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
330 matching releases

J.K. Rowling's criticism of the Scottish Government: FOI release

Any internal or external correspondence, including any attachments, WhatsApp messages, text messages, instant messaging, memos, OneNotes, minutes, agendas, appendixes or other correspondence, relating to J.K. Rowling's criticism of the Scottish Government.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 103 working days over deadline correspondence meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2024-09-26
Reference
FOI/202400424984
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Former First Minister's messages during the Covid 19 pandemic: FOI release

Nicola Sturgeon's What's App messages during the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.28 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-23
Reference
FOI/202400423476
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Microsoft change to licensing rules: FOI release

1. Please confirm on what specific date the Scottish Government was made aware of the potential issues that may arise in schools due to Microsoft changing its licensing rules, meaning accessing Microsoft Word and Powerpoint offline through Glow may cease to be an option for teachers and pupils. 2. Please provide me wi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence meetings whatsapp s.2 s.17(1) s.38(1) s.4 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-23
Reference
FOI/202400422554
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Chief Executive of NHS Scotland WhatsApp messages during the COVID-19 pandemic: FOI release

Request for the Chief Executive of NHS Scotland Caroline Lamb What's App messages during the Covid 19 pandemic.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.37(1) 4 attachments
Published
2024-09-23
Reference
FOI/202400422230
Directorate
Health and Social Care Finance Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Puberty Blocker Correspondence: FOI release

Under FOI I would please like to request all correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) between ministers of the scottish Government and their special advisors mentioning the term 'pube...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-18
Reference
FOI/202400410045
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Health and social care, Public sector

Emails sent and received by the Former First Minister: FOI Review

Original request - 202400411476 1. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf sent as First Minister from his First Minister email account. 2. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf received as First Minister from his First Minister email account. 3. The last three emails that Humza Yousaf sent as First Minister to em...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 283 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-18
Reference
FOI/202400416176 Review of 202400411476
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Officials involved in trip to Turkey for summit: FOI release

1. The number and job title of all Scottish Government officials involved in the trip to Turkey by Nadia El-Nakla for summit of leaders' spouses organised by the First Lady of Turkey on November 15 2023. 2. Between November 1 and December 31 2023, any materials (briefing notes, emails, minutes) where the details of Ms...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.30 s.32(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400394465
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Former First Minister's speech to the SNP conference: FOI release

All correspondence between the Permanent Secretary and/or his office and the First Minister and/or his private office or Special Advisers relating to the First Minister's speech to the SNP conference on 17/10/23. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include all emails or other electronic communications of any other ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400396121
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Number of times Former First Minister has taken his children on official visits: FOI release

Since becoming First Minister, how many times has Humza Yousaf taken his children on official visits, press events etc. Please provide all documents, emails, briefings, text messages, whatsapps relating to the First Minister bringing his children to work events, visits etc and their provision of care.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400396167
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Resignation of Mr Matheson as Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care: FOI release

The exact time and format in which Michael Matheson first informed Humza Yousaf of his resignation as Health Secretary and please provide the documentary evidence of this (the original email/WhatsApp/text) as well as Humza Yousaf's response). All discussions from the Scottish Government planning press lines or media r...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400398386
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and Qatari Government: FOI release

all correspondence, whatsapp, unofficial and screenshots of deleted correspondence, emails and unofficial notes between the Scottish Government and Qatari Government. all correspondence, whatsapp, unofficial and screenshots of deleted correspondence, emails and unofficial notes between the Scottish Government and Qatar...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.17(1) s.38(1) s.32(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
FOI/202400401028
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the decision to reduce Single Species Threshold: EIR release

Please can you provide all correspondence between Scottish Forestry officials and officials from the Forestry Commission relating to the decision in the new five-year forestry standard to reduce the maximum percentage for a single species in a new forest from 75 to 65 per cent. I am particularly interested to see disc...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 34 working days over deadline correspondence whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-17
Reference
EIR/202400408157
Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Data costs incurred by Former Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care of Scotland: FOI Review

Original request 202300384550 Correspondence (including WhatsApps, phone calls, text messages, emails and meetings) related to roaming charges racked up by Michael Matheson.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending whatsapp s.30 s.29(1) s.38(1) 6 attachments
Published
2024-09-12
Reference
FOI/202300389191 Review of 202300384550
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

All information relating to a forestry application FPA-11321 for the area of land west of Eglinton House, Kilwinning: EIR Release

All information relating to a forestry Application for the area of land west of Eglinton House, Kilwinning. The felling Application number is FPA-11321. The information required is as follows: 1. All email correspondence associated with the forestry application. 2. All hard copy letters issued associated with the fore...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 15 working days correspondence whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.11(1)
Published
2024-09-12
Reference
EIR/202400425874
Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

COP28 conference meetings and Former First Minister meeting with President Erdogan of Turkey: FOI release

Documents containing all internal and external correspondence concerning the meetings of Scottish Government officials, representatives and ministers with the officials, representatives and ministers of foreign countries during the period of the COP28 conference in the United Arab Emirates, which took place from 30th N...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.32 s.27(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-11
Reference
FOI/202300389881
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Meeting between Angus Robertson MSP and Israeli diplomat: FOI release

All information pertaining to the meeting between Angus Robertson MSP and Israeli diplomat Daniela Ekstein at St Andrews House on 8th August 2024. Including the details relating to how the meeting was organised, what the agenda was for and meeting minutes relating to discussions.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.32(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-10
Reference
FOI/202400426355
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Scottish Government and Israeli embassy/government meetings: FOI release

1) All correspondence between the Israeli embassy and Scottish ministers or their staff between January 2023 - August 15 2024. 2) Dates and names of who was present at any meetings (virtual, telephone or in person) between anyone in the Scottish government and anyone who works for the Israeli government between Januar...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.32(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-10
Reference
FOI/202400426726
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Retention of correspondence relating to UK Covid Inquiry: FOI release

Could you supply all emails received by the Scottish Government from the UK Covid Inquiry and the UK Government about retaining all correspondence for the inquiry? Could you supply all internal discussions, notes and briefings about Scottish Government ministers using private emails for government business, between Oct...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.28(1) s.36(1) s.37(1) s.17(1) 6 attachments
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400401815
Directorate
Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Former First Minister call with President of Turkey: FOI release

All communication - internal within the Scottish Government, between the Scottish Government and the Turkish president's office and between the Scottish Government and the FCDO - in relation to the "new year phone call" offered by President Erdogan to the First Minister referenced in the below comment. For the avoidanc...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.28(1) s.30 s.32(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400395009
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Borders Railway Extension and the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) findings: EIR release

Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) within Transport Scotland and the Cabinet Secretary for Transport relating to Borders Railway Extension and the findings from STPR2 relating to the proposed feasibility study. It was subsequently cla...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
EIR/202400412367
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

India trade deal: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, Whatsapps, text messages, briefing papers or otherwise) on the subject of a UK-India trade deal between the dates of 9 October 2023 and 22 March 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings whatsapp s.27(2) s.29(1) s.30 s.32(1) s.33(2) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400414926
Directorate
International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector