Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,821releases indexed
39,386attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,087partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-05-19newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,087 unclear 7,198 not held 3,059 released 1,536 already published 668 cost limit 607 clarification 348 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4917 s.20 4260 s.34(1) 3574 s.39(2) 3461 s.30 2875 s.17(1) 2767 s.25(1) 2374 s.10(4) 1976 s.11(2) 1564 s.29(1) 1174 s.2 1155 s.3 905

Timeline

2026-05 368 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 963 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 919 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 860 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 728 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 632 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
2,153 matching releases

Scottish Parliament legal correspondence regarding UNCRC Bill: FOI release

Copies of any correspondence (letters, emails, texts or otherwise between Scottish Government Officials and Scottish Government Ministers on the subject of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill where "competency" or the Scottish Parliament's legal competence is discuss...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 55 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-22
Reference
FOI/202100257606
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Appointments to BBC Board Scotland Nation Member: FOI release

“Copies of all correspondence, digital and physical, record and notes of meetings regarding appointment to the position of the Scotland Nation Member on the Board of the BBC from August 1 2021 until today - involving at least, but not limited to, the Scottish Government, UK Government, BBC and the Commissioner for Publ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-17
Reference
FOI/202100267466
Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Correspondence regarding United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Bill: FOI release

"Copies of any correspondence (emails, texts, letters or otherwise) between Scottish Government officials and Ministers, where the UK Supreme Court decision on the case 'REFERENCE by the Attorney General and the Advocate General for Scotland – United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotla...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 56 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-17
Reference
FOI/202100257512
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Transport Scotland fleet vehicle details: FOI release

The registration, make and model of Transport Scotland fleet vehicles.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 13 working days correspondence s.30
Published
2022-03-16
Reference
FOI/202200281325
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Clinical advice provided to First Minister regarding self isolation rules: FOI release

The clinical advice received by the First Minister regarding self-isolation rules, in particular regarding the length of time that the self-isolation period should be and isolation for household contacts of a positive PCR case. Please provide this information for the following separate periods: The week commencing 6 De...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-15
Reference
FOI/202200269448
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Clinical advice given to First Minister regarding self isolation: FOI release

The clinical advice given to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon regarding self-isolation and Covid 19 in the period 1 December 2021 and 5 January 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-15
Reference
FOI/202200269512
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence regarding potential participation in UK Government scheme ‘Project Adder’: FOI release

1. Any internal Scottish Government correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) regarding the Scottish Government’s potential participation in the UK Government scheme ‘Project Adder’. Please provide corre...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 53 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings s.28 s.29(1)A s.30 s.38(1)B 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-14
Reference
FOI/202100253357
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Lochaber Smelter Guarantee Ministerial Submission: FOI Review

You expressed you were not satisfied with our reply to your original Freedom of Information (FoI) request which was allocated reference number 202100256434: “1. Please supply a copy of the submission(s), on the subject of the Lochaber Smelter Guarantee(s), provided to ministers for approval. 2. Please also provide a co...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.33(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-10
Reference
FOI/202200270012 Review of 202100256434
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Details of preparations for Papal visit during COP26: FOI release

A copy of all preparations by the Scottish Government to have: welcomed the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Scotland, accommodated any attempt by the Holy Father to have communicated Divine Mercy to the government within the Scottish Parliament, and thanked the Pope upon departing Scotland.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.30 s.32(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-08
Reference
FOI/202200269217
Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Recruitment of Chief Executive Officer of Scottish Rail Holdings: FOI release

Regarding the recruitment of Mr Chris Gibb as Chief Executive Officer of Scottish Rail Holdings: 1. Was this recruitment conducted by an external recruiter, and if so, what were the costs involved in this? 2. How many candidates were considered for this position? 3. Please provide any ministerial briefings or emails to...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts spending s.30 s.33(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-08
Reference
FOI/202100266550
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Communications regarding teachers' class contact time: FOI release

Any communication between the Scottish Government (ministers, spads, learning directorate) and COSLA regarding the reduction of teachers' class contact time. This should include records of meetings, and attachments to emails.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-03
Reference
FOI/202200275188
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Lord Advocate Scottish Cabinet meetings attendance dates: FOI release

1. "Please list all the dates when the current Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain QC, attended Scottish Government Cabinet. Please provide this information from 6 May 2021 to the present date." 2. "When the Lord Advocate has attended Cabinet, the Cabinet’s agenda for that meeting as well as the reason the Lord Advocate was in...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30
Published
2022-03-03
Reference
FOI/202200276393
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Briefing notes prepared for Criminal Justice Committee September 2021: FOI review

Your request, reference 202100236359 Full content of all briefing notes, papers etc providing to the Cabinet secretary for Justice and Veterans and the minister for Community Safety in respect of their appearance before the Criminal Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament on 1 September 2021. Your review request, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 77 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.16(2) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-01
Reference
FOI/202100245911 review of 202100236359
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Lord Advocate meetings: FOI release

“1) 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) The Lord Advocate's meetings wit...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.36 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-01
Reference
FOI/202200273192
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Public sector

Covid-19 reopening of schools: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, typed or hand-written notes, phone calls or otherwise) concerning the reopening of schools. Any briefings or analysis issued to Ministers on the subject of (at least in part) the reopening of schools. This was to cover the period 25 February 2021 to 04...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 221 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.28(1) s.28 s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-28
Reference
FOI/202100178134
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Communication relating to education recovery plan: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications on the subject of the Education Recovery plan which was published on 05 October 2021 (link). I would like this information between 01 September 2021 and 01 October 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 77 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-28
Reference
FOI/202100245473
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Mortuary access compliance and guidance responses: FOI release

You asked Further to this letter issued by Richard McCalum: https://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/dl/DL(2021)42.pdf Please can I have a copy of all responses received.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-24
Reference
FOI/202100260607
Directorate
Health and Social Care Finance Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence on due diligence process regarding Tata Steel and Liberty Steel agreement: FOI release

1. Any copies or internal and external correspondence discussing the due diligence process and outcome, received by the Scottish Government around the Dalzell deal brokered by the Scottish Government between Tata Steel and Liberty Steel. 2. Any copies of the advice since March 2021 covering due diligence of this year a...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence s.30 8 attachments
Published
2022-02-24
Reference
FOI/202100264823
Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Communication regarding drafting of Covid-19 physical distancing guidance: FOI release

full details and copies of all internal and external correspondence regarding the drafting of the document; Coronavirus (COVID-19): calculating physical distancing capacity in public settings - draft Please provide full details of all internal ScotGov departments that were involved in the draft and all external individ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 200 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-23
Reference
FOI/202100194633
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Communication with SQA from May 2021: FOI release

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Qualifications Authority from 17 May to 23 June 2021, broken down by 6 separate timeframes (Micase refs: 239803, 239817, 239833, 239841, 239847, 239858). Clarification was provided on 27 September 2021, that the request related to the 'future of the SQA in...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 86 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-21
Reference
FOI/202100239833
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence with IOD PARC as consultancy support ahead of COP26: FOI release

1. All internal correspondence between the Scottish Government and IOD PARC or its employees as part of the firm's work as consultancy support ahead of COP26 to develop a strategy for how the Scottish Government could reach its aims for the Under 2 Coalition and COP26. 2. All copies of the contract, specification of wo...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence contracts s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2022-02-17
Reference
FOI/202100262390
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Scotland specific aspect of HS2: FOI release

The following information:- I wish to request, under FoI, correspondence during 2021 between Transport Scotland and its UK Government counterparts over a Scotland specific aspect of HS2.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.27(1) s.27 s.30 s.33(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2022-02-16
Reference
FOI/202100261368
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Children's health and wellbeing census 21/22: FOI release

A series of questions, and for information, with regards to the Health and Wellbeing Census. These are dealt with below. What age children are targeted by the census? You also asked for: 1) A full copy of the census. 2) A copy of the ministerial sign-off of the census. 3) A copy of senior civil service sign-off of the ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.3 s.4 s.5 s.6 s.7 s.8 s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2022-02-16
Reference
FOI/202100260600
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Communications with Lorna Slater MSP regarding workload and duties during COP26: FOI release

Please provide any communications between minister Lorna Slater and officials in October/November where Ms Slater raises: The scope and nature of her workload/duties; The number of engagements she will have to undertake per day; Her preferences about any limits of numbers of engagements carried out during COP26;

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-16
Reference
FOI/202100262420
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence regarding Covid-19 bereaved families: FOI review

Further to my letter of 17 January I have now completed my review of our response to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for copies of all correspondence, notes, text messages or other records in respect of Correspondence sent to the Cabinet Secretary, Humza Yousaf on 25 May and 1...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.36(1)
Published
2022-02-15
Reference
FOI/202200270020 review of 202100247071
Directorate
Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector