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
238 matching releases

Correspondence with Lord Advocate regarding the Supreme Court: FOI release

1) Any correspondence, including meetings, notes, memos, agendas, ministerial briefings and minutes, between the Scottish Government and the office of the Lord Advocate on the topic of the Lord Advocate's reference to the Supreme Court between January 1, 2022 and June 28, 2022. This should include any emails, letters, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-22
Reference
FOI/202200312193
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Internal communications regarding 2022 school examinations: FOI release

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, special advisers, learning direct...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 234 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100231959
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding 2022 school examinations: FOI release

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 details of any meetings (dates, attendees, whether it was in person/online/telephone) and associated documents (emails, minutes, briefing documents,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 239 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100231963
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications with Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) regarding exam support materials: FOI release

All communication between the Scottish Government (specifically ministers, special advisers, communications/PR staff and staff from the learning directorate) and the SQA regarding or relating to the exam support materials. The time frame for this request is 1 Jan 2022 to present.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 85 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202200290542
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications regarding crown consent provisions in Scottish legislation discussions: FOI Review

1) Copies of any internal Scottish government memos, briefing papers or emails concerning the question of changing the handling of crown consent in legislation and/or the way the crown consent provisions are communicated to MSPs, including but not exclusively to and from the Scottish government ministers and their spec...

FOI already published 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.29(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-20
Reference
FOI/202200278004 Review of 202200270508
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Internal communications regarding SQA appeals: FOI release

All internal communications involving ministers, special advisers and/or learning directorate officials regarding or referring to the appeals system for 2021 SQA results. The time frame for this request is 1/3/2021 - 2/6/2021

FOI partially withheld 90 score 191 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-18
Reference
FOI/202100208812
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Internal correspondence mentioning For Women Scotland work: FOI Review

Further to my letter of 14 January 2022, I have now completed my review of Any internal correspondence among civil servants within the Children and Families Directorate, Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate, senior civil servants, ministers and special advisers which includes the name of the charity "ForWom...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 68 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2022-06-30
Reference
FOI/202200272543 Review of 202100248103
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Conservative Party: FOI release

Internal correspondence between the press office and from the press office to special advisers and Scottish Ministers on the Conservative conference or the Conservatives generally during September or October 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2022-05-23
Reference
FOI/202200291454
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish National Investment Bank CEO resignation correspondence: FOI release

1. All correspondence between Scottish Government ministers, special advisers and civil servants relating to the resignation of Eilidh Mactaggart from the Scottish National Investment Bank between January 25 2022 and March 16 2022. 2. All correspondence between Scottish Government civil servants, special advisers and m...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-05-11
Reference
FOI/202200288213
Directorate
International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Money and tax, Public sector

Communications regarding lead teachers: FOI release

Copies of all communication involving the Scottish Government (ministers, advisers, learning directorate staff) regarding lead teachers (NB this includes attachments such as briefings, reports etc).

FOI already published 80 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.25 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-04-20
Reference
FOI/202200269303
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding class contact hours for Scottish teachers: FOI release

All correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, WhatsApp, Signal or SMS messages, documents or otherwise) involving the Scottish Government (Ministers, Special Advisers and Civil Servants) regarding proposals to reduce the number of class contact hours for Scottish teachers from the maximu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 36 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-04-07
Reference
FOI/202200286686
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence between Teneo Restructuring Limited in 2021: FOI release

“Any correspondence between Teneo Restructuring Limited and its employees including emails, letters, memos, meetings, handouts, and attachments to emails, with civil servants in the legal directorate or justice directorate, special advisers, the Lord Advocate’s office, The First Minister, Deputy First Minister, and Jus...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100256538
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Internal correspondence mentioning For Women Scotland work: FOI release

Any internal correspondence among civil servants within the Children and Families Directorate, Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate, senior civil servants, ministers and special advisers which includes the name of the charity "ForWomen Scotland" or discusses the organisation's work, since the start of 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-25
Reference
FOI/202100248103
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Correspondence between SQA and Scottish Government regarding appeals process: FOI Release

All communication between the SQA and Scottish Government (ministers, special advisers, learning directorate officials) regarding / referring to the appeals system for 2021 results, the details of which have now been published on the SQA website: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/79049.html The time frame for this request is...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 141 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-24
Reference
FOI/202100208810
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Deputy First Minister communication regarding 2021 exam diet: FOI review

Your request, reference 202100203007 1. Any emails, text messages, OneNote memos, or other correspondence between John Swinney, his ministerial office and/or special advisers and the SQA on the topic of the 2021 exams diet and alternative certification model between November 1, 2020 to the date of this request. 2. Any ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.30 s.12 4 attachments
Published
2021-11-09
Reference
FOI/202100241427 review of 202100203007
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Scottish Information Commissioner appeal Decision Notice 083/2021: FOI release

1. Any and all internal and external correspondence including emails, letters, WhatsApp messages, Signal messages, text messages relating to government business from officials, ministers, and special advisers and any other interested party relating to the consideration of the Scottish Information Commissioner appeal wh...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.25(1) s.26 s.30 s.35(1) s.35(2) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-10-28
Reference
FOI/202100223873
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

COP26 climate change summit policing costs: FOI release

1. The memorandum of understanding between the UK Government and Scottish Government on the cost of policing the COP26 summit and how the costs will be recovered by Police Scotland. 2. Correspondence sent or received between January 2020 and August 2021 by special advisers, ministerial offices, ministers, or officials ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-10-14
Reference
FOI/202100232898
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Law and order, Public sector

Deputy First Minister communication regarding 2021 exam diet: FOI release

1. Any emails, text messages, OneNote memos, or other correspondence between John Swinney, his ministerial office and/or special advisers and the SQA on the topic of the 2021 exams diet and alternative certification model between November 1, 2020 to the date of this request. 2. Any emails, text messages, OneNote memos,...

FOI cost limit 70 score 87 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2021-10-11
Reference
FOI/202100203007
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Information pertaining to the Aviation Working Group: FOI release

1. The date, time, location, attendance list, minutes, notes, agendas, handouts, presentations or memos for any meeting of the aviation working group announced by then Transport minister Michael Matheson in February, 2021. 2. Any correspondence within the Scottish Government between ministers, ministerial offices, spe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.17(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-10-07
Reference
FOI/202100231558
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications regarding Freedom of Information request: FOI release

Any correspondence (emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes or any other documents) regarding an FOI request that sent on the 5th of May 2021 (reference number 202100199466). I would ask for correspondence between the lead official and/or Scottish Government ministers and/or the SG FOI Unit and/or special advis...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-07-26
Reference
FOI/202100217275
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

COVID 19 deaths in care homes: FOI release

You asked for any correspondence between special advisers or officials in the community health and social care directorate and the National Records of Scotland (NRS) on the topic of the publication of Covid-19 deaths in care homes broken down by individual care home between September 29, 2020 to 27 May 2021. You also ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 38 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-07-21
Reference
FOI/202100207401
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Covid-19 briefings relating to restrictions: FOI release

1. Minutes from any formal four nations discussions with Michael Gove and other representatives from UK, Welsh Governments and Northern Ireland executive between October 1 and January 15 on the topic of Covid-19 and four nations alignment on restrictions/measures. 2. Notes taken by Scottish Government staff or minister...

FOI not held 70 score 80 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.3 s.1 s.17(1) s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.3(2) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-15
Reference
FOI/202100164644 review of 202100140372
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Informal requests received from 31 October 2018 onwards: FOI release

FOI202100191813 “Thanks for you work on my behalf. I apologise for my carelessness in this foi. In fact Clegg says that the Record (so not just Clegg) made requests (so not formal foi’s necessarily). Can I ask whether there were any informal requests from 31 October. Maybe you considered this, but if not, can you accep...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.17(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-10
Reference
FOI/202100191813, 202100194412 and 202100195519
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to former Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work: FOI release

Please provide all Scottish Government correspondence (internal or external) related to Derek Mackay MSP for the one-month period from Monday, February 3, 2020 to Tuesday, March 3, 2020. This would include correspondence involving ministers, MSPs and civil servants.

FOI cost limit 70 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-02
Reference
FOI/202100190045
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications between Special Advisors and civil servants relating to independence: FOI release

From 1 March 2021 to present. Copies of all correspondence (emails, attachments, memos, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls and/or otherwise relevant) between Special Adviser and civil servants regarding the draft independence referendum bill that was published 22 March.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-05-27
Reference
FOI/202100186120
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector