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
211 matching releases

Communication around housing Ukrainian refugees on MS Victoria: FOI release

All documents, meeting minutes and details of communication by the Scottish Government, ministers and special advisors about housing Ukrainian refugees on a ship in Edinburgh. Please provide any details about the communication, including but not limited to emails, letters, text/whatsapp messages, and minutes of meetin...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.36(2) s.30 s.33(1) s.29(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-12
Reference
202200332251
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Resource Spending, Capital Spending and Medium-Term Financial Strategy : FOI release

1. 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 Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service regarding the Scottish Government’s Resource Spendin...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.25 s.27(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200303701
Directorate
Public Spending 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

WhatsApp retention policy: FOI release

1. All government correspondence sent to civil servants and other related staff regarding the retention of WhatsApp messages. To be more specific, correspondence can include any internal emails or messages or other forms of communication that were put out to civil servants, Ministers and other related staff to explain ...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.30 s.37(1) s.21 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
FOI/202300382735
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Spending Review correspondence: 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 Police Scotland regarding the Scottish Government’s Resource Spending Review. Please limit the dates o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-05
Reference
202200303669
Directorate
Safer Communities 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

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

10-year economic strategy communications: FOI release

All communications (emails, letters, texts, WhatsApp messages, phone calls, online meetings, in-person meetings) which took place in January, February or March 2022 between the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy, the Minister for Public Finance, Planning, and Community Wealth, First Minister, Officials working t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38 s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
202200308856
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Provision for or appointment of speechwriters for the First Minister: FOI release

All correspondence about the provision or appointment of speechwriters for the First Minister which has taken place between the Permanent Secretary and the following: Liz Lloyd, political adviser to the First Minister Julie Grant, head of news at the Scottish Government Dominic Munro, director of strategy at the Scott...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-22
Reference
202200333883
Directorate
Strategy Directorate
Topic
Public sector

SQA exam results for 2021: FOI release

Any correspondence including but not limited to emails, letters, texts, WhatsApp messages or internal messaging apps such as Gchat and details of meetings including agendas, minutes, notes, handouts, attendance lists, location, and purpose, on the topic of the SQA exam results for 2021 to and from the Scottish Governme...

FOI already published 80 score 471 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-17
Reference
202100230956
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Mermaids charity: 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) regarding the Mermaids Charity from 25 September 2022 onwards.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-16
Reference
202200329739
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Minutes of meetings Humza Yousaf and Sir Peter Mathieson: FOI Release

1. Minutes from the meeting Humza Yousaf held with Sir Peter Mathieson, Edinburgh University principal in May. 2. All correspondence about or from Martin Compston received or sent by the Scottish Government between May 2022 and the date of this FOI. 3. All correspondence about or from Mick Lynch received or sent by the...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) s.12 s.17(1) 6 attachments
Published
2023-10-25
Reference
FOI/202300367990
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Income tax budget: FOI release

Has the Scottish Government done any modelling on behavioural change as a result of the income tax rises voted through at Holyrood? If so can it be supplied and if not, an explanation why not? What were the options discussed by ministers for changing the income tax for the 2023 budgets? All correspondence (including em...

FOI not held 70 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-24
Reference
202300342976
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Lorna Slater Rum trip: FOI release

Could you please provide: The total cost to charter the boat to and from the island. All correspondence and communication between Ms Slater (including her government officials) relating to the organisation of the trip. Please include information from emails, whatsapp and text messages, minutes of phone calls and meet...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.38 s.33(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) 10 attachments
Published
2023-10-24
Reference
202300357069
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Resource Spending Review: FOI release

all communications (emails, letters, texts, WhatsApp messages, phone calls, online meetings, in person meetings) between March 27th, 2023 and the present between Ministers(including the First Minister where applicable) officials working for Ministers and Special Advisors about the Resource Spending Review all communica...

FOI already published 80 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending whatsapp s.25(1) s.25 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-16
Reference
202300362826
Directorate
Exchequer Strategy Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Possession of a firearm in prison: FOI release

All reports, statistics, correspondence, emails, texts and Whatsapp messages regarding the single incidence of ‘possession of a firearm in prison’ in the Recorded Crime in Scotland statistics 2022-23. Should it be the case that no firearm was discovered in a prison, you requested correspondence explaining how this offe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-10
Reference
202300363577
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector

The role of Director General (DG) Strategy and External Affairs: FOI release

Your request was for: All emails, Whatsapp messages, Teams messages, notes pertaining to the redeployment of Joe Griffin to the role of DG Strategy and External Affairs Policies, guidance or otherwise in place pertaining to the redeployment, transfer, lateral move of an SCS individual in the Scottish Government to ano...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-09-19
Reference
FOI/202300365506
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

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

Ministers communications: FOI release

You asked for the following information:- For all communications (emails, letters, texts, WhatsApp messages, phone calls, online meetings, in person meetings) between the Minister for Transport, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy & Transport, First Minister, Officials working to aforementioned Ministers, Special A...

FOI clarification 80 score 76 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings contracts whatsapp s.17 s.30 s.33(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-09-12
Reference
202100265976
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

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

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

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) communications regarding national qualifications in 2021: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, text or Whatsapp messages, phone calls or otherwise) concerning SQA national qualifications in 2021. I would like this information between 17 May 2021 and 29 May 2021. Any communications (including emails, text or Whatsapp messages, phone calls or othe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 337 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-04
Reference
FOI/202100209749
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and Scottish Prison Services relating to Transgender Prisoners: FOI release

All correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service in January 2023 relating to transgender prisoners. This could include but not limited to emails, briefing notes, text messages, WhatsApp messages and meeting minutes.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 67 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-04
Reference
FOI/202300340666
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

Correspondence regarding Council bin strikes during August 2022: 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 ministers and special advisors regarding the Council bin strikes during August 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-04-17
Reference
FOI/202200317862
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector