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
224 matching releases

Renewable Statisic: EIR review

At FMQs on 22nd June 2023, the First Minister made a false statement about Scotland's share of the UK's renewables. Please provide all correspondence sent by the First Minister to the Presiding Officer and other MSPs notifying them of his false statement and proposed correction to the Official Report. Please also provi...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.20 s.39(2) s.29 s.38 s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-13
Reference
FOI/202300376627 Review of 202300367955
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and representatives of Ofgem: EIR review

In your review request you noted that you had: ‘…asked for correspondence with a specific organisation (Ofgem) on a specific topic (ScotWind) over a relatively short period of time… All that is required is a search for correspondence including @ofgem.gov.uk email addresses and the keyword “ScotWind”.’

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2023-09-13
Reference
202300362000 review of 202300356282
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change 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

Former First Minister trip to America and COP27 attendance: FOI release

1. What positive benefits have come from Nicola Sturgeon's trip to the USA in May 2022 and can you show the analysis for the positive benefits of the trip? 2. What contracts and inward investment came to Scotland as a result of this trip to the USA? 3. Out of the 25 officials who attended COP27, what were the roles and...

FOI already published 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.25 s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2023-08-18
Reference
FOI/202300365689
Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, International, Public sector

Independence paper launch event 19 June 2023: FOI release

How many members of the First Minister’s Visits and Events team were present at the latest independence paper launch in Atlantic Quay in Glasgow on 19th June? What are their grades and respective salaries? What was each of their specific roles on the day? How many members of the First Minister’s private secretary team...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1)
Published
2023-08-15
Reference
FOI/202300364236
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture answer to Offshore Wind Resources question: FOI release

Please provide all Scottish Government correspondence (including Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers) and briefing materials, relating to Angus Robertson’s response to Liam Kerr’s urgent question, asked in the Scottish Parliament on 28th February 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-11
Reference
FOI/202300345563
Directorate
Offshore Wind Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, 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

Gordonbush Wind Farm and Gordonbush Hydrogen Demonstrator Project: EIR release

Information on Gordonbush Wind Farm and Gordonbush Hydrogen Demonstrator Project. Please provide details of all meetings held between Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson (NetZero/Energy) and SSE Renewables in which the Gordonbush wind farm has been discussed. Please also include all discussions related to the proposed ...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-05-02
Reference
FOI/202300347852
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

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

Original request - 202200325962 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 ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2023-04-12
Reference
FOI/202300336651 Review of 202200325962
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Meta data request regarding FOI 202200299795: FOI release

The following information under FOISA as it relates to FOI request 202200299795. 1) Any and all correspondence within the Scottish Government, in particular including special advisers, relating to the above request. For clarity, the correspondence should include - but not be limited to - emails, WhatsApp messages and p...

FOI not held 70 score 85 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers meetings whatsapp s.2 s.17 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-03-28
Reference
FOI/202200330635
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Correspondence relating to Ferguson Marine: FOI release

The following information regarding FOI request number 202200299795, sent in June 2022, relating to emails regarding Ferguson Marine. 1) Correspondence relating to the request sent by or to government officials including, but not limited to, civil servants, special advisers and elected officials from the time of the re...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 150 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-03-22
Reference
FOI/202200318503
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

All internal correspondence regarding FOI 202200313781: FOI release

All internal Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Marine Scotland, and Special Advisers) email correspondence discussing the responses to the previous FOI request FOI/202200313781

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-02-17
Reference
FOI/202200330326
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scotland's offshore wind potential: EIR release

1) Internal correspondence within the Scottish Government either as part of the response to press requests for comment about the statistic relating to Scotland having 25% of Europe's offshore wind potential, linked to a These Island's report. This should include official, special adviser, and ministerial comment/sign o...

FOI/EIR not held 70 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2023-02-17
Reference
FOI/202200329615
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

The report, 'Wrong With The Wind' : EIR release

On 9th November 2022, These Islands published a report - Wrong With The Wind - concerning the Scottish Government's frequently cited statistic that Scotland has 25% of Europe's potential offshore wind resource. Please provide: (1). All internal Scottish Government correspondence (including between Ministers, Civil Serv...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2023-02-14
Reference
FOI/202200332823
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with Ian Blackford mentioning 'State Pension': FOI release

All Scottish Government correspondence (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers) with Ian Blackford MP (or his staff) mentioning 'State Pension', from 1 January 2022 to date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-02-13
Reference
FOI/202300340265
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence discussing offshore wind with Stephen Flynn: EIR release

All Scottish Government correspondence (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers) with Stephen Flynn MP (or his staff) mentioning "offshore wind," 1st January 2022 - 10th December 2022.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-02-13
Reference
FOI/202200333878
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Future Offshore Wind Scenarios : EIR release

All internal Scottish Government discussion of the FOWS study (including between Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) from 1st April 2022 – date and all Scottish Government correspondence with external parties discussing the FOWS study, from 1st April 2022 - date.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 36 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2023-01-30
Reference
FOI/202200332791
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change 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 briefings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-01-09
Reference
FOI/202200325962
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Internal correspondence request: FOI release

Copies of all internal Scottish Government email correspondence (including Marine Scotland, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) discussing the responses to these two previous FOI requests: FOI/202100132049 and FOI/202200292407

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-05
Reference
202200313781
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change 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

Nicola Sturgeon St Andrews trip: FOI release

All the correspondence and any other messages - email, letter, WhatsApp, text and any other form of communication - between the Scottish Government, including the First Minister's office (including civil servants and special advisers) and The PGA Tour/European Tour/The Open or any other company or agency involved about...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.33(2) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-15
Reference
FOI/202200311419
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communication regarding the reform of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Education Scotland: FOI release

"All communications between ministers and/or special advisers and/or PR/comms staff” and that the request “related to internal communications regarding the recently published report by Professor Ken Muir into the reform of the SQA and Education Scotland”. You noted that the request “would include attachments to relevan...

FOI clarification 55 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1)
Published
2022-08-10
Reference
FOI/202200300655
Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Briefing document re class contact time reduction: FOI response

For information in relation to a briefing document contained in a previous request (Our ref: 202200275182). With regard to that information, you requested: I would like to request that all information in this briefing document be released to me, along with any other associated materials such as appendices etc I would ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.14(2) s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2022-08-10
Reference
FOI/202200301612
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Information regarding the implementation of Covid-19 passports: FOI Review

a) ‘Any scientific, medical, immunological or epidemiological evidence provided to Scottish Ministers that underpins or supports their decision to require vaccine passports for events consisting of more than 10,000 people at open air events such as football matches;’ b) ‘Advice/recommendations on how such a scheme woul...

FOI already published 80 score 76 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.12 s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100255294 Review of 202100240234
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector