Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,099releases indexed
37,554attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
7,804partially withheld
2017-11-17oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 7,804 unclear 6,977 not held 2,955 released 1,470 already published 656 cost limit 586 clarification 342 withheld 235 transferred 74

Top Exemptions

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

Clear
379 matching releases

Former First Minister and the City of London Corporation’s Special Representative to the EU meeting information: FOI release

Information relating to a meeting on 27 April 2017 between the then First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and Jeremy Browne: 1. Confirmation of whether such a meeting took place, including the location, time, duration, and list of attendees (including any Scottish Government officials or special advisers present). 2. Any ...

FOI not held 70 score 12 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.3 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-03-02
Reference
FOI/202600500054
Directorate
International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, International, Money and tax, +1 more … Public sector

Chief Social Work Adviser correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence in the last 3 months to date between the Chief Social Work Adviser and each of the following: (1) Professor Alexis Jay (2) Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (3) The Justice Secretary's private secretary and wider private office. (4) Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills (5) The Edu...

FOI cost limit 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.38(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-03-02
Reference
FOI/202500498571
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Ministerial obligations, conflict-of-interest advice and decision-making in relation to the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry: FOI release

1 — Ministerial Code Compliance and Conflict-of-Interest Assessment All documents, communications, emails, internal notes, records of meetings, briefings, drafts, or advice: concerning any potential, declared, undeclared, perceived or actual conflict of interest arising from Mr Anwar’s relationship with Mr Yousaf, an...

FOI not held 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.5 s.38(1) s.17 s.40(4) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-24
Reference
FOI/202500496961
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Details of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs trip to Brussels: FOI release

1. The full ministerial diary entry / itinerary for Angela Constance MSP (Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs) for 19–21 November 2025 inclusive 2. All briefing packs, background notes, speaking notes, lines-to-take, or any other preparatory material provided to the Cabinet Secretary or her private office i...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.6 s.17(1) s.27(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-23
Reference
FOI/202500495024
Directorate
EU Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Non-Domestic Rates (Liability for Unoccupied Properties) (Scotland) Bill correspondence: FOI release

1. The correspondence that first informed the Scottish Government about the drafting error with the Non-Domestic Rates (Scotland) Act 2020 which pointed out that the amendments made by the 2020 Act to devolve Empty Property Relief had not had the intended legal effect. 2. All correspondence between relevant Scottish G...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.29(1) s.33(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-23
Reference
FOI/202500495336
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Money and tax, Public sector

Senior Constitution Special Adviser communications: FOI release

All recorded communications sent to or from Senior Constitution Special Adviser Ewan Crawford during the period 24 November 2025 to 30 November 2025 inclusive. This includes emails, letters, briefing material, and messages held on Scottish Government systems.

FOI already published 80 score 15 working days correspondence special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.25 s.27(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-23
Reference
FOI/202500496219
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Special Adviser to the First Minister communications: FOI release

All recorded communications sent to or from Senior Special Adviser David Hutchison during the period 24 November 2025 to 30 November 2025 inclusive. This includes emails, letters, briefing material, and messages held on Scottish Government systems.

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.28(1) s.28 s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-23
Reference
FOI/202500496223
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence which mentions former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party: FOI release

Firstly, a copy of all WhatsApp messages sent by the First Minister today (19th January) And then: A copy of all WhatsApp messages sent to First Minister today (19th January). A copy of any email sent from the first minister’s inbox that contains name Peter Murrell (in January 2026) A copy of any email sent from Fi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers contracts whatsapp s.17 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202600502246
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence and documentation regarding waiting list statistic: FOI release

Any correspondence from the Health Directorate and Ministers, Ministerial offices, or Special Advisers with Public Health Scotland on the topic of the claimed statistic that one in six Scots are on waiting lists and any subsequent correspondence or ministerial submissions, agendas, meeting minutes or handouts on the to...

FOI not held 70 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-17
Reference
FOI/202500495492
Directorate
Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Formal complaints made about the behaviour of Special Advisers: FOI Review

Original request: 202500489885 1. The total number of formal complaints made about the behaviour of Special Advisers, broken down by year 2. For each complaint: The nature/category of the complaint (e.g. bullying, harassment, unprofessional behaviour, etc.). The outcome of the complaint (e.g. upheld, partially uphel...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500489885 review of 202500485300
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence regarding Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs & Culture meeting with former chair of Historic Environment Scotland (HES): FOI release

You asked for “Did Kenneth Hogg pass on this invitation to Angus Robertson? If so, on what date was it passed on? And how was it passed on? Please also provide all correspondence, by email or direct messaging application, in which the above referenced email was forwarded, quoted, or responded to, by Scottish Governmen...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(2) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-10
Reference
FOI/202500492731
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Correspondence in relation to the First Ministers statement regarding taxpayers in Scotland: FOI release

1. All correspondence between Scottish Government officials and/or Scottish Ministers/Special Advisers relating to the claim that over half of taxpayers in Scotland pay less tax in Scotland than if they lived elsewhere in the United Kingdom since 1 October 2025. This should include emails, letters, instant messages, br...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-10
Reference
FOI/202500488622
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Communications regarding members of the Scottish Parliament: FOI Review

Original request 202500486016 1) Any communications - including texts, WhatsApps, emails, Teams messages, or any other sort of written communications - from Wednesday September 17 to Wednesday September 24 on the topic of Jamie Hepburn. 2) Any communications - including texts, WhatsApps, emails, Teams messages, or an...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-09
Reference
FOI/202500491541 Review of 202500486016
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications sent and received from Senior Constitution Special Adviser: FOI release

All communications that Senior Constitution Special Adviser Ewan Crawford sent and received the week of Monday the 20 October.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers s.27(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-09
Reference
FOI/202500491195
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

NHS Fife statement on the recommencement of the employment tribunal information: FOI Review

Original request 202500486035 1. Correspondence with NHS Fife – All correspondence (emails, letters, Teams/Slack chats, WhatsApp, Signal, SMS, call notes, and any attachments/drafts) exchanged between: • Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray, his Private Office, and/or Health & Social Care Communicati...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.4 s.5 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.2(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-09
Reference
FOI/202500491069 Review of 202500486035
Directorate
Health Workforce Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Senior Special Adviser communications: FOI release

You asked for all communications that Senior Special Advisor Emily Mackintosh sent and received the week of Monday 20 October.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.27 s.27(1) s.28 s.29(1) s.30 s.32 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-04
Reference
FOI/202500491194
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group information: FOI release

Information regarding the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group. 1. The dates and minutes of all meetings of the Group held since 1 January 2023. 2. A list of any sub-groups or working groups established by the Group, with their purpose and membership where available. 3. Copies of any action p...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-03
Reference
FOI/202500491045
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Material regarding mistaken releases: FOI release

1. Copies of any briefings to Ministers, Special Advisers or Directors since 1 April 2020 that mention “release in error”, “erroneous release”, or “mistaken release” in the Scottish Prison Service. 2. Any correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service about the scale, causes, or prevent...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.3 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-03
Reference
FOI/202500491040
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Documentation which mentions former First Minister Chief of Staff and former Special Adviser: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government that mentions Liz Lloyd, or is from/to her, including correspondence (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, or briefings, from the last three months? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government that mentions Kev...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-02
Reference
FOI/202500456581
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial Code Advisers and Senior Civil Servants correspondence: FOI release

1. All the correspondence between Scottish Ministers/special advisers/senior civil servants and any of the ministerial code advisers since 3 January 2025. This should include emails, instant messages, letters, meetings (and minutes of those meetings) and phone calls. 2. How many Scottish Government employees are secon...

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.25(1)I s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-29
Reference
FOI/202500490297
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Response statement regarding First Minister's tax claim: FOI release

All internal Scottish Government discussion (involving Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, or Press Officers), by email or direct messaging applications, on the response statement from the Scottish Government included in the Daily Mail story titled ‘Swinney attacked over claim most Scots pay less tax than rest...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-28
Reference
FOI/202500489716
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Diary events for Minister for Parliamentary Business on 18th September 2025: FOI release

The reasons for Jamie Hepburn MSP’s non-attendance at First Minister’s Questions on 18 September 2025. Please provide details of any meetings, events, or other commitments scheduled during that period. Whether Jamie Hepburn MSP was present in the Scottish Parliament at any point on 18 September 2025, and whether he was...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-21
Reference
FOI/202500485183
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Minutes of the meeting between Minister for Public Finance and GFG Alliance: FOI release

I would be grateful if you could comply with the following request in relation to the ministerial statement on 11th September 2025, made by the Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee MSP to Parliament about the status of GFG Alliance businesses in Scotland, mainly those based in Lochaber and Dalzell. During that stat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-21
Reference
FOI/202500485956
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Meetings held between Scottish Government ministers and the Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP): FOI release

1. All correspondence between Scottish Government Ministers and their special advisers and Keith Brown MSP. This should include all email correspondence with and from his MSP email, SNP email and any other email accounts used by Keith Brown since 6 May 2025. 2. All meetings (including virtual) Keith Brown MSP has atte...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500487575
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence on whether a correction to the Official Report was necessary regarding remarks on Professor Alexis Jay: FOI release

You asked "for the period 16th September 2025 - date, please provide all internal and external correspondence (including by direct messaging application) and notes of phone calls or meetings (in person or virtual) which discuss the question of whether a correction to the Official Report was necessary with respect to re...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500498692
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector