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

211 matching releases

Correspondence regarding Chair of Ferguson Marine: FOI release

1. A copy of any meeting minutes, external correspondence, read out of phone calls or any other documentation which relate to the Cabinet Secretary’s discussions with the Board of Ferguson Marine about Mr Tydeman’s performance and position as Chief Executive on 28th February. Please also include any internal correspond...

FOI not held 70 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.17(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-07-10
Reference: FOI/202400406714
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Public sector

United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) Correspondence: FOI release

You asked for all correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) between ministers of the Scottish Government and their special advisors mentioning the term 'United Nations Relief and Works...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-07-09
Reference: FOI/202400396004
Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Former First Minister's interests correspondence: 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 Aamer Anwar being included as a "personal friend" in the First Minister's interests.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-07-04
Reference: FOI/202300390913
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Creative Scotland decision to fund Rein: FOI release

Supply any ministerial or first ministerial correspondence, or any other official correspondence from government to Creative Scotland on the subject of Rein, in the form of memos, emails, whatsapp or any other written or digital media in the period after March 10. Also I would be obliged if you supply any internal gov...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-05-13
Reference: FOI/202400406856
Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

All emails, text messages, WhatsApp's, minutes and other forms of communications of/between Ministers, SPADs, civil servants and other Scottish Government officials regarding/referencing/discussing the court case known as The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23) up ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-04-18
Reference: FOI/202300388336
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding 14th December 2023 Parliamentary statement: FOI release

"Any correspondence or records of world leaders approaching the Scottish Government for advice of any such topics. This could be email, letters, text or WhatsApp messages, I am sure any correspondence with world leaders on these topics would be recorded officially and I would like to see these. As well as the correspo...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.17(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-27
Reference: FOI/202300390011
Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Programme for government/FM and perm sec: FOI Review

All correspondence between the permanent secretary and/or his office and the first minister and/or his private office or special advisers relating to the 2023 programme for government. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include all emails or other electronic communications of any other kind (WhatsApp, Teams, Signa...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.33(2) s.38(1)

Published: 2024-03-18
Reference: FOI/202400401266
Directorate: Strategy Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information pertaining to WhatsApp messages: FOI Appeal

Request 1: I am writing to you to request the following information. For the month of August 2021, any WhatsApp messages or text messages sent or received by any government minister on government business. Request 2: I am writing to you to request the following information. For the entire month of March, 2021 (inc...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 88 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.17 s.26 s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.19 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-15
Reference: FOI Appeal of 202100255908 / 202100255912
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Jason Leitch WhatsApp messages: FOI release

Correspondence on the topic of how to respond to a media enquiry from The Times newspaper about Jason Leitch deleting his WhatsApp messages each day and any resulting follow-up enquiry by other journalists or publications. This should include, but not be limited to, discussions between civil servants, special advisers,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.30 s.38 s.36 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-20
Reference: FOI/202400394859
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

National Clinical Director WhatsApp messages: FOI release

All internal communications, including emails and informal electronic communications, which relate to the gathering of information in relation to this denial, the formulation of the denial and the signing off of the denial ("It is not correct to suggest that the National Clinical Director deleted every WhatsApp message...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.30 s.38 s.36 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-20
Reference: FOI/202400394753
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Various questions regarding COVID-19: FoI release

1. How many of Humza Yousaf's cabinet use their personal emails for government business? List of who does. 2. What was the final outcome of Ruth Charteris investigating into missing WhatsApps as referenced here: https://news.sky.com/story/scotlands-first-minister-humza-yousaf-to-fully-investigate-concerns-messages-not-...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending whatsapp s.2 s.17(1) s.3 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-02-09
Reference: FOI/202400392573
Directorate: Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public safety and emergencies, +1 more … Public sector

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spending review: FOI release

All correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service regarding the Scottish Government’s Resource Spending Review. Ple...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-01-29
Reference: 202200303696
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Public sector

WhatsApp messages relating to council tax freeze: FOI release

Under FOISA please provide all whatsapps messages sent and received by a) Ministers, b) Special Advisers, and c) Senior Civil Servants, between the dates 10/10/23 and 23/10/23 regarding Council Tax and the Council Tax Freeze

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2024-01-26
Reference: FOI/202300383164
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic: Public sector

WhatsApp messages relating to council tax freeze: FOI review

In your FOISA request of 31 October 2023 you requested: “all whatsapp messages sent and received by a) Ministers, b) Special Advisers, and c) Senior Civil Servants, between the dates 10/10/23 and 23/10/23 regarding Council Tax and the Council Tax Freeze” Your email asked for a review of the response to the request on t...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 9 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.30

Published: 2024-01-26
Reference: FOI/202300388284 review of 202300383164
Directorate: Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic

All communications with SPS regarding Isla Bryson: FOI review

You asked for a review of our failure to respond to your request dated 27 January 2023 under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for: A copy of any written communication or records of verbal communication between ministers relating to Adam Graham/Isla Bryson, the minutes of any meetings where they w...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 81 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.25(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-01-23
Reference: FOI 202300350955 Review of 202300340371
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Resignation of Eilidh Mactaggart: FOI review

All correspondence including emails, briefing notes, text and WhatsApp messages, documents and memos relating to the resignation of Eilidh Mactaggart, the CEO of the Scottish National Investment Bank.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2024-01-23
Reference: 202200285209
Directorate: International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic: Public sector

2022 exam appeals - internal communications: FOI review

I have now completed my review of our response to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) originally submitted on 19 May: Please release the following information regarding the 2022 exam appeals: All internal communication involving the following: Ministers Special Advisers Communic...

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-01-17
Reference: FOI/202300357586 Review of 202200328831
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information around devices supplied to Ministers: FOI release

Q1. What types of Government supplied devices are used by Government Ministers (including the First Minister) and Cabinet Secretaries? Q2. What applications are allowed to be installed on these devices? For example, Microsoft Word, Scotrail Timetable, Microsoft Outlook & Teams, iMessage or WhatsApp? Q3. What systems ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.30 s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-01-10
Reference: 202200329558
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Ministerial appointments to the Cairngorms National Park Authority board: FOI release

What evidence was provided (in the form of emails, telephone calls, documents, messages, including by WhatsApp, Snapchat and text) to the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity - to allow her to determine that the skills of current Ministerial Appointments to the Cairngorms National Park Authority...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.22 22 attachments

Published: 2024-01-03
Reference: 202300344896
Directorate: Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Prison Service mobile phones for prisoners: FOI release

Whether any value for money review has been conducted of the Scottish Prison Service’s mobile phones for prisoners project since its introduction in April 2020. All correspondence between the Scottish Prison Service and Scottish Ministers and their Special Advisers regarding prisoner mobile phones. Please provide this ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.38(1) s.33(1) s.34(1) s.35(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.20 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-28
Reference: 202300358582
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence in relation to the early cancellation of Abellio's contract to run ScotRail: FOI release

Correspondence and minutes of meetings between ScotRail senior management, Abellio, Transport Scotland, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson between October and December 2019 in relation to the early cancellation of Abellio's contract to run ScotRail. Correspondence and minutes of meetings between the same partners bet...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 277 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings contracts whatsapp s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.38 8 attachments

Published: 2023-12-22
Reference: 202200299631
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

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

Correspondence between First Minister, Humza Yousaf and Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak since Mr Yousaf became First Minister: FOI release

Provide any and all correspondence between First Minister Humza Yousaf and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak since Mr Yousaf became First Minister on March 28? This might include emails, letters or details/minutes of meetings, telephone calls, SMS/Whatsapp messages between Mr Yousaf and Mr Sunak. Can details/minutes of thei...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.28 s.38(1) s.28(1) s.30 s.39(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-21
Reference: 202300364253
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Funding for V&A museum in Dundee and Kings Theatre in Edinburgh: FOI release

How much money has the Scottish Government and any Scot Gov quango handed out overall to the V&A museum in Dundee? Breakdown by year, how much was given and what for? Over that same time period how much money has the government or any Scot Gov quango handed out to the Kings Theatre in Edinburgh? Breakdown by year, how ...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-16
Reference: 202300340809
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding spend to mitigate UK welfare policy in Aberdeen City Council: FOI release

All correspondence, WhatsApp and text messages in relation to a parliamentary question concerning Scottish Government spend to mitigate UK welfare policy in Aberdeen City Council within the last five years.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers spending whatsapp s.38 s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-14
Reference: FOI/202300376380
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Money and tax, Public sector