Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

22,922releases indexed
40,952attachments found
29.5avg calendar days
8,507partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-11-04newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,507 unclear 7,460 not held 3,292 released 1,599 already published 716 cost limit 637 clarification 377 withheld 251 transferred 83

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5225 s.20 4485 s.34(1) 3789 s.39(2) 3640 s.30 3038 s.17(1) 2981 s.25(1) 2557 s.10(4) 2089 s.11(2) 1639 s.29(1) 1249 s.2 1245 s.3 980

Timeline

2026-11 48 2026-10 227 2026-09 8 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,336 releases · 27.8 avg days Marine Directorate 991 releases · 29.7 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 972 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 741 releases · 39.6 avg days Constitution Directorate 710 releases · 35.8 avg days Population Health Directorate 678 releases · 28.6 avg days People Directorate 667 releases · 25.5 avg days
Clear
2,704 matching releases

Correspondence regarding meetings with Chinese Embassy: FOI release

- An outline of all government minister meetings with the Chinese Embassy from 2023 until now and all correspondence relating to these meetings.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.32(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-04
Reference
FOI/202400433415
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Education Secretary meeting regarding SQA exam results: FOI release

On SQA exam results day on August 6, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth issued a statement which included this section: “I am also conscious that there is a wide degree of variation in results between our 32 local authorities. To that end, I will be meeting with all local authority Directors of Education, the Chief Exam...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-04
Reference
FOI/202400434218
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Complaints related to SSE operated wind turbines and adverse health impacts from emissions: EIR release

1. Complaints related to SSE operated wind turbines and adverse health impacts from turbine emissions. 2. Complaints related to energy developers other than SSE and adverse health impacts from turbine emissions. 3. The response of the Scottish Government to the above complaints.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.2 s.3 s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-04
Reference
FOI/202400433416
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Site inspection of fish farm at Loch Ness: EIR release

A specific case (site inspection) undertaken by the Scottish Government’s Fish Health Inspectorate relating to the fish farm Loch Ness and case number 2022- 0474. Specifically, your request stipulated: 1) In the first paragraph of the Summary for Information of site Operator: Case Completion Report, dated 01/05/24, it...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4)
Published
2024-11-04
Reference
EIR/202400433900
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Scottish National Investment Bank and Ministerial Advisory Group: FOI release

1. Could you supply all correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internally, notes and minutes from meetings, and briefings written about the Scottish National Investment Bank and its lack of advisory board, from the last three months, including any actions taken to set one up? 2. In a pr...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-04
Reference
FOI/202400433536
Directorate
International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Information regarding Newton Stewart Flood Prevention Scheme: EIR release

“I would like to make a Freedom of Information Request to the Scottish Government linked to the Newton Stewart Flood Prevention Scheme. In November 2023 the Scottish Government while fulfilling its duties under The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 and in particular its duties under paragraph 6 of Schedule 2 o...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-04
Reference
EIR/202400435124
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Climate Change Bill correspondence: EIR release

All minutes/notes from meetings, all correspondence sent and received by the Government, including internally, about the Government's Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill, from the last three months.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(5) 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-04
Reference
EIR/202400434085
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Former Cabinet Secretary for Finance WhatsApp messages from ministerial position during the Covid 19 pandemic: FOI Review

Orginal Request 202400422240 ‘MSP Kate Forbes’ WhatsApp messages from her ministerial role during the COVID-19 pandemic’.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-01
Reference
FOI/202400426539 Review of 202400422240
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Director-General Corporate WhatsApp messages during the Covid 19 pandemic: FOI release

The WhatsApp messages of the current Director General Corporate, Lesley Fraser, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 76 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-01
Reference
FOI/202400427870
Directorate
Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Private Consultants expenditure: FOI release

1. The total expenditure by the Scottish Government on private consultants, broken down by financial year, for each of the last five financial years (from 2018-19 to 2022-23). 2. A breakdown of these consultancy costs by department, including the name of the consultancy firms used, the nature of the work undertaken, an...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence contracts spending s.3 s.12 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-31
Reference
FOI/202400432841
Directorate
Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Delivery of the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: FOI release

Request for information 1: Correspondence between the Scottish Government and Social Security Scotland regarding the decision to delay the delivery of the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. Specifically, the correspondence that explains why the delay will occur and what the implications of the delay are. Also all co...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-28
Reference
FOI/202400431807
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: FOI release

1. A copy of the first internal government response to the consultation feedback. In other words, the first document circulated to the Cabinet and FM on the response from the consultation and the options the Scottish Government had going forward. 2. A copy of Scottish Government internal communications (either in lett...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence spending s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-28
Reference
FOI/202400432918
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Scottish Government correspondence mentioning the Edinburgh Film House: FOI release

All correspondence sent and received by the Scottish Government and/or Angus Robertson, including internally, briefings, minutes/notes from meetings which mentions or is from Edinburgh Film House, between January 1 2024 and April 30 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-28
Reference
FOI/202400432980
Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2021 and 2022 correspondence: EIR release

1. All correspondence from/to Gillian Martin regarding the content of the ministerial statement from the 19th September 2024 - Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2021 and 2022? 2. All correspondence from/to Gillian Martin regarding the discovery of the factual errors regarding emission reductions targets and peatland figures th...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-28
Reference
FOI/202400432944
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change

Correspondence regarding 2026 Commonwealth Games: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and Glasgow City Council regarding the 2026 Commonwealth games. Information should include but not be limited to a detailed time...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers contracts whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-28
Reference
FOI/202400432710
Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

First Minister meeting with the US Consul General: FOI release

Your request was as follows: "First Minister John Swinney met with the US Consul General on 19 June 2024. Can I please have the details of what was discussed in this meeting (notes, etc). Specifically, if Scottish independence was discussed during this meeting."

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.32(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-28
Reference
FOI/202400432858
Directorate
Strategy Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Licensing of seal's on the River Dee: EIR release

All information and full correspondence in the decision making for licensing of seal's on the River Dee for past years, including this year 2024/2025. I wish to have an understanding especially to why a grey seal licence only has been granted for January 2025 to March 2025 and for following 2 years same periods, when ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 8 working days correspondence briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.9 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-24
Reference
EIR/202400434943
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Preparation of the letter that Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands sent to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee: EIR release

All correspondence that relates to the preparation of the letter that Mairi Gougeon sent to the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee on 24 September 2024.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-23
Reference
EIR/202400433564
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, Public sector

Commonwealth Games correspondence with the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport: FOI release

1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the office of the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and the office of the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport regarding the 2026 Commonwealth games. Information s...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.28(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-23
Reference
FOI/202400432545
Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Plans to supply piped potable water to England: EIR release

Information on supplying piped potable water to England.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 4 working days correspondence s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-23
Reference
EIR/202400433037
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Review undertaken by Social Security Scotland to identify saving options: FOI release

Request for information 1: The copy of communication received by Social Security Scotland from the Scottish Government that asked for the identification savings options. (Referred to by the Cabinet Secretary). Request for information 2: A copy of the initial reply to the Scottish Government by Social Security Scotland...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.30 s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-22
Reference
FOI/202400431699
Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

First Minister meeting with Deputy Prime Minister regarding the Winter Fuel Payment: FOI Review

Orginal Request 202400426988 All meeting agendas, notes and information referencing the Winter Fuel Payment from the meeting held between First Minister John Swinney and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner on 15 August 2024 in Edinburgh.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.28(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.28 s.38 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-22
Reference
FOI/202400431924 Review of 202400426988
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

First Minister's visit to the Acorn Project and Peterhead Port: EIR release

Could you supply all minutes/notes from meetings, briefing notes and correspondence held relating to John Swinney's visit to the Acorn Project and Peterhead port on Monday July 22?

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2024-10-21
Reference
EIR/202400429343
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Deputy First Minister correspondence with the National Strategy for Economic Transformation Delivery Board: FOI release

All of Kate Forbes’s (The Deputy First Minister) correspondence with the National Strategy for Economic Transformation Delivery Board since becoming Deputy First Minister in May 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-21
Reference
FOI/202400429509
Directorate
Jobs and Wellbeing Economy Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector