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
410 matching releases

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

Meta data request for FOI: 202100233415: FOI release

“Any correspondence, including any attachments to correspondence, concerning the handling of FOI request reference: 202100233415 where a special adviser, minister, or ministerial private office was cc-ed or bcc-ed in on the correspondence.”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-07-19
Reference
FOI/202300363591
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding Scotland offshore wind potential: EIR release

FOI request: In November 2022 the Scottish Government announced that it would be updating the discredited statistic that Scotland has 25% of Europe’s offshore wind potential. Please provide: 1. All internal Scottish Government correspondence (8th November 2022 - date) related to the updating of the statistic, includi...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.4 s.10(4) 4 attachments
Published
2023-06-15
Reference
FOI/202300356373
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Economy, Energy, 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

Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) information: FOI release

Question 1 - How much money has the Scottish Government handed out to Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) over the last five years? Breakdown of when and what the money was spent on. Question 2 - How much money has SHAAP paid to the Scottish Government over the same time period? Breakdown of when and wh...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers contracts spending s.25(1) s.38(1) 12 attachments
Published
2023-05-03
Reference
FOI/202300347130
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding 2022 school examinations: FOI Review

Original request - 202100231963 "The Scottish Government has today confirmed that exams will take place in 2022 (if safe to do so) - https://www.gov.scot/news/national-qualifications-2022/. Please release any internal communication between the Scottish Government members and staff (first minister, education secretary, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 178 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.38 s.36 2 attachments
Published
2023-04-19
Reference
FOI/202200312728 Review of 202100231963
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, 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

Correspondence mentioning “euro” and “currency”: FOI release

All email correspondence sent or received by the Scottish Government Special Adviser Ewan Crawford, 1st May 2021 - date, mentioning “euro” and “currency”. Your clarification sent on 26 February 2023 confirmed that you are looking for email correspondence sent or received from 1 May 2021 to the date of your request, rat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-03-30
Reference
FOI/202300344511
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

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

Resilience Room Meetings including broadband/phone outage on Shetland: FOI release

1. The details of the Scottish Government Resilience Room Meeting that took place on 20 October 2022 regarding the broadband/phone outage on Shetland. Please include attendees, any minutes of the meeting, how long the meeting lasted and who chaired the meeting. 2. Every Scottish Government Resilience Room Meeting that ...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers meetings 2 attachments
Published
2023-03-02
Reference
FOI/202200326238
Directorate
Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic
Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

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

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

Correspondence on Sustainable Growth Commission report informing contents of Building a New Scotland publication: FOI release

Please provide all Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) correspondence and documents discussing how the SNP’s Sustainable Growth Commission report (published in 2018) would inform the contents of Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence – published by the...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.29(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-02-07
Reference
FOI/202200333877
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

First Minister's August 2022 Copenhagen visit: FOI release

The following information related to the First Minister’s August 2022 visit to Copenhagen: 1) How much did Nicola Sturgeon's trip to Copenhagen cost and breakdown of these costs? 2) Itinerary of what Ms Sturgeon did in Copenhagen, including her mode of transport and where she stayed and costs of this. 3) Briefing notes...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.3 s.27(1) s.4 2 attachments
Published
2023-01-25
Reference
FOI/202200317683
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Ministerial briefings on Audit Scotland report into ferry hulls 801 and 802 construction: FOI release

1) Any ministerial briefings on the subject of Audit Scotland's report into the construction of island ferries hulls 801 and 802 between March 1 and July 1, 2022. 2) Any correspondence between ministers, special advisers, senior civil servants - including WhatsApp and other instant messaging apps - on how the handle th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.33(1) s.38(1) s.30 10 attachments
Published
2023-01-11
Reference
FOI/202200324642
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Press officers and special advisors: FOI release

1. How many press officers and special advisers are currently (date of this FOI) employed by the Scottish Government? Breakdown of both categories. 2. How many of both categories were employed in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021? 3. How many special advisers does Nicola Sturgeon have? How many does each minister have? How much a...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.2 s.6 s.25(1) s.27(1)
Published
2022-11-17
Reference
FOI/202200325260
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Visit of Michelle O'Neill to Bute House and meeting with First Minister: FOI release

On May 20 this year, Michelle O'Neill MLA visited the First Minister at Bute House. https://www.gov.scot/news/first-minister-meets-michelle-oneill-mla/ Please supply all items of information generated by the First Minister, her officials and special advisers in relation to the arranging of this meeting, its conduct and...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-19
Reference
FOI/202200312323
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, 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

Correspondence regarding Orbital Energy: FOI release

Any correspondence from Lorna Slater or her ministerial office or any special advisers on the topic of Orbital Energy from the date she became a minister to date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-30
Reference
FOI/202200311896
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, 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

Correspondence with Lord Advocate regarding the Supreme Court: FOI release

1) Any correspondence, including meetings, notes, memos, agendas, ministerial briefings and minutes, between the Scottish Government and the office of the Lord Advocate on the topic of the Lord Advocate's reference to the Supreme Court between January 1, 2022 and June 28, 2022. This should include any emails, letters, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-22
Reference
FOI/202200312193
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector