Scottish Government FOI Index

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

Structure of Scottish International Offices: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles, not names of individuals) for Scotland’s international offices, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors). The pay grades for each staff member in the international offices...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-28
Reference: 202300358397
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Prison Service mobile phones for prisoners: FOI release

Whether any value for money review has been conducted of the Scottish Prison Service’s mobile phones for prisoners project since its introduction in April 2020. All correspondence between the Scottish Prison Service and Scottish Ministers and their Special Advisers regarding prisoner mobile phones. Please provide this ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.38(1) s.33(1) s.34(1) s.35(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.20 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-28
Reference: 202300358582
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence about the proposal to set up a public energy company: FOI release

All correspondence between Scottish Government special advisers, communications staff and ministers, and all briefing notes provided to ministers, about the proposal to set up a public energy company from the beginning of September 2017 to the end of December 2017 and proposals to set up a national public energy agency...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.29 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-21
Reference: 202200298818
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Valneva plant in Livingston: FOI release

All the correspondence and any other messages - email, letter, WhatsApp, text and any other form of communication - between the Scottish Government, including the First Minister's office (including civil servants and special advisers) and Valneva, or any other company or agency involved, on the First Minister's visit t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 20 attachments

Published: 2023-12-21
Reference: 202200292252
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding proposals to introduce changes to the timetable because of driver shortages: FOI release

Provide a copy of all correspondence between Scottish Government ministers/special advisers/officials and Scotrail about proposals to introduce changes to the timetable because of driver shortages. Please also provide any correspondence between the Scottish Government and the ASLEF or RMT trade unions about pay negoti...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 152 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings contracts s.33(1) s.30 s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.33 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-20
Reference: 202200300946
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

UK Statistics Authority renewable energy statement: EIR release

Please provide details of all the correspondence received by the First Minister’s office from the Chief Statistician in Scotland relating to this matter as requested by the Chair of the UK Statistics Authority. Please also provide details of any correspondence sent from the First Minister’s office to the Chief Statisti...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 12 attachments

Published: 2023-12-18
Reference: 202300345980
Directorate: Chief Economist Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Humza Yousaf's meetings with NHS Lothian: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to the following meetings: Humza Yousaf's meeting with NHS Lothian...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.29 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-17
Reference: 202200331303
Directorate: Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Integrated Single Electricity Market in Ireland analysis and correspondence: EIR release

Scottish Government analysis and correspondence (including between Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and external parties), 6th May 2021 - date, on the subject of the Integrated Single Electricity Market in Ireland, in particular the lessons from this market for how the electricity market might function in a...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-17
Reference: 202300359032
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence relating to Nicola Sturgeon's trip to Italy: FOI release

Any correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon, her office, special advisers and MSPs in the week leading up to her trip to Bellagio in Italy about the trip. - if this costs too much, lessen the timeframe to five days before the trip and the day of the trip or take the MSPs out. Briefing notes prepared from any meetings th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-11
Reference: 202200311801
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Records of all calls and/or meetings between John Swinney and SQA: FOI release

Records of all calls and/or meetings (including video calls) between John Swinney (including his staff or any special advisers) and Fiona Robertson of the SQA. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, dates, times, attendees, personal notes, minutes The time frame for this request is 01/01/2020 - 31/8/2020 Rec...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 260 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-11
Reference: 202100211591
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and employees of the Bank of England: FOI release

Please provide copies of all email correspondence between the Scottish Government (including ministers, civil servants, and special advisers) and employees of the Bank of England (ie anyone with an @bankofengland.co.uk email address). Please restrict the search to dates between 1st January 2021 and 3rd June 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202200303686
Directorate: Chief Economist Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Independence Referendum Bill Supreme Court Correspondence: FOI release

Any correspondence between special advisers, senior civil servants within either the constitution or legal directorate, and ministers within the Scottish Government and SNP party officials around the Supreme Court reference of the independence referendum bill. This should cover the calendar year of 2022 and exclude MSP...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202200332044
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding the Scottish Labour conference and the Labour Party in general: FOI release

Internal correspondence between the press office and from the press office to Scottish Ministers and special advisers in September or October 2021 on Labour conference or Labour generally.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202200291468
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Communications correspondence on Greensill Capital and others: FOI release

Any internal or external correspondence between the Communications department, senior civil servants, ministers, and/or Special Advisers discussing media requests for comment or interview around issues relating to GFG Alliance, Sanjeev Gupta, Dalzell steelworks, or Greensill Capital, from April 1, 2022, to date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202200321975
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic

Non-disclosure agreements signed by former Ferguson Marine workers: FOI release

All correspondence between Scottish Government communications staff, government ministers and special advisers in February 2020 on media enquiries regarding non-disclosure agreements signed by former workers at the Ferguson Marine shipyard.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.30 s.38(1) 8 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202200298010
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish Government probe into leaked budget: FOI release

1a.) Have/did the Scottish Government launch a probe into the leaked budget proposals which were reported by BBC Scotland on December 15 last year? 1b.) If not, why and if you did explain the process of the investigation? 1c.) What was the final outcome of the investigation? 1d.) Any correspondence (including emails...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.1C s.1D s.38(1) s.29(1) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-08
Reference: 202300344253
Directorate: Public Spending Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Communications between the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information team and Michael Matheson: FOI release

Copies of communications between the Scottish Government’s Freedom of Information team and Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport. Please include communications with his office and his Special Advisers, and restrict the search the dates between 4th April 2022 and 15th November 2022

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-07
Reference: 202200330329
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence between staff in Education Scotland regarding the reform of the SQA and Education Scotland: FOI release

Information regarding the recently published report by Professor Ken Muir into the reform of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Education Scotland, in particular: all communication between staff in Education Scotland and ministers and/or special advisers and/or PR/comms staff relating to the announcement,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-12-05
Reference: 202200304407
Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence between the Justice Minister, ministers, civil servants and special advisors : FOI release

Emails and correspondence between the Justice Minister, ministers, civil servants and special advisors discussing the selection and appointment of the 4 person body formed as a working group into parades and public processions. Emails and correspondence between the working group members before and after appointment to ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2023-12-05
Reference: 202200290467
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence mentioning "offshore wind": FOI release

All email correspondence sent (1st August 2021 - date) by Liz Lloyd, Strategic Policy and Political Adviser to the First Minister of Scotland, and mentioning "offshore wind".

FOI partially withheld 65 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.28(1)

Published: 2023-11-29
Reference: 202200333689
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Press conference at Bute House about Supreme Court ruling: FOI release

All correspondence between ministers, special advisers and civil servants regarding the prospect of holding a press conference at Bute House on 23/11/22 about the Supreme Court ruling. This should include emails, text, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Messenger or other electronic communications, and handwritten notes.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-11-28
Reference: 202200332116
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

£20m independence fund: FOI release

What is the Scottish Government now doing with its £20m independence fund due to the Supreme Court ruling? If they are using it for independence how are you justifying it considering the Supreme Court ruled the government cannot legally legislate for a referendum? Any correspondence (including emails, WhatsApps) betwee...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2023-11-28
Reference: 202200331939
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence on transgender guidance in schools: FOI release

Any correspondence (letters, emails, notes, minutes of meetings or otherwise) between the Scottish Government and senior civil servants, special advisers, or the First Minister on the topic of transgender guidance in schools between January 2021 and the present day.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 77 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-28
Reference: 202200333588
Directorate: Learning Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Legal advice on independence referendum: FOI release

The amount spent on legal advice regarding the Scottish Government’s prospectus for an independent Scotland between 07 September 2021 and the date of response to this inquiry? Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, brief...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-27
Reference: 202200287065
Directorate: Constitution Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Ministers and the Press office regarding the Scottish Green Conference or party in general: FOI release

Internal correspondence between the press office and from the press office to Scottish Ministers and special advisers in March 2022 on the Scottish Green conference or the Scottish Greens generally.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38 s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments

Published: 2023-11-23
Reference: 202200291466
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector