Scottish Government FOI Index

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

180 matching releases

Communications regarding T N Trawlers fishing firm: EIR release

(i) Any communications from government ministers and special advisors regarding the fishing firm TN Trawlers since 17 August 2024 (this should include, but not be limited to, emails, written documents, whatsapp messages and notes) (ii) Any government communications regarding grant awards to TN Trawlers from the calend...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) s.11(1) s.11(2) s.10(5) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-11-18
Reference: FOI/202400435488
Directorate: Marine Directorate
Topic: Marine and fisheries, 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

Ken Thomson's WhatsApp messages during the Covid 19 pandemic: FOI release

Ken Thomson's What's App messages during the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI already published 80 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.37(1) s.38(1) s.25 s.25(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-11-01
Reference: FOI/202400425744
Directorate: Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, 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

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

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

Communications between the Scottish Government and UK monarchy: FOI release

Please share any communications exchanged between the government and the UK monarchy or their representatives from 21 February 2023 to the present date, which relate to: Laws and Legislation The Crown Estate Property or assets owned by the monarchy Crown consent Carbon emissions Deer Please include all communication ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.41 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-16
Reference: FOI/202400431736
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Former Minister for Public Health and Sport's WhatsApp messages during the Covid 19 pandemic: FOI Review

Original request 202400427867 MSP Mairi Gougeon's What's App messages from her Ministerial position during the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-15
Reference: FOI/202400432336 Review of 202400427867
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Higher history pass rate communications: FOI release

Any communications (including but not limited to emails; WhatsApp messages; and letters) sent to the Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth concerning the Higher history pass rate this year. Please also include any responses made by Ms Gilruth to these communications and any messages she herself has sent on this topic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-09
Reference: FOI/202400429066
Directorate: Education Reform Directorate
Topic: Education, Public sector

WhatsApp/Text Messages related to Appeal 202100255908: FOI release

Regarding this FOI Appeal https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202100255908/ Please release all the information not released or disclosed or that had a redaction applied in the above FOI request as it is now credible that exemptions applied may have being misapplied or misused, in order to not release some or all of ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.26 s.30 s.28(1) s.29(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-10-04
Reference: FOI/202400426366
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Puberty Blocker Correspondence: FOI release

Under FOI I would please like to request 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 of the scottish Government and their special advisors mentioning the term 'pube...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-18
Reference: FOI/202400410045
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Health and social care, Public sector

Emails sent and received by the Former First Minister: FOI Review

Original request - 202400411476 1. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf sent as First Minister from his First Minister email account. 2. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf received as First Minister from his First Minister email account. 3. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf sent as First Minister to em...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 283 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-18
Reference: FOI/202400416176 Review of 202400411476
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence from Minister for Public Finance regarding Winter Fuel Payment: FOI release

Emails, texts, WhatsApp’s, minutes of meetings or other communications received or sent by the finance minister Ivan McKee which mention the Winter Fuel Payment from the 4 July 2024 to the present date.

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-18
Reference: FOI/202400425387
Directorate: Social Security Directorate
Topic: Energy, Public sector

Former First Minister's speech to the SNP conference: FOI release

All correspondence between the Permanent Secretary and/or his office and the First Minister and/or his private office or Special Advisers relating to the First Minister's speech to the SNP conference on 17/10/23. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include all emails or other electronic communications of any other ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-17
Reference: FOI/202400396121
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Number of times Former First Minister has taken his children on official visits: FOI release

Since becoming First Minister, how many times has Humza Yousaf taken his children on official visits, press events etc. Please provide all documents, emails, briefings, text messages, whatsapps relating to the First Minister bringing his children to work events, visits etc and their provision of care.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-17
Reference: FOI/202400396167
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Resignation of Mr Matheson as Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care: FOI release

The exact time and format in which Michael Matheson first informed Humza Yousaf of his resignation as Health Secretary and please provide the documentary evidence of this (the original email/WhatsApp/text) as well as Humza Yousaf's response). All discussions from the Scottish Government planning press lines or media r...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-17
Reference: FOI/202400398386
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the decision to reduce Single Species Threshold: EIR release

Please can you provide all correspondence between Scottish Forestry officials and officials from the Forestry Commission relating to the decision in the new five-year forestry standard to reduce the maximum percentage for a single species in a new forest from 75 to 65 per cent. I am particularly interested to see disc...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-17
Reference: EIR/202400408157
Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Communications regarding Long Covid: FOI release

1. Any record of communication (WhatsApps, emails, etc) sent and received by Jenni Minto (Minister for Public Health) on the topic of long covid between 29 March 2023 and the current date. 2. How many complaints has Ms Minto received from long COVID sufferers during this time frame?

FOI already published 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-09
Reference: FOI/202400418983
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Borders Railway Extension and the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) findings: EIR release

Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) within Transport Scotland and the Cabinet Secretary for Transport relating to Borders Railway Extension and the findings from STPR2 relating to the proposed feasibility study. It was subsequently cla...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-04
Reference: EIR/202400412367
Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Transport

Cass Review and Patrick Harvie's appearance on BBC Scotland's Sunday Show: FOI release

All information held by the Scottish Government on the Cass review. Can you release briefings, papers, notes on the review? Can you also release any correspondence involving ministers and officials relating to the review? More widely, can you release any correspondence involving ministers and officials relating to Pat...

FOI cost limit 70 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending whatsapp s.12 s.29(1) s.30(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-09-04
Reference: FOI/202400411612
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Culture in an Independent Scotland white paper correspondence: FOI release

Can you please disclose emails, and WhatsApps, sent between Scottish Government ministers and Scottish Government officials regarding the independence white paper entitled, 'Culture in an independent Scotland' sent/received on the following dates - February 2, 2024 February 3, 2024 February 4, 2024 February 5, 2024 Fe...

FOI cost limit 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400406120
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Meeting of Former First Minister and Chinese Consul General in Scotland: FOI release

Minutes of the meeting on 16 January between the First Minister and Zhang Biao, Chinese Consul General in Scotland. All internal and external correspondence relating to this meeting. This should include email, WhatsApp or any other form of electroniccommunication as well as any handwritten notes or notes taken from ve...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.32(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400409335
Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Policy on WhatsApp and other mobile messaging apps: FOI release

Part 1] Could you please send me all internal communications - including, but not limited to, emails, messages, minutes from meetings, communications between officials and between Ministers and officials - relating to the Scottish Government's policy on WhatsApp and other mobile messaging apps such as Telegram and Sign...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending whatsapp s.12 s.38 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-29
Reference: FOI/202400395064
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Usage and policy guidance for mobile messaging apps: FOI release

All information, risk analysis and minutes of related meetings that explain how the policy available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/mobile-messaging-apps-usage-and-policy-guidance/ (dated 31 October 2023) was arrived at. In particular, what was the justification for permitting government officials to conduct go...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-29
Reference: FOI/202400396640
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish National Investment Bank and Scottish Enterprise correspondence: FOI release

Full correspondence between Kate Forbes during her tenure as Finance Minister and the Scottish National Investment Bank. This would entail - 1. All correspondence (emails, letters, texts, WhatsApp messages etc) between Kate Forbes and the Scottish National Investment Bank, between 1st November 2020 and 28 March 2023. ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38 s.34(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300385487
Directorate: International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector