Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,829releases indexed
39,404attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,094partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-05-19newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,094 unclear 7,198 not held 3,060 released 1,536 already published 668 cost limit 607 clarification 348 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4920 s.20 4265 s.34(1) 3577 s.39(2) 3466 s.30 2876 s.17(1) 2768 s.25(1) 2375 s.10(4) 1978 s.11(2) 1565 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1155 s.3 905

Timeline

2026-05 376 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 920 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
2,154 matching releases

“Extended Presumption Against Short Sentences – Monitoring Information July 2019 – December 2019” statistical publication: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, texts or instant messages, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) between Peter Malek, Justice Analytical Services and (i) Scottish Government ministers, (ii) special advisers, (iii) officials, (i...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-03-25
Reference
FOI/202000017806
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence between various education departments & agencies regarding fees: FOI appeal

“Please provide digital copies of all emails, documents, memoranda, policy notices and legal advice in the possession of the Scottish Government which were received, written or sent during the period from 1 September 2011 to 1 April 2014, within, from or to, any of the following parts of the Scottish Government: SAAS, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.21(4) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 6 attachments
Published
2020-03-25
Reference
FOI/202000016099 Review
Directorate
Topic
Education, Money and tax, Public sector

Scottish benefit regime - PIP & DLA migration: FOI release

You asked us to provide answers to the following questions: How will an adult on PIP or DLA move onto the Scottish regime? What will the rates of benefit be for these disabled members of the community? Will the Scottish regime accept and pay for a report if the person attends a private Dr? Can you release any guidance...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2020-03-09
Reference
FOI/20/00117
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Questions on amendment to Motion S5M-20716: FOI release

You asked for the following information in relation to the amendment by Kate Forbes to motion S5M-20716 debated on 5 February 2020: What advice the minister received from civil servants regarding the figure of £1.5 billion. Please detail the estimates drawn up by officials and publish any advice, correspondence, memos...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2020-03-06
Reference
FOI/202000015228
Directorate
Public Spending Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Social Security Scotland new headquarters correspondence and timeline: FOI release

Any correspondence (emails, letters, minutes of calls, briefings and/or otherwise) between the Cabinet Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville and any of the Executive Team at Social Security Scotland, between 1 July 2019 to present, regarding: a) The acquiring of new headquarters for Social Security Scotland in Dundee. b) A...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2020-03-04
Reference
FOI/20/00118
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial correspondence concerning the Early Learning and Childcare expansion delivery progress report: FOI review

You asked for: Any correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, documents or otherwise) involving Scottish Government ministers and/or senior civil servants and/or special advisors regarding the following publication prior to its release date, including the original dr...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.21(4) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-03-02
Reference
FOI/19/02233
Directorate
Early Learning and Childcare Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Meeting documents of Transport Minister and author of Rail for Reform Scotland report: FOI release

You asked for the following in digital format: “any documentation pertaining to the meeting between Michael Matheson and Tom Harris on 1.7.19. This should include any minutes, agenda, briefings, notes of conversations (including telephone) or any other documentation pertaining to the meeting, including handwritten not...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 2 attachments
Published
2020-02-19
Reference
FOI/20/00069
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Disability and Carers Expert Advisory Group correspondence: FOI release

The reports and correspondence between the Disability and Carers Benefits Expert Advisory Group and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People since June 2019.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2020-02-18
Reference
FOI/20/00092
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Scottish and UK Government correspondence on setting the Scottish budget 2020-21: FOI release

You asked for: Any correspondence, including but not limited to emails, phone records, letters and text messages between the Scottish and UK Governments over the Scottish budget setting process for the financial year 2020/21.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence whatsapp s.30 s.25(1) s.28(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2020-02-12
Reference
FOI/202000011979
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

All correspondence pertaining to the First Minister's visit to Coca Cola factory: FOI release

You asked for: Any documentation pertaining to Nicola Sturgeon’s visit to Coca Cola on 31.7.19. This should include any letters, emails, briefings, and notes of conversations (including telephone) pertaining to the visit.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.38(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.33 2 attachments
Published
2020-02-12
Reference
FOI/202000011679
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Economy, Public sector, +1 more … Work and skills

Correspondence concerning the meeting about Newlands Junior College: FOI release

You asked for: All notes and minutes pertaining to a meeting between John Swinney and Jim McColl about Newlands Junior College, which took place on 16th January 2019.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence meetings s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-02-10
Reference
FOI/202000011519
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Education, Public sector, +1 more … Work and skills

Documents relating to case against former First Minister: FOI release

You asked for "any and all information held by the Scottish Government on its investigation into former First Minister Alex Salmond over claims of sexual impropriety. The documents I would like to request should include, but not be limited to, minutes of meetings, emails and official reports."

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) s.35(1) s.35(2) 2 attachments
Published
2020-01-29
Reference
FOI/202000010911
Directorate
Topic
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

Scottish Enterprise correspondence regarding Bookdonors: FOI release

You asked for all documents and correspondence between Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Government in relation to Bookdonors since March 2018.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2020-01-14
Reference
FOI/201900009442
Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Public sector

Galloway Council correspondence regarding Private Finance Initiative (PFI) waste: FOI release

You asked: I would like to request under FOI a copy of all correspondence between the Scottish Government and Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding the waste PFI since the start of 2017.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2020-01-13
Reference
FOI/201900009236
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Public sector

Incident at Kirkwall airport on 5 April 2019 correspondence: FOI release

You asked for: Copies of all the information Transport Scotland holds – including all correspondence (from 5 April 2019 until now) the transport minister/Transport Scotland staff have had with Highlands and Islands Airport Ltd (HIAL) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – on an incident that happened at Kirkwall air...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-01-09
Reference
FOI/19/02557
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Executive Advisory Body - item papers to support the agenda items: FOI review

I request that a review of the decision FOI/19/02144 is conducted, as I am dissatisfied with the reasons given to withhold information.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.30 2 attachments
Published
2020-01-09
Reference
FOI/19/02144 Review
Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Money and tax, Public sector

Draft Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill forwomen.scot meeting: FOI release

You asked for: "......the note of a meeting with a member of forwomen.scot which meeting was referred to in the Scottish Government’s consultation on a draft Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, in Annex J, the Equality Impact Assessment."

FOI partially withheld 90 score 2 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2020-01-08
Reference
FOI/202000010981
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Scottish Police Authority budget correspondence: FOI release

You asked for all correspondence between the Scottish Police Authority and the Scottish Government Finance Department that relate to the budget and deficit approval process for the budget of the Scottish Police Authority for each of the years for 16/17, 17/18, 18/19, and 19/20.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.36(2) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2019-12-30
Reference
FOI/201900009484
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Rural GPs and rural communities in the Highlands and Islands: FOI appeal

Copies of all electronic correspondence involving ministers and/or officials, and other stakeholders, from the last six months in which there is discussion about the impact of the GP contract on rural GPs and rural communities in the Highlands and Islands.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 46 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2019-12-17
Reference
FOI/19/01413
Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Bed bugs at schools - First Minister correspondence: FOI review

For the contents of any emails or letters to Nicola Sturgeon (including emails to either the First Minister or SNP account) in 2019 on the topic of bed bugs at schools.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.17(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-12-16
Reference
FOI/201900006881
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Health and social care, Public sector

Early Learning and Childcare Expansion Delivery Progress Report correspondence: FOI review

Any correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, documents or otherwise) involving Scottish Government ministers and/or senior civil servants and/or special advisors regarding the following publication prior to its release date, including the original draft of the publi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2019-12-16
Reference
FOI/201900004763
Directorate
Early Learning and Childcare Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Social Security Programme Gateway 0 reviews and health check: FOI appeal

“Under FOISA, please provide copies of the three Social Security Programme Gateway 0 (Strategic Assessment) reviews (dated September 2015, March 2016, and November 2017) and the Agency Gateway Review Health check (dated May 2018).”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 46 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.28(1) s.30 s.29(1) s.38(1) 8 attachments
Published
2019-12-10
Reference
FoI/19/00065
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Social Security Scotland Executive Advisory Body minutes and agendas - August meeting: FOI release

You asked: Under FOISA, please provide all drafts and copies of Social Security Scotland Executive Advisory Body minutes and agendas relating to the 20 August 2019 meeting. This should include versions of the minutes and agendas not published at https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/what-we-do/minutes-meetings-and-agen...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence meetings spending s.27(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 12 attachments
Published
2019-12-06
Reference
FOI/19/02436
Directorate
Topic
Public sector