Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,863releases indexed
39,476attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,112partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-05-20newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,112 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

2026-05 410 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 1,279 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
8,112 matching releases

Number of planning decisions appealed to Scottish Ministers: EIR release

"FOI on planning decisions overturned I would like to ask the following: In each year since 2023-24, including the current year to date, how many planning decisions were appealed to Scottish Ministers? Please provide as much detail as possible. In relation to Q1, how many of those appeals resulted in the original pla...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-21
Reference
FOI/202500489536
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy meeting held regarding opposition to wind farms: EIR release

How many meetings has Gillian Martin held with campaigners/campaign groups against pylons, and campaigners/campaign groups against wind farms, in the last two years? Could you supply a list of requests made to Ms Martin and or/her office for meetings by these campaign groups in the same time frame?

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1)
Published
2026-01-21
Reference
FOI/202500489409
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

Documentation that mentions former UK Prime Minister: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, which mentions Margaret Thatcher, from the last month.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488177
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Documentation regarding free school breakfast clubs: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, and analysis, about free school breakfast clubs, from the last month.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings contracts s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.33(2) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488053
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Documentation regarding the Right to Decide paper: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about the Right to Decide paper, between August 1 2025 and September 30 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488196
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora meeting documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence and received (including internal), minutes/notes from the meeting, briefings and analysis about Angus Robertson's meeting with Minister for Diaspora Neale Richmond on June 16/17, between June 1 2025 and August 1 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.32(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488096
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury which related to Aggregates tax: FOI release

For the period 1st January 2025 - date, please provide all correspondence and notes of phone calls or meetings (in person or virtual) between the Chief Secretary to the Treasury (or their office) and Shona Robison (or her office) which mentions Aggregates Tax. Context The Aggregates Tax and Devolved Tax Administratio...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.28 s.38 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500487079
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act: FOI release

Any correspondence sent to or from the Scottish Government relating to the option of a Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 between 30 November 2022 and 20 July 2023. Any correspondence sent to or from the Scottish Government’s Justice Directorate relating to the option of a Legi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.30 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500487188
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Transport Scotland - Aberdeen City Council low emission zone decision making process information: EIR release

Information around the decision-making process for implementing the low emission zone in Aberdeen City Council. 1) Could you please provide the air quality data and statistics that would have been gathered during the data gathering window in Aberdeen City Council implementing their low emission zone, and show the tren...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.2 s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
EIR/202500489997
Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector, Transport

Queries relating to the draft speech Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity regarding Urban Gull Summit: EIR release

1. A copy of the draft speech prepared for Jim Fairlie ahead of the Ministerial Statement on 1 October 2025 on the Urban Gull Summit. 2. A copy of any briefing prepared for Jim Fairlie ahead of the Ministerial Statement on 1 October 2025 on the Urban Gull Summit. 3. A copy of any correspondence sent to or sent from J...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500487372
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Copies of the contract between Dunedin and Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB): FOI release

1. A copy of ancillary contract between AIB and Dunedin and any third party input. 2. A copy of the “call-off contract” and the agency agreement between AIB and Dunedin.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence contracts s.33(1) s.38(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488328
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Transport Scotland's involvement in the tendering process of the extension of Borders Railway: EIR release

Was Transport Scotland involved in the tendering process to award the contract? If Transport Scotland was involved, can you tell me the contracted price of the award to Turner & Townsend?. Also, if Transport Scotland was involved in awarding the contract, is there a target date for the completion on the Study? And fina...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 0 working days correspondence contracts s.20 s.39(2)
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500490674
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Documentation that mentions BAE Systems: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including minutes/notes from meetings, correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings and analysis, which mentions or is/from BAE Systems, from the last month.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 7 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488769
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Statistics on Education Scotland employees who failed probation: FOI release

You asked for the following information: Please provide the total number of former employees at your organisation who failed their probation and had their employment ended, broken down into a table to reflect every financial year since 2021-22.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 15 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500489282
Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Hate crime consultation information: FOI release

Copies of all correspondence (internal and external), notes and any other information in relation to the decision to extend the closing date to the Scottish Government consultation on the SSI to add sex as a protected characteristic to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488828
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence regarding editing First Minister’s media release after publication: FOI release

This request relates to the following news release: https://www.gov.scot/news/challenging-poverty-with-family-friendly-policies/ When first published on 6th October 2025, the above news release included the following statement: The cost-of-living guarantee: Lower income tax than in the rest of the UK for the majori...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488097
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Briefing documents concerning Russian influenced operations in Scotland: FOI release

Any intelligence or briefing documents shared with Ministers concerning Russian influence operations in Scotland and any potential links to pro-UK political groups like Reform UK.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.3(2) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488300
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order, 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

Correspondence on First Minister’s Tax Claim and Potential Correction: FOI release

At FMQs on 2nd October 2025, John Swinney said this: “Over half of taxpayers in Scotland continue to pay less tax than if they lived elsewhere in the United Kingdom.” Please provide all internal and external correspondence (including by direct messaging application) and notes of phone calls or meetings (in person or ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488531
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Transport Scotland - Reinstatement of island representation on Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd Board: FOI release

You have: (1) raised concerns about the reappointment decision of Mr Murdo MacLennan to the CMAL Board, including the impact the decision will have on island community representation. You have called on Scottish Ministers to either reinstate Mr MacLennan or urgently appoint a qualified island-based Director. (2) requ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488744
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice’s income tax remark discussions: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence (including by direct messaging application) and notes of phone calls or meetings (in person or virtual) involving Scottish Government ministers, civil servants, special advisers, or press officers, which discuss the veracity of Shirley-Anne Somerville’s below remarks, and/or the...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488544
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding combating knife crime: FOI release

You asked for all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings and analysis, about combating knife crime, from the last month.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.28(1) s.38(1) s.28 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488141
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service retirement statistics: FOI release

You asked for the following information: Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) I request the following recorded information held by the SPPA for the period 1 January 2015 to the most recent full year: 1) For each financial year (e.g., 2015/16, 2016/17, etc.) and separately for (a) police office...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 14 working days correspondence spending s.20
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500490509
Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

List of all job titles in the Honours and Protocols Team: FOI review

Original request 202500484832 1. The list of all job titles in the Honours and Protocols Team 2. The current management structure (organogram or similar) of the ‘Honours and Protocols Team’, no staff personal names are required however job titles would be appreciated 3. Current job descriptions of those roles in the...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488756 Review of 202500484832
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills