Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,864releases indexed
39,478attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,113partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-06-12newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,113 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4931 s.20 4280 s.34(1) 3589 s.39(2) 3481 s.30 2878 s.17(1) 2774 s.25(1) 2381 s.10(4) 1987 s.11(2) 1571 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1158 s.3 908

Timeline

2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,279 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 967 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 923 releases · 31.0 avg days Learning Directorate 861 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 729 releases · 39.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 633 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
2,878 matching releases

Correspondence with Community Justice Scotland regarding unpaid work hours: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, texts or instant messages, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) between the Scottish Government and Community Justice Scotland regarding the reduction of outstanding unpaid work hours issued as ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-02
Reference
FOI/202000107025
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Money and tax, Public sector

Minutes and material with Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills regarding Higher Qualifications: FOI release

Minutes of any meetings involving the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP, regarding Higher or Advanced Higher National Qualifications in 2020-21. Please could I also have any briefing material issued for these meetings. I would like this information from 20 November 2020 to 4 December 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.27(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-25
Reference
FOI/202000121891
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Information regarding obligations to provide State Pension after independence: FOI release

"Can you provide me with any discussions or analysis conducted by the Scottish Government with respect to whether the Scottish Government or the U.K. Government has a legal obligation to provide state pensions after independence.”

FOI already published 80 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.25(1) s.29 s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-25
Reference
FOI/202000130448
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

COVID-19: cancellation of 2021 Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) exams: FOI release

Shouldn’t the Young People have a say in whether they think Scottish Exams should be cancelled? What was wrong with using community centre facilities such as halls etc to do exams? Or is that too much money out of your budget as a Government, or is it simply that young people do not matter to you? Send me a report of o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-24
Reference
FOI/202000121881
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Discussions held relating to the cancellation of exams 2021: FOI release

1. Can you please advise and assist in the provision of any written correspondence and comms, extant in email, written transcript, minutes of meetings or letters, which mentions the following: Cancellation of National 5 Exams in 2021 (or similar language and synonyms). Postponement of Higher and Advanced Higher Exams ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-24
Reference
FOI/202000098431
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Spending review: FOI release

Any correspondence (emails, letters, text messages, WhatsApp messages, phone calls or otherwise) between Ministers (including the First Minister), Special Advisors and civil servants in the Scottish Government Press Office concerning the UK Government’s Spending Review as announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Ri...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2021-02-24
Reference
FOI/202000129463
Directorate
Public Spending Directorate
Topic
Economy, Money and tax, Public sector

Communications in relation to possible assessors in the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry: FOI release

All communications to the Scottish Government from Aamer Anwar or Aamer Anwar & Co in relation to the appointment of possible Assessors to the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry.

FOI withheld 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000119227
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications regarding Rapid Review of National Qualifications Experience 2020: FOI release

Any minutes of, or briefings prepared for, the meeting held on 15 September 2020 between the Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills, John Swinney MSP, and Mark Priestley, regarding the Rapid Review of National Qualifications Experience 2020. Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000104898
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

COVID-19: Care home guidance: FOI Review

All correspondence between the Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland on the issue of care home guidance during the Covid-19 pandemic. I am seeking this information in relation to the 'Information and guidance of care home settings' document - last updates on June 15th, 2020. This should include all emails,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 96 working days over deadline correspondence s.21(4) s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000090557 Review of 202000048160
Directorate
Digital Health and Care Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the draft bill for an independence referendum: FOI release

Copies of all correspondence (emails, letters, hand-written notes, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls, briefings and/or otherwise) between civil servants, Special Advisors and/or the Cabinet Secretary Mike Russell regarding the publishing of the draft bill for an independence referendum outlined in the Scottish Gove...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000122177
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Programme for Government, Public sector

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) review submissions and correspondence: FOI release

1. A copy of any submissions (evidence, reports, opinions or similar) received to date by the Scottish Government or National Coordinator, sent to them for the purposes of being passed to the OECD, which were returned to the sender without being considered by the OECD (either not referred to the OECD, or referred to th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence briefings s.27(1) s.38(1) s.25 s.30 s.25(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-19
Reference
FOI/202000120876
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Scottish Parliament election contingency plan: FOI release

1. Any reports, documents or email correspondence from between 1 August and present day [13 October] between Scottish Government civil servants on the topic of the Scottish Parliament election in 2021 and contingency plans surrounding it. 2. During the same time period, any briefing reports, draft reports, emails, What...

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.25 s.27 s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-02-18
Reference
FOI/202000097860
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Internal communication relating to British Sign Language Progress Report: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, text messages, typed or hand-written notes, phone calls or otherwise), regarding the British Sign Language Progress Report. I would like this information from 01 June 2020 to 08 October 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.36(1) s.29(1) s.30 10 attachments
Published
2021-02-17
Reference
FOI/202000096790
Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Equality and rights, Public sector

Harassment Committee inquiry legal fees costs: FOI release

"£54,378 was the figure obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the Daily Telegraph. This was used on external assistance with regards to the Alex Salmond enquiry. I would like to know who the money was paid to and in what capacity. I would also like any internal Government correspondence regarding the tra...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-16
Reference
FOI/202100137923
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding foods high in fat, sugar or salt: FOI release

Copies of correspondence between (i) the Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing; (ii) the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport; (iii) officials within the Population Health Directorate and external stakeholders on proposals to restrict the promotion and marketing of foods high in fat, sugar, or salt between ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 75 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30
Published
2021-02-16
Reference
FOI/202000063344
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

James Hamilton QC investigation remit correspondence: FOI release

- All communication between John Swinney and James Hamilton QC in relation to the inquiry into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code. -All communication between the Scottish Government and James Hamilton QC in relation to the inquiry into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-16
Reference
FOI/202100139181
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

James Hamilton QC investigation evidence submitted: FOI release

- All evidence submitted to James Hamilton QC as part of his investigation into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code. - Details of all meetings held by James Hamilton QC as part of his investigation into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the Ministerial Code. Please include minutes, call logs, list of a...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-16
Reference
FOI/202100139187
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

COVID-19 testing for university students: FOI release

Any briefing papers or advice to ministers concerning COVID-19 testing for university students,and any communications between Scottish Government officials regarding these briefings or advice. I would like this information from 15 September 2020 to 30 September 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28 s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-15
Reference
FOI/202000113889
Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the launch of Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB): FOI release

1. Any correspondence (emails, letters, text messages, WhatsApp messages, phone calls or otherwise) between Ministers (including the First Minister), Special Advisors and civil servants in the Scottish Government Press Office concerning the official launch of the Scottish National Investment Bank on 23 November 2020. 2...

FOI transferred 80 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.17(1) s.27(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.39(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-11
Reference
FOI/202000129473
Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Scottish Government Audit and Assurance Committee (SGAAC): FOI release

"The minutes (and associated materials, such as, but not limited to agendas, papers, reports or presentations) for any meetings held between senior Scottish Government staff and nonexecutive directors and deputy directors of the Scottish Government. I am interested in records relating to any meetings that have taken pl...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.33 s.38(1) s.33(1) s.33(2) s.38(1)B s.34(1)
Published
2021-02-11
Reference
FOI/202100134076
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport meeting with Care Home Relatives Scotland (CHRS): FOI release

Details of the meetings the Minister for Older People, Christina McKelvie, has had with each of the following since March 2020: Care home staff Care home residents Care home residents’ family members Care home resident or family member lobbying groups Representatives of Scottish care Please detail the date, length an...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.38 s.30
Published
2021-02-11
Reference
FOI/202000116009
Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Transport Scotland and Network Rail CP6 operations: FOI release

Correspondence between Transport Scotland and Network Rail regarding CP6 operations, maintenance and renewals funding for the dates between December 2019 and July 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence contracts s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-02-10
Reference
FOI/202000089813
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Places of worship COVID-19 guidance: FOI release

Information that was used in the preparation of guidance for the meeting of churches as we moved into phases 2 and 3. Specifically all information concerning the following matters: 1. Data/information concerning the decision of the Scottish Ministers a. that singing could not take place in churches and b. to what exten...

FOI withheld 80 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.4 s.5 s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000094719
Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Internal briefings relating to shortcomings of Scottish Welfare fund: FOI release

You asked us to provide copies of any internal briefings prepared by civil servants regarding any shortcomings of the Scottish Welfare Fund.

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence briefings s.38(1) s.25(1) s.30 8 attachments
Published
2021-02-09
Reference
FOI/202000096433
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Money and tax, Public sector