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
389 matching releases

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

Covid Public Inquiry Establishment Division: FOI review

Further to my letter of 3 November 2021 acknowledging your request for a review and Robert Spratt’s letter of 29 November 2021 explaining the delay in responding due to volume and complexity of the information covered, I have now completed my review of our response to your request under the Freedom of Information (Scot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 278 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) s.30 s.36 2 attachments
Published
2023-09-15
Reference
202100251822 Review of 202100244389
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications with Operation Branchform Mentions: FOI release

All emails sent or received by Scottish Ministers and/or Special Advisers containing the term “Branchform” or “Branch form”. Please provide the full contents of emails containing either of these terms dating back to 1 September 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.35(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-08-21
Reference
FOI/202300367384
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Deputy First Ministers meetings with Lady Poole: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to the following meetings: John Swinney's meetings with Lady Poole...

FOI already published 80 score 100 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 10 attachments
Published
2023-08-09
Reference
FOI/202300338420
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to Transgender Prisoners: FOI Review

“Can you please provide ALL communications, including emails, between any member of the Scottish Government and any member of the Scottish Prison Service, in relation to any or all transgender prisoners, between 10-Jan-2023 and 02-Feb-2023.”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 59 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.21(4) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.25(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2023-06-05
Reference
FOI/202300353625 Review of 202300341318
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Law and order, Public sector

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

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 and Briefing held by Scottish Government relating to Transgender Prisoners: FOI release

“Please provide me with all correspondence, briefing notes, minutes and other information held by the Scottish Government regarding Isla Bryson, formerly Adam Graham, who has been convicted of two rapes. Please include exchanges with other agencies regarding this person's imprisonment. Specifically, can you provide al...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 68 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.25(1) s.35(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2023-05-04
Reference
FOI/202300340450
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence received by Michael Matheson on Water management: EIR release

Internal and external correspondence received by the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson MSP, regarding ‘water management’ and ‘drought management’ between 1 September 2021 and the present day.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 52 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-03-17
Reference
FOI/202200322006
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Imports, disease and biosecurity in relation to Atlantic salmon and salmon farming: EIR release

Information relating to the subject area of ‘imports, disease and biosecurity’ in relation to Atlantic salmon and salmon farming. The questions posed and information requested covered a number of areas including, import notifications, refusals to allow imports, authorisations associated with Aquaculture Production Busi...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.1 s.20 s.39(2) s.7 s.11(2) s.10(4) s.9 s.10 s.3 s.34(1) s.6(1)
Published
2023-03-14
Reference
FOI/202200279510
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Transport Scotland emails regarding publication date of Audit Scotland report: FOI Review

"This is a request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. It should be treated as a single request and not aggregated with others. On 11 May 2022, the Scottish Government publised a five-page PDF document on its website titled Ferguson Marine - response to submission to Ministers requesting approval of C...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 132 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings contracts s.21(4) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-03-13
Reference
FOI/202200312123 Review of 202200299814
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Chief Transformation Officer and Liberty Steel Dalzell Limited: FOI release

Any minutes, memos, notes, emails, agendas, or attachments and correspondence on the topic of, or originating following the meetings between officials and Jeff Kabel, chief transformation officer and Liberty Steel Dalzell Limited.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 162 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.33(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-02-08
Reference
FOI/202200307641
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

EPS licences: EIR release

Question 1: What peer-reviewed evidence have MS used to determine that cetaceans are evenly distributed? Question 2: Do MS agree that the model can only be used to determine the probability that cetaceans will be disturbed by each ADD at any one moment in time? If MS do not agree, please give your reasons in detail. Gi...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.6(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-01-27
Reference
FOI/202200322854
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Discussions regarding the judicial review: FOI release

All notes, correspondence, actions to be taken from the meetings on November 2 and 13 between the First Minister, the permanent secretary and external legal advisers to discuss the judicial review.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 160 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25(1) s.26 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-01-26
Reference
FOI/202100173910
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Lord Advocate meeting with Deputy First Minister: FOI release

1) Minutes of any meeting between the Deputy First Minister John Swinney and the Lord Advocate on February 23, 2021; 2) Emails, texts and records of phone calls between the Deputy First Minister and the Lord Advocate, with necessary redactions of personal information, on 23 February 2021; and 3) Any follow-up contacts ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 96 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-01-26
Reference
FOI/202100210688
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Civil Service briefings produced on the UNCRC prior to the bill being introduced: FOI release

Copies of any briefings or memos or other analysis on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill, produced by the Civil Service prior to the Bill being introduced to the Scottish Parliament.

FOI already published 80 score 235 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.10(1) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-31
Reference
FOI/202100257620
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Patient Safety Commissioner role: FOI release

Documents and correspondence from 2022 relating to the remit of the new Patient Safety Commissioner role.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.27(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-11
Reference
FOI/202200318168
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) equality practices agreement: FOI release

The EHRC has today announced that the SQA has signed an agreement to improve its equality practices. Under FOISA, please release any material held by the Scottish Government (specifically ministers, the learning directorate, special advisers and media/press office staff) regarding this agreement and the SQA’s signing o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 228 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-30
Reference
FOI/202100244075
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to written question S6W-07719: EIR release

A copy of all correspondence relating to written question S6W-07719. This should include all internal Scottish Government correspondence, as well as any correspondence with other parties such as Marine Scotland or Crown Estate Scotland. For ease of reading, you queried if this could be supplied chronologically, going f...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-25
Reference
FOI/202200312013
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

Gender recognition bill: FOI release

On 22 August 2018, then Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People Shirley-Anne Somerville met with various stakeholders to discuss the gender recognition bill. In a blogpost, Susan Sinclair (of the organisation ‘Scottish Women’) claims that she attended one of these meetings, along with numerous other acto...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-05
Reference
FOI/202200304607
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Independence referendum and prospectus resources: FOI release

Given the rapidly increasing likely resources now being employed on another independent referendum, please supply me with exact details of that resource and the expected total budget, the Scottish Government is providing for the First Minister's referendum and independence planning, communications and public engagement...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1)
Published
2022-08-02
Reference
FOI/202200308344
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

Documentation regarding 2022 National Qualifications: 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 documents (such as advice, analysis, briefings, options documents etc) outlining / analysing / considering etc. the options available for nation...

FOI already published 80 score 240 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100231966
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector