Scottish Government FOI Index

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

238 matching releases

Non-disclosure agreements signed by former Ferguson Marine workers: FOI release

All correspondence between Scottish Government communications staff, government ministers and special advisers in February 2020 on media enquiries regarding non-disclosure agreements signed by former workers at the Ferguson Marine shipyard.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.30 s.38(1) 8 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202200298010
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Attendees and details of Director-General Corporate meetings regarding Covid-19 Inquiry: FOI release

1. All meetings between any current or former Scottish Minister and the Director-General Corporate of the Scottish Government regarding the Covid Inquiry, the Scottish Government’s Record/Information Management Policy or the mobile messaging apps - usage and policy guidance (including any draft versions of that policy)...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-07
Reference: FOI/202300383319
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Correspondence with SG Interim Chief Statistician and members of the SG: FOI release

All email correspondence between the Scottish Government's Interim Chief Statistician, Ally McAlpine, and members of the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) from 1st April 2022 until 25th October 2022. You provided clarification on 26 October that the information you are req...

FOI clarification 80 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-05
Reference: 202200326705
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

£20m independence fund: FOI release

What is the Scottish Government now doing with its £20m independence fund due to the Supreme Court ruling? If they are using it for independence how are you justifying it considering the Supreme Court ruled the government cannot legally legislate for a referendum? Any correspondence (including emails, WhatsApps) betwee...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-11-28
Reference: 202200331939
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence on transgender guidance in schools: FOI release

Any correspondence (letters, emails, notes, minutes of meetings or otherwise) between the Scottish Government and senior civil servants, special advisers, or the First Minister on the topic of transgender guidance in schools between January 2021 and the present day.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 77 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-28
Reference: 202200333588
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

Correspondence between Scottish Ministers and the Press office regarding the Scottish Green Conference or party in general: FOI release

Internal correspondence between the press office and from the press office to Scottish Ministers and special advisers in March 2022 on the Scottish Green conference or the Scottish Greens generally.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38 s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-23
Reference: 202200291466
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence: FOI release

On 17th October, the Scottish Government published Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence. It included this statement: "Given the uncertainty over the outlook for the global, UK, and Scottish economies, and future fiscal and economic policy decisions by the UK and Scottish governments prior to ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-22
Reference: 202200325262
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Comparability of Ireland's GDP with Scotland's GDP: FOI release

All internal Scottish Government discussion (including between Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers), 6th May 2021 to date, on the question of the comparability of Ireland's GDP with Scotland's GDP.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-21
Reference: 202300353396
Directorate: Chief Economist Directorate
Topic: Public sector

External review carried out by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde: FOI release

Information contained in all communications, discussions, documents and meetings within the Scottish Government and with any other public authority or person in relation to the external review to be carried out by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (of allegations and disclosures and material in relation to actions carried ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 56 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-14
Reference: 202200334659
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence relating to Europe's offshore wind resources: FOI release

This request relates to a previous FOI response, reference: 202200325962 On page 5 of the correspondence attachment to the above referenced FOI response, an email sent on 30th September 2022 states that the below paragraph of text was provided to “another team: “The claim about 25% of Europe's offshore wind resources...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-11-12
Reference: 202200333683
Directorate: Marine 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

Correspondence referencing Long Covid to and from special advisers: FOI release

A copy of any correspondence from 2 August 2021 - 29 September 2021 to and from Special advisors referencing Long Covid in any context (including emails, word documents and meeting minutes).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 64 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.20 4 attachments

Published: 2023-10-25
Reference: 202300336977
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Prison Service lessons learned review: FOI release

When the Scottish Prison Service CEO received the lessons learned review into the case of Isla Bryson which the Scottish Government claimed would happen on 3 February 2023. The final version of the Scottish Prison Service’s report on the lessons learned review and any draft versions of this report completed by the Scot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 63 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-23
Reference: 202300342588
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Renewable Statisic: EIR review

At FMQs on 22nd June 2023, the First Minister made a false statement about Scotland's share of the UK's renewables. Please provide all correspondence sent by the First Minister to the Presiding Officer and other MSPs notifying them of his false statement and proposed correction to the Official Report. Please also provi...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.20 s.39(2) s.29 s.38 s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-10-13
Reference: FOI/202300376627 Review of 202300367955
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, 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

Communications with Operation Branchform Mentions: FOI release

All emails sent or received by Scottish Ministers and/or Special Advisers containing the term “Branchform” or “Branch form”. Please provide the full contents of emails containing either of these terms dating back to 1 September 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.35(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-08-21
Reference: FOI/202300367384
Directorate: Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic: Public sector

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

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture answer to Offshore Wind Resources question: FOI release

Please provide all Scottish Government correspondence (including Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers) and briefing materials, relating to Angus Robertson’s response to Liam Kerr’s urgent question, asked in the Scottish Parliament on 28th February 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-05-11
Reference: FOI/202300345563
Directorate: Offshore Wind Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Correspondence and Briefing relating to Transgender Prisoners: FOI release

All government correspondence (including emails, whatsapps, text) between officials, civil servants, ministers, special advisers, outside sources that mention Isla Bryson or Adam Graham over the last three months.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 63 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.38(1) s.29(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-05-09
Reference: FOI/202300342026
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence regarding 2022 school examinations: FOI Review

Original request - 202100231963 "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 internal communication between the Scottish Government members and staff (first minister, education secretary, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 178 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.38 s.36 2 attachments

Published: 2023-04-19
Reference: FOI/202200312728 Review of 202100231963
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

Ministerial briefings on Audit Scotland report into ferry hulls 801 and 802 construction: FOI release

1) Any ministerial briefings on the subject of Audit Scotland's report into the construction of island ferries hulls 801 and 802 between March 1 and July 1, 2022. 2) Any correspondence between ministers, special advisers, senior civil servants - including WhatsApp and other instant messaging apps - on how the handle th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.33(1) s.38(1) s.30 10 attachments

Published: 2023-01-11
Reference: FOI/202200324642
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Visit of Michelle O'Neill to Bute House and meeting with First Minister: FOI release

On May 20 this year, Michelle O'Neill MLA visited the First Minister at Bute House. https://www.gov.scot/news/first-minister-meets-michelle-oneill-mla/ Please supply all items of information generated by the First Minister, her officials and special advisers in relation to the arranging of this meeting, its conduct and...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-10-19
Reference: FOI/202200312323
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) equality practices agreement: FOI release

The EHRC has today announced that the SQA has signed an agreement to improve its equality practices. Under FOISA, please release any material held by the Scottish Government (specifically ministers, the learning directorate, special advisers and media/press office staff) regarding this agreement and the SQA’s signing o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 228 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2022-08-30
Reference: FOI/202100244075
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector