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
2,981 matching releases

Correspondence received by First Minister between June 2020 and November 2020: FOI release

Copies of correspondence received by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP regarding the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019 between 01 June 2020 and 11 November 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202000110162
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Equality and rights, Law and order, +1 more … Public sector

Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill correspondence: FOI release

Giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee on the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill on 27 October 2020, Cabinet Secretary for Justice Humza Yousaf MSP said that he had met with "women's groups working at the coalface" to discuss adding 'sex' as a protected characteristic to the draft legis...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) 8 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202000103652
Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Equality and rights, Law and order, +1 more … Public sector

Received correspondence to Minister for Children and Young People: FOI release

Copies of correspondence received by Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd MSP regarding the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019 between 01 August 2019 and 25 December 2019.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202000110153
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Law and order, Public sector

Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019 correspondence: FOI release

Copies of correspondence received by Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd MSP regarding the Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019 between 01 June 2020 and 11 November 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 10 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202000110175
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Equality and rights, Law and order, +1 more … Public sector

Correspondence with Minister for Justice containing the word Trump 2021: FOI release

A copy of all correspondence sent and received by Humza Yousaf between January 1, 2021 and January 12, 2021 containing the following keyword: "Trump".

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202100135747
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Deputy First Minister's appearance on Politics Scotland: FOI release

From 1 January 2020 to present: Copies of all correspondence (emails, texts, whatsapp messages, memos, briefings and/or otherwise) from and/or to Special Advisors regarding John Swinney’s appearance on Politics Scotland on Sunday 10 January 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-11
Reference
FOI/202100136050
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding enhanced restrictions for places of worship: FOI release

“I would like to make an foi request with regards to the latest restrictions in place on places of worship. Can you provide details of any meeting minutes, or other recorded information, that pertains to any discussion or consideration made to ensure the regulations and guidance on places of worship comply with the Eu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.20 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-08
Reference
FOI/202100132535
Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Equality and rights, +1 more … Public sector

Internal emails on specific dates: FOI release

1. All emails sent by Liz Lloyd, Chief of Staff to the First Minister, on 28 and 29 January 2021. 2. All emails sent by any diary secretary or assistant who works for Liz Lloyd, on 28 and 29 January 2021. 3. All emails sent by Leslie Evans, Permanent Secretary of the Scottish Government, to Liz Lloyd on 28 and 29 Janua...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-03-08
Reference
FOI/202100148280
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Engineering companies’ meetings Ministerial briefing documents: FOI release

Concerning two meetings attended held by ministers, the first being a phone call meeting attended by Fiona Hyslop on 26/03/20 with Doosan Babcock, Castle Engineering and Scottish Engineering amongst others. The second is a meeting between Ivan McKee and John McCarrol of JFD on 03/04/20. I would like to request the bri...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/202100133437
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Energy, Public sector

Communications concerning Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill and changes to Freedom of Information rules: FOI release

All communication between ministers, officials and press officers regarding the proposed changes to Freedom of Information rules.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 238 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/202000025358
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Extending response times to freedom of information requests: FOI review

Supply all correspondence/emails (including attachments) - to or from government ministers, special advisers or senior civil servants - dated on or prior to 2 April 2020 relating to the proposal to extend response times to freedom of information requests set out in Schedule 6 Part 2 of the [Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill....

FOI partially withheld 90 score 153 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.21(4) s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-03-04
Reference
FOI/202000068453
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Understanding teacher estimates for grading pupils receiving qualifications in 2020: FOI release

In relation to teacher estimates to grade pupils receiving qualifications in 2020, you asked: what work has been done/activities been undertaken to better understand why teacher estimates were so much higher than historic attainment please provide me with any written information exploring this issue – including, but n...

FOI already published 80 score 55 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-02
Reference
FOI/202000117808
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence with Community Justice Scotland regarding unpaid work hours: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, texts or instant messages, minutes of meetings, briefings or otherwise) between the Scottish Government and Community Justice Scotland regarding the reduction of outstanding unpaid work hours issued as ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-02
Reference
FOI/202000107025
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Money and tax, Public sector

Pathfinder and Housing First briefings: FOI release

You asked for Copies of any civil servant briefings prepared on the Housing First programme, you also provided clarification on 18 November that you are looking for briefing regards to the pathfinder programme as well as any briefing referencing the roll-out of Housing First across all of Scotland and/or background on ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 6 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-25
Reference
FOI/202000107278
Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Housing, Public sector

James Hamilton QC correspondence: FOI release

1. Any Scottish Government Cabinet Meetings where James Hamilton QC’s Ministerial Code investigation was discussed. If it was discussed, please provide any minutes or notes on these discussions. Please limit time period to 1 January 2019 and the present date. 2. Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 9 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-02-25
Reference
FOI/202100150391
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

COVID-19: cancellation of 2021 Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) exams: FOI release

Shouldn’t the Young People have a say in whether they think Scottish Exams should be cancelled? What was wrong with using community centre facilities such as halls etc to do exams? Or is that too much money out of your budget as a Government, or is it simply that young people do not matter to you? Send me a report of o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-24
Reference
FOI/202000121881
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Education, Public sector

Discussions held relating to the cancellation of exams 2021: FOI release

1. Can you please advise and assist in the provision of any written correspondence and comms, extant in email, written transcript, minutes of meetings or letters, which mentions the following: Cancellation of National 5 Exams in 2021 (or similar language and synonyms). Postponement of Higher and Advanced Higher Exams ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-24
Reference
FOI/202000098431
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Scottish Enterprise resignation: FOI release

Any briefings, memos or other material was produced by civil servants for Ministers and/or special advisors on the resignation of Steve Dunlop from Scottish Enterprise. Details of any meetings between civil servants, Ministers and/or special advisors where the above topic was discussed. Copies of any emails or other ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-02-23
Reference
FOI/202000103812
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Programme for Government, Public sector

Communications in relation to possible assessors in the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry: FOI release

All communications to the Scottish Government from Aamer Anwar or Aamer Anwar & Co in relation to the appointment of possible Assessors to the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry.

FOI withheld 80 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.30 s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000119227
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector

FOI statistics and overdue responses: FOI release

Can you please provide all reports (or lists) provided by the government's central FOI unit to government ministers in the period from 1 September 2020 to date that (a) contain a list of overdue FOI requests (b) shows FOI response performance. Please provide all correspondence that was sent to Ministers along with the ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000099262
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence from hospitality industry business owners and employees: FOI release

Between 7 October and 9 October 2020 how many letters, emails or other forms of correspondence were received by the Scottish Government and/or Scottish Government Ministers (Including Nicola Sturgeon) from anyone identifying as an business owner or employee in the hospitality industry? Please provide copies of this cor...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000103835
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Economy, Public sector

Correspondence from business owners or employees in hospitality industry: FOI release

Between 21 October and 22 October 2020 how many letters, emails or other forms of correspondence were received by the Scottish Government and/or Scottish Government Ministers (Including Nicola Sturgeon) from anyone identifying as an business owner or employee in the hospitality industry? Please provide copies of this c...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000103849
Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Economy, +1 more … Public sector

First Minister's full diary between specific dates: FOI release

"the First Minister’s full diary for the 20 and 21 November 2017. For any meetings that occurred on those days, please provide details and any notes/minutes regarding these meetings as well as any texts/instant messages from the First Minister regarding these meetings."

FOI partially withheld 90 score 75 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-22
Reference
FOI/202000109458
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Discussions concerning Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) interim report: FOI release

1. Details of all the discussions between Scottish Ministers and the OECD on the subject of its producing an interim report (including copies of all correspondence, documents, reports, minutes, letters and emails). 2. A copy of all the internal Scottish Government discussions (including with Scottish Government agencie...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.38(1) s.25(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-02-19
Reference
FOI/202000120882
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector