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
1,991 matching releases

Screening of Adult Human Female film at University of Edinburgh: FOI release

Any information in the form of emails, briefing notes, situation reports, confirmation of verbal updates between civil servants, special advisers or any other Scottish Government employees and the First Minister about the film Adult Human Female and the filming of it that was cancelled at Edinburgh University.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200334823
Directorate
Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Angus Robertson meeting with Icelandic minister for foreign affairs (October 2022): FOI release

Information held in relation to the briefings prepared for Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson and the notes made for his meeting with the Icelandic Foreign Minister on 13 October 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.32(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-13
Reference
202300339811
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

SQA equalities judgement: FOI release

Any correspondence relating to the SQA equalities judgement.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 428 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.25 s.30 s.30C s.23 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-13
Reference
202100246964
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Current ten day COVID isolation guidance: FOI release

All discussions between the Scottish First Minister and health advisors (SMO, NCA, SAGE, UK Government) regarding the advice pertaining to reaching the current ten day covid isolation guidance. Copies of minutes / records of decisions that state where the First Minister has decided to retain the ten day covid isolation...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 90 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-13
Reference
202100268614
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

S6O-01493 briefing notes, top line and background information provided to Minister for Environment and Land Reform: EIR release

A copy of any briefing notes, top lines and background information provided to the Minister for the Environment and Land Reform in order to answer S6O-01493 asked by Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP in the Chamber on 3rd November 2022 as well as the supplementary questions asked by Liam Kerr MSP, Mark Ruskell MSP and Jim Fairlie...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200328762
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister Christmas cards: FOI release

Please provide me with a list of recipients for the First Minister's Christmas card.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200332512
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Minister for Trade and Tom Hunter Foundation: FOI release

All correspondence between Ivan McKee, Minister for Trade, Innovation and his civil servants, and Tom Hunter of the Hunter Foundation. I am looking for copies of all letters, emails, minutes of meetings, presentations, reports, and messages via Whatsapp, Signal or similar from April 2019 until May 2021.

FOI not held 70 score 332 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202100210817
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Exchange between SQA Chief Executive and Scottish Government: FOI release

I understand that on 14 May 2021 the Chief Executive of the SQA wrote to the Scottish Government regarding the proposals for the appeals system that would be put in place for 2021 N5, Higher and Advanced Higher results. This letter included discussion of a 'no detriment' approach and sought advice from the government. ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 444 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202100243443
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications concerning the £400 teacher bonus payment: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications concerning the £400 teacher bonus payment. I would like this information from 15 September 2021 to 25 October 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 364 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202100251825
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Letter referenced by John Swinney in Stage 3 debate on UNCRC Bill: FOI release

Internal or external correspondence between 04/03/2021 and 04/06/2021 on the topic of the letter referenced by John Swinney MSP in the Official Report from the Stage 3 debate on the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 81 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202200280656
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scotland’s share of Europe’s potential offshore wind resource: EIR release

All internal Scottish Government discussion (including between Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) relating to the question of Scotland’s share of Europe’s potential offshore wind resource, restricting the search to dates between 6th May 2021 and 20th October 2022. You also indicated how to narrow down you...

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202200325962
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Meetings discussing Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

You asked for “Any minutes from meetings involving Scottish Government ministers (Patrick Harvie MSP and Lorna Slater MSP) that discuss the Deposit Return Scheme, due to come into effect on August 2023, between August 2022 to December 2022”.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(5)
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300337696
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cabinet Secretary's visit to Berlin in December 2022: FOI release

All briefing documents prepared in advance of Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson’s visit to Berlin in December 2022, and all notes of meetings during the visit.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.28(1) s.30 s.32(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300353788
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Minister for Housing and Glasgow City Council: FOI release

You asked for all correspondence* between the Paul McLennan and his civil services, and representatives and councillors from Glasgow City Council between March 2023 when the minister took up his post and the present date (25 July 23). I am specifically looking for all correspondence between the minister and his departm...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 12 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300368557
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Legal advice and correspondence relating to operation branchform: FOI release

1. The cost of any legal advice - either from the Scottish Government's legal directorate or from external advisers/counsel - in regards to Operation Branchform. 2. Any internal correspondence among senior civil servants, special advisers, and ministers (including any attachments or referenced briefings) on the topic o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.35(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300368382
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FM meetings: FOI Review

You requested a review stating the following: “I am writing to you to request an internal review of this decision. I do not believe the exemptions apply to all the information, particularly the briefing documents, and have been applied far too liberally. In any case, the public interest is in favour of disclosure.”

FOI already published 80 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.41 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-01
Reference
FOI/202300362913 review of 202300338437
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

ERDM folder dedicated to FOI 202100233415: FOI Release

You asked for “1) The contents of the one ERDM folder dedicated to FOI 202100233415 which includes 53 items detailed in the response to FOI 202300363650.”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.47(1) s.49(3) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-30
Reference
FOI/202300368165
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Emails regarding the removal of peak fares on ScotRail trains: FOI release

Any emails between civil servants from Transport Scotland and Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for net zero energy and transport, since January 1st 2023 that discuss the removal of peak fares on ScotRail trains.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 51 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-25
Reference
202300338943
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Public monies spent on promoting Scottish Independence: FOI release

Please could I request the following answer to two questions under the freedom of information legislation. For each of the following years 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020 up to the present: Details of the total costs for advertising (radio, TV, flyers, emails, texts), including the cost of stationer...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 536 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.5 s.7 s.51
Published
2023-10-25
Reference
202000130464
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal: FOI release

All recorded information, from 8 December 2021 until the date of this request, held which sets out the current position in respect of the project to incorporate the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal into the Scottish Tribunals following the power to do so being granted in the Scotland Act 2016, to incl...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2023-10-25
Reference
202300351972
Directorate
Justice 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

Number of complaints made against Scottish Ministers: FOI release

1) Number of complaints within a complaints policy made about Scottish Government ministers in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 thus far. 2) If any, can you please down break these complaints by (i) who the complaint was made against, (ii) the reason for the complaint, (iii) the date the complaint was lodged, and (iv) who l...

FOI withheld 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.35(1) s.38(1) s.36(2) s.35(2) s.34(1)
Published
2023-10-25
Reference
202200327187
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FOI Lists of ministers' interests and actions taken to avoid conflicts 2011 to 2016 parliament: FOI release

Please supply the following in respect of the 4th session of the Scottish Parliament, which ran from 2011 to 2016. all the information in all the lists of interests (including spouse, partner and family interests) provided by each minister serving in the Scottish Government upon their appointment, including the inform...

FOI cost limit 70 score 47 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.11 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-24
Reference
202300346538
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding rail services in Fife: FOI release

For the period 1 April 2022 to 28 March 2023, please could you provide information / documents (…) in relation to the provision of passenger rail services to and from Fife: 1. A copy of the Performance Recovery Plan prepared by ScotRail and recently submitted to Transport Scotland and Scottish Rail Holdings. 2. Copie...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.17(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-24
Reference
202300349306
Directorate
Topic
Public sector