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

330 matching releases

All correspondence with former Chairman of Wood’s Group UK Ltd: FOI release

All communications between the Scottish Government and Ian Wood, former Wood’s Group Chairman, between May 2023 and October 2023. The above should include email, written, WhatsApp communications between any Scottish Government Ministers, Special Advisers, Civil Servants or more please, as well as records/minutes of an...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400406272
Directorate: Economic Development Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

Meeting of Former First Minister and Chinese Consul General in Scotland: FOI release

Minutes of the meeting on 16 January between the First Minister and Zhang Biao, Chinese Consul General in Scotland. All internal and external correspondence relating to this meeting. This should include email, WhatsApp or any other form of electroniccommunication as well as any handwritten notes or notes taken from ve...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.32(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-30
Reference: FOI/202400409335
Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Holocaust Memorial Day Saltire article: FOI release

I understand that the article on the Scottish Government's intranet, Saltire, to make Holocaust Memorial Day was this year published without the ability for Scottish Government civil servants to comment on it. Under FOI legislation, I request: (1) all communications, in whatever form (email, Teams, WhatsApp, etc) abou...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence whatsapp s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-29
Reference: FOI/202400396399
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Usage and policy guidance for mobile messaging apps: FOI release

All information, risk analysis and minutes of related meetings that explain how the policy available at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/mobile-messaging-apps-usage-and-policy-guidance/ (dated 31 October 2023) was arrived at. In particular, what was the justification for permitting government officials to conduct go...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-29
Reference: FOI/202400396640
Directorate: Digital Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Scottish National Investment Bank and Scottish Enterprise correspondence: FOI release

Full correspondence between Kate Forbes during her tenure as Finance Minister and the Scottish National Investment Bank. This would entail - 1. All correspondence (emails, letters, texts, WhatsApp messages etc) between Kate Forbes and the Scottish National Investment Bank, between 1st November 2020 and 28 March 2023. ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38 s.34(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-15
Reference: FOI/202300385487
Directorate: International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic: Economy, Public sector

UK Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee: FOI release

All correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) relating to the Minister for Transport’s invitation to give evidence to the UK Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee on Monday 11 Septem...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 59 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.17(1) s.1 s.38 s.29(1) s.27(1) s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2024-08-14
Reference: FOI/202300377285
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence regarding Confucius Institutes: FOI release

Please share any internal and external communications relating to concerns regarding the influence or actions of Chinese state actors in Scotland which have occurred since September 2022. Concerns may include – but not be limited to – risks posed by Confucius Institutes in Scottish universities, potential threats to S...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1) s.26 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-14
Reference: FOI/202300381825
Directorate: Safer Communities Directorate
Topic: Public safety and emergencies, Public sector

Barnett consequentials and the UK Treasury swimming pool fund: FOI release

All speaking notes, correspondence, texts and WhatsApp messages held by the Scottish Government pertaining to Barnett consequentials and the UK Treasury swimming pool fund: a/ for Minister Siobhan Brown on June 29 2023 b/ and for Minister Joe FitzPatrick on September 27 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.29 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-13
Reference: FOI/202300378368
Directorate: Population Health Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Community Link Workers: FOI release

A copy of all briefing and correspondence, since the 31 March 2023, between the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) relat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.30 4 attachments

Published: 2024-08-12
Reference: FOI/202300374008
Directorate: Primary Care Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Implementation of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021: FOI release

All correspondence between Police Scotland team and the Scottish Government regarding the implementation of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 – henceforth referred to as the Act . This should include emails, phone calls, zoom/teams meetings WhatsApp and/or instant messages and in-person meetings. Plea...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2024-08-12
Reference: FOI/202300374816
Directorate: Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic: Equality and rights, Public sector

Gender Recognition Reform Bill correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, briefings, WhatsApp messages or otherwise) between Ash Regan (formerly known as Ash Denham) and Nicola Sturgeon (and/or her officials) with regards to the Gender Recognition Reform ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 11 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-12
Reference: FOI/202300378440
Directorate: Justice Directorate
Topic: Law and order, Public sector

Redactions in WhatsAPP/text message documents: FOI Review

Original request 202400404999 All of the "out of scope" redactions in the document at https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi[1]202100255908/ 2. The extent of the redacted material within the 106 page document by using black block within the released document over the redacted content.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 50 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.36(1) s.38(2A) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-08-07
Reference: FOI/202400410703 Review of 202400404999
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show - Deputy First Minister's interview 19th November 2023: FOI release

All emails, correspondence, WhatsApp messages, text messages and notes in relation to the Deputy First Minister's interview appearance and subsequent cancellation for BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show episode of Sunday 19 November.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) 6 attachments

Published: 2024-07-18
Reference: FOI/202300385699
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Business, industry and innovation, Public sector

Internal communications on presumed limit of land ownership: EIR release

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act, I would like to request the following information: All internal communications involving relevant Ministers, Special Advisors, or ministerial staff, relating tothe topic of a presumed limit on land ownership, from 06/05/2021 to present. Communication would include, but ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-07-15
Reference: FOI/202300377903
Directorate: Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic: Farming and rural, Public sector

James Hamilton correspondence, WhatsApp review, Covid inquiry and Hugh Pennington Correspondence: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internal, notes from any meetings, minutes and briefings about the chief nursing officer retiring, from between November 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internal,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.25(1) s.27(1) s.34(1) s.38 2 attachments

Published: 2024-07-10
Reference: FOI/202400403162
Directorate: Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) Correspondence: FOI release

You asked for 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 'United Nations Relief and Works...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-07-09
Reference: FOI/202400396004
Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Former First Minister's interests correspondence: 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 Aamer Anwar being included as a "personal friend" in the First Minister's interests.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-07-04
Reference: FOI/202300390913
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence regarding draft climate change plan: EIR release

Please can you provide copies of correspondence within the Scottish Government about the delaying of the new draft climate change plan. I'd like all correspondence from the start of July 2023 to the end of December 2023. Please provide any emails, texts, whatsapp messages and any other correspondence relating to the d...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers contracts whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-05-23
Reference: FOI/202400394829
Directorate: Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic: Environment and climate change, Public sector

Appointment of Mike Russell as chairman of Scottish Lands and Estates: FOI release

The following regarding the appointment of Mike Russell as chairman of Scottish Lands and Estates. Describe in as much detail as process for selecting Mike Russell. Did he have to fill in an application? Which other candidates were considered? Was there an interview process? Was there any kind of scoring criteria used...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-05-15
Reference: FOI/202300390024
Directorate: People Directorate
Topic: Public sector, Work and skills

Creative Scotland decision to fund Rein: FOI release

Supply any ministerial or first ministerial correspondence, or any other official correspondence from government to Creative Scotland on the subject of Rein, in the form of memos, emails, whatsapp or any other written or digital media in the period after March 10. Also I would be obliged if you supply any internal gov...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-05-13
Reference: FOI/202400406856
Directorate
Topic: Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner: FOI release

All emails, text messages, WhatsApp's, minutes and other forms of communications of/between Ministers, SPADs, civil servants and other Scottish Government officials regarding/referencing/discussing the court case known as The Scottish Ministers v The Scottish Information Commissioner (case reference number XA10/23) up ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments

Published: 2024-04-18
Reference: FOI/202300388336
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Correspondence relating to the resignation of Professor Jason Leitch: FOI release

Please provide me with any internal or external correspondence, including any attachments, WhatsApp messages, text messages, instant messaging, memos, OneNotes, minutes, agendas, appendixes or other correspondence, relating to the resignation of Jason Leitch.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.38(1) 10 attachments

Published: 2024-04-15
Reference: FOI/202400404239
Directorate: Health and Social Care Finance Directorate
Topic: Health and social care, Public sector

Correspondence regarding 14th December 2023 Parliamentary statement: FOI release

"Any correspondence or records of world leaders approaching the Scottish Government for advice of any such topics. This could be email, letters, text or WhatsApp messages, I am sure any correspondence with world leaders on these topics would be recorded officially and I would like to see these. As well as the correspo...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.17(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-27
Reference: FOI/202300390011
Directorate
Topic: International, Public sector

Programme for government/FM and perm sec: FOI Review

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 2023 programme for government. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include all emails or other electronic communications of any other kind (WhatsApp, Teams, Signa...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.33(2) s.38(1)

Published: 2024-03-18
Reference: FOI/202400401266
Directorate: Strategy Directorate
Topic: Public sector

Information pertaining to WhatsApp messages: FOI Appeal

Request 1: I am writing to you to request the following information. For the month of August 2021, any WhatsApp messages or text messages sent or received by any government minister on government business. Request 2: I am writing to you to request the following information. For the entire month of March, 2021 (inc...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 88 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.17 s.26 s.28(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.19 s.34(1) 2 attachments

Published: 2024-03-15
Reference: FOI Appeal of 202100255908 / 202100255912
Directorate: Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic: Public sector