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
454 matching releases

Scottish Information Commissioner's Decision Notice: FOI release

Any internal or external correspondence, including any attachments, WhatsApp messages, text messages, instant messaging, memos, OneNotes, minutes, agendas, appendixes or other correspondence, relating to the Scottish Information Commissioner's Decision Notice, reference number 048-2022, and related FOIs.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 6 attachments
Published
2023-12-21
Reference
202200297190
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Decision making process surrounding the FMEL ferries: FOI release

On 3 May 2022 John-Paul Marks appeared in front of the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee. He was answering questions on the decision making process surrounding the FMEL ferries. In particular he was asked if the failure to properly keep written records of decision making process was a breach of the law. He stated t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings contracts s.30 s.33(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-21
Reference
202200298441
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights correspondence around accommodation: FOI release

All correspondence (digital and paper), meeting notes and minutes, and telephone call transcripts between the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights, Patrick Harvie MSP, and individuals or organisations claiming to represent a) tenants, b) private landlords, c) social landlords and d) pur...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 62 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.38(1) s.30 54 attachments
Published
2023-12-18
Reference
202300346134
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Supreme Court decision on the independence referendum: FOI release

Has there been any change in the policy in relation to the allocation of resources and support to Ministers for the purposes of developing the case for Scottish independence in light of the decision in last week’s Supreme Court case? If so, what is that change? If not, please set out the legal and policy basis upon whi...

FOI released 100 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.30 s.5 s.7 s.51 s.1 s.14 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-16
Reference
202200332779
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Safety of COVID-19 vaccine for children: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence including the then First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, relating to the decision to offer COVID-19 vaccines to children under the age of 16 in Scotland. The vaccine was originally advised NOT to be given to children by the JCVI, but the Government(s) at Holyrood and Westminster would over-rule ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-13
Reference
202300353460
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister's advice and statement regarding handling of harassment: FOI release

The Scottish Government’s review of Alex Salmond’s submission to the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints Committee where he identified 46 documents that were inappropriately withheld during the civil and criminal cases that had subsequently been passed to the Committee by the Scottish Government. The ...

FOI withheld 80 score 536 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.26 s.25(1) s.30 s.35(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.35(2) s.34(1) 14 attachments
Published
2023-12-11
Reference
202100170091
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Guidance on non-departmental bodies, advisory bodies, working groups, and commissions: FOI release

Any Scottish Government documents that offer guidance in setting up: non-departmental public bodies working groups commissions any bodies that contain members paid to advise the Scottish Government

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.30 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200330276
Directorate
Public Service Reform Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding Deputy First Minister statement on COVID-19 Inquiry: FOI release

All correspondence, briefings, question and answer preparation and notes provided to Shona Robinson in preparation for the ministerial statement on October 31 2023 entitled: Covid-19 Inquiries (Scottish Government's provision of information).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-07
Reference
FOI/202300383809
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Lord Advocate statement to Parliament on her referral to the Supreme Court on the matter of an Independence Bill being within the competence of the Scottish Parliament: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Lord Advocate from June 2022 in relation to requests for the Lord Advocate to provide a statement to Parliament on her referral to the Supreme Court on the matter of an independence Bill being within the competence of the Scottish Parliament.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-30
Reference
202200309710
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Children's health and wellbeing census: FOI release

You asked for correspondence between the Scottish government and Councils on the census matter between those December 2021 and 24 March 2022. You asked for an unredacted copy of Annex A of FOI 202100260600 https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202100260600/ as the response to this FOI had been heavily redacted. The S30...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts spending s.12 s.30 s.33(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.38 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200299353
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice on independence referendum: FOI release

The amount spent on legal advice regarding the Scottish Government’s prospectus for an independent Scotland between 07 September 2021 and the date of response to this inquiry? Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, brief...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
202200287065
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

SQA equalities judgement: FOI release

Any correspondence relating to the SQA equalities judgement.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 428 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25 s.30 s.30C s.23 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-13
Reference
202100246964
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Letter referenced by John Swinney in Stage 3 debate on UNCRC Bill: FOI release

Internal or external correspondence between 04/03/2021 and 04/06/2021 on the topic of the letter referenced by John Swinney MSP in the Official Report from the Stage 3 debate on the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 81 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202200280656
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice and correspondence relating to operation branchform: FOI release

1. The cost of any legal advice - either from the Scottish Government's legal directorate or from external advisers/counsel - in regards to Operation Branchform. 2. Any internal correspondence among senior civil servants, special advisers, and ministers (including any attachments or referenced briefings) on the topic o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.35(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300368382
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Historic injustice apology: FOI release

You asked for information relation to three apologies for historic injustice by the Scottish Government, namely those relating to historical adoption practices, criminalisation of same-sex male relations and persecution of women accused of witchcraft. The information you sought about each apology is: 1. All outputs of ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.18(1) s.28 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300368384
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Infected Blood Compensation or the Infected Blood Inquiry: FoI review

“…copies of all correspondence relating to Infected Blood Compensation or the Infected Blood Inquiry second interim report sent to or received by the below persons (including any attachments) during the period 1st April 2023 - 6th June 2023. 1) John-Paul Marks (Permanent Secretary) 2) David Rogers (Director of Constitu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.38 s.29(1) s.30 s.28(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-01
Reference
FOI/202300367507 review of 202300360427
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Statements to Parliament by Cabinet Secretary for Education, Shirley-Ann Sommerville 02/02/23: FOI release

1a) was the Cabinet Secretary fully aware of the publicly stated breach of the ACAS code by the Chair of SLC (Paul Hutchinson) on the 23rd January prior to her response in parliament on the 2nd February? b) is the Cabinet Secretary still ‘content’ that due process has been followed by the SLC Board in relation to the ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 10 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.3 s.12 s.4 s.1 s.30
Published
2023-10-31
Reference
202300349269
Directorate
Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic
Public sector

ERDM folder dedicated to FOI 202100233415: FOI Release

You asked for “1) The contents of the one ERDM folder dedicated to FOI 202100233415 which includes 53 items detailed in the response to FOI 202300363650.”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.47(1) s.49(3) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-30
Reference
FOI/202300368165
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Consideration of alternatives to judicial review of section 35 Order: FOI release

Further to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice's statement to Channel 4 News on 12 April that "the Scottish Government has given due consideration to the other alternatives [to bringing legal action on the current Section 35 Order], to ensure that we didn't get into a place of having a judicial review" (see here: ...

FOI already published 80 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.35 s.36(1) s.25(1) s.27(1) s.3(2) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-24
Reference
202300351714
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding the ban on alcohol on trains from 1 January, 2022 to date: FOI release

Any correspondence including memos, minutes, agendas, attachments to emails, between ScotRail and the Scottish Government on the topic of the ban on alcohol on trains from January 1, 2022 to date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 221 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.29(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-20
Reference
202200313459
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence on the alcohol ban on ScotRail trains: FOI release

Please send me correspondence with the Scotrail on the alcohol ban on ScotRail trains. Please also send me the number antisocial behaviour incidents recorded each month since January 2018.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 221 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.30 s.29(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-20
Reference
202200313595
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Royal Household handling of requests: FOI release

Accordingly, please provide any information held by the Scottish Government in relation to the following matters: How any request by the Royal Household for information in relation to a Bill for which consent is sought, or any objection to the Bill’s content, are to be handled, including any general policies or practi...

FOI cost limit 45 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.20 s.30 s.36(1) s.41
Published
2023-10-11
Reference
202300359750
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
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

HM Inspector of Anatomy for Scotland investigation to Dundee University: FOI release

All information held by the Scottish Government – including the HM Inspector of Anatomy for Scotland – about the incident where a University of Dundee student posted video footage to social media that prompted an investigation by HMIAS in 2022. Please include all communication, both internal and external, relating to ...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-09-18
Reference
FOI/202300368952
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector