Minister Lorna Slater MSP regarding ‘deer management’ and ‘deer control’ between 1 September 2021 and the present day.

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-05
Reference
FOI/202200315354
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Training and interaction between Police: FOI release

Information/communications/documents regarding any contact between Keith Brown, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, his Special Advisors and Civil Servants and Police Scotland regarding cooperation, training and interaction between Police Scotland and the Colombian Police, security services and Government. You ask that ...

FOI already published 80 score 58 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.10(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-18
Reference
FOI/202200299604
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Public sector

Basis of decision on passenger only ferry for Dunoon Gourock crossing: FOI release

1. Please supply the Minutes of the meeting at which the decision was taken. 2. If the principal reason for the decision was environmental please provide the evidence that the environmental benefits achieved between the vehicle ferry service ceasing on 30/June/2011 and the decision being taken in Dec/2018 were sufficie...

FOI already published 80 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-05
Reference
FOI/202200301538
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Documentation regarding 2022 National Qualifications: FOI release

The Scottish Government has today confirmed that exams will take place in 2022 (if safe to do so) - https://www.gov.scot/news/national-qualifications-2022/. Please release any documents (such as advice, analysis, briefings, options documents etc) outlining / analysing / considering etc. the options available for nation...

FOI already published 80 score 240 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100231966
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, 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

Redesign of Urgent Care programme: FOI Review

1. Any ministerial briefings on the programme. 2. A copy of the Second RUC Staging Report, which this report notes was due end September 2021. If a final report is not ready, please provide any drafts or summaries. 3. Any other internal evaluations of the RUC programme that have not been published. This would include e...

FOI already published 80 score 74 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.3 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-19
Reference
FOI/202100257472 Review of 202100250899
Directorate
Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Communications regarding lead teachers: FOI release

Copies of all communication involving the Scottish Government (ministers, advisers, learning directorate staff) regarding lead teachers (NB this includes attachments such as briefings, reports etc).

FOI already published 80 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.25 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-04-20
Reference
FOI/202200269303
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Discussion held regarding First Home Fund: FOI release

Copies of all communications involving Scottish Government Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries, sent between April 1 and October 22 of 2021, in which there is discussion of the First Home Fund.

FOI already published 80 score 67 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.29(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-02
Reference
FOI/202100250258
Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Communication with Scottish Qualification Authority: FOI release

Internal Scottish Government correspondence (including between ministers and civil servants) from 17 May to 27 June 2021 regarding the Scottish Qualifications Authority, broken down by 6 separate timeframes (Micase refs: 239784, 239798, 239823, 239840, 239842 & 239863). Clarification was provided on 27 September 2021, ...

FOI already published 80 score 86 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29 s.30 s.36 s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2022-02-21
Reference
FOI/202100239842
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications with Nil By Mouth: FOI release

Copies of any and all letter and email communications between the members of the Scottish Government (or those civil servants, or any advisors, or any special advisors, acting on their behalf) listed below and any officers, directors or volunteers of the charity Nil By Mouth (https://nilbymouth.org/) dated between 1st ...

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-08-04
Reference
FOI/202100220759
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Communications with SQA regarding National Qualification assessment 2021: FOI release

Any communications (including letters, emails, phone calls) between the Scottish Government and the SQA on the subject of SQA National Qualification assessments in 2021. I would like this information between 01 March 2021 and 26 March 2021.

FOI already published 80 score 72 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-07-12
Reference
FOI/202100187739
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Covid-19 outbreak following Nike conference held in Edinburgh: FOI release

1. All documents regarding a coronavirus outbreak following the Nike conference in Edinburgh. This should include any reports, or internal briefings prepared. 2. All internal correspondence regarding the coronavirus outbreak which occurred following a Nike conference in Edinburgh. 3. All correspondence between the Scot...

FOI already published 80 score 273 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.38 s.30 s.25 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-14
Reference
FOI/202000038482
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector