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

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and Dr Robbie Mochrie: FOI release

Please provide copies of all email correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil servants, and Special Advisers) and Dr Robbie Mochrie of Heriot-Watt University. Please restrict the search to dates between 1st January 2021 and 24th June 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-22
Reference
202200307868
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence: FOI release

On 17th October, the Scottish Government published Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence. It included this statement: "Given the uncertainty over the outlook for the global, UK, and Scottish economies, and future fiscal and economic policy decisions by the UK and Scottish governments prior to ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-22
Reference
202200325262
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and NHS Grampian: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between NHS Grampian and/or Scottish Government ministers and/or special advisers about FOI request FOI/2022/807 regarding the response to that FOI request. Information should include but not be limi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 62 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-22
Reference
202300339767
Directorate
Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and Scotonomic podcast or Scotonomic Live festival: FOI release

Copies of all email correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil servants, and Special Advisers) and anyone representing the Scotonomics podcast or Scotonomics Live festival, 1st January 2021 - date." You further clarified on 21 February 2023 that you were interested in correspondence "bet...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-22
Reference
202300342984
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Comparability of Ireland's GDP with Scotland's GDP: FOI release

All internal Scottish Government discussion (including between Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers), 6th May 2021 to date, on the question of the comparability of Ireland's GDP with Scotland's GDP.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
202300353396
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Travel by Ministers for Party Political Occasions: FOI release

In Section 9.23 of the Ministerial Code, Travel by Ministers – Party Political Occasions, it states that; ‘Where a visit is a mix of political and official engagements, it is important that the Government and the party each meet a proper proportion of the actual cost’. Please provide information on whether or not the S...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.9 s.17(1) s.39(1)
Published
2023-11-20
Reference
FOI/202300373939
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scotland's offshore wind route map: EIR release

On 28th September 2010, the Scottish Government published Scotland's offshore wind route map: developing Scotland's offshore wind industry to 2020. The first line of the Executive Summary reads: “Scotland has an estimated 25% of Europe‟s offshore wind potential.” Please provide all internal Scottish Government (inclu...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-16
Reference
202200329849
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence of discussion relating to domestic abuse: FOI release

Any correspondence (letters, emails, notes, minutes of meetings, discussions or otherwise) between senior civil servants, special advisers, or the First Minister on the topic of domestic abuse between 30 March 2022 and the present day.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-16
Reference
202300339894
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Screening of Adult Human Female film at University of Edinburgh: FOI release

Any information in the form of emails, briefing notes, situation reports, confirmation of verbal updates between civil servants, special advisers or any other Scottish Government employees and the First Minister about the film Adult Human Female and the filming of it that was cancelled at Edinburgh University.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200334823
Directorate
Lifelong Learning and Skills Directorate
Topic
Public sector

External review carried out by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde: FOI release

Information contained in all communications, discussions, documents and meetings within the Scottish Government and with any other public authority or person in relation to the external review to be carried out by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (of allegations and disclosures and material in relation to actions carried ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 56 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings contracts s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-14
Reference
202200334659
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence relating to Europe's offshore wind resources: FOI release

This request relates to a previous FOI response, reference: 202200325962 On page 5 of the correspondence attachment to the above referenced FOI response, an email sent on 30th September 2022 states that the below paragraph of text was provided to “another team: “The claim about 25% of Europe's offshore wind resources...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202200333683
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice and correspondence relating to operation branchform: FOI release

1. The cost of any legal advice - either from the Scottish Government's legal directorate or from external advisers/counsel - in regards to Operation Branchform. 2. Any internal correspondence among senior civil servants, special advisers, and ministers (including any attachments or referenced briefings) on the topic o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.17(1) s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.35(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300368382
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence sent by Scottish Government Special Advisers, mentioning “Humza Yousaf” or just “Humza”, between 15th February 2023 and 1st March 2023: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence sent by Scottish Government Special Advisers, and mentioning “Humza Yousaf” or just “Humza”, between 15th February 2023 and 1st March 2023.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence special advisers s.25(1) s.38(1) s.38 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-30
Reference
202300345536
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence referencing Long Covid to and from special advisers: FOI release

A copy of any correspondence from 2 August 2021 - 29 September 2021 to and from Special advisors referencing Long Covid in any context (including emails, word documents and meeting minutes).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 64 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-25
Reference
202300336977
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Various First Minister questions: FOI release

Full expenses and itinerary for Nicola Sturgeon's trip to London on March 20 2023, including hotel costs and transport costs. All correspondence (including calls, emails and whatsapps) between the Scottish Government, Nicola Sturgeon, her office, her special advisers and ITV/Loose Women producers regarding her appearan...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-24
Reference
202300349982
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Prison Service lessons learned review: FOI release

When the Scottish Prison Service CEO received the lessons learned review into the case of Isla Bryson which the Scottish Government claimed would happen on 3 February 2023. The final version of the Scottish Prison Service’s report on the lessons learned review and any draft versions of this report completed by the Scot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 63 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-23
Reference
202300342588
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Alternative GERS project: FOI release

On 11th March 2023, Humza Yousaf told an SNP leadership hustings audience in Glasgow that if he became First Minister, he would take forward the “alternative GERS” project, originally announced by Derek Mackay in October 2019. Please provide: The number of civil servants working on the alternative GERS project, broke...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-23
Reference
202300353929
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and employees or representatives of Circularity Scotland: EIR release

Please provide all correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, and Press Officers) and employees or representatives of Circularity Scotland, 1st February 2023 - date. As the information you have requested is ‘environmental information’ for the purposes of the ...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 79 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-20
Reference
202300343396
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government documents mentioning “nodal pricing” and “zonal pricing” in the context of the electricity market: EIR release

All Scottish Government documents mentioning “nodal pricing” and “zonal pricing” in the context of the electricity market, including correspondence between Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers, and with external parties, from 1st January 2022 - date. As the information you have requested is ‘environmental i...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.6(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-20
Reference
202300356274
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding the Scottish Conservatives Removal of Office and Recall Bill: FOI release

Copies of any correspondence (briefing, letters, emails, handwritten notes, memos, minutes of calls, minutes of meetings, attachments and/ore otherwise) from and/or to civil servants and/or Special Advisers and/or Scottish Government MSPs regarding the Scottish Conservatives Removal of Office and Recall Bill.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-16
Reference
202300361918
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Renewable Statisic: EIR review

At FMQs on 22nd June 2023, the First Minister made a false statement about Scotland's share of the UK's renewables. Please provide all correspondence sent by the First Minister to the Presiding Officer and other MSPs notifying them of his false statement and proposed correction to the Official Report. Please also provi...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.20 s.39(2) s.29 s.38 s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-13
Reference
FOI/202300376627 Review of 202300367955
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Staff working on the Deposit Return Scheme: EIR release

“How many civil servant staff are currently employed in the Deposit Return Scheme development Directorate?” “The breakdown of those staff by grade, numbers at each grade and what each of those grades costs the Scottish Government?” “How many professional advisers are currently employed in the Scottish Government?” “The...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers spending s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1)
Published
2023-10-03
Reference
202300359680
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic

Correspondence between Scottish Government and representatives of Ofgem: EIR review

In your review request you noted that you had: ‘…asked for correspondence with a specific organisation (Ofgem) on a specific topic (ScotWind) over a relatively short period of time… All that is required is a search for correspondence including @ofgem.gov.uk email addresses and the keyword “ScotWind”.’

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 8 attachments
Published
2023-09-13
Reference
202300362000 review of 202300356282
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and Circularity Scotland from March 2021: EIR release

Please provide all correspondence between the Circular Economy Minister and her special advisers/private office and the chief executive and chairman of Circularity Scotland from March 2021 to today’s date. Please also provide any briefing notes provided to the Circular Economy Minister for meetings with the chairman or...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 66 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2023-08-25
Reference
FOI/202300347257
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Economy, Environment and climate change, +1 more … Public sector

Communications with Operation Branchform Mentions: FOI release

All emails sent or received by Scottish Ministers and/or Special Advisers containing the term “Branchform” or “Branch form”. Please provide the full contents of emails containing either of these terms dating back to 1 September 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.35(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-08-21
Reference
FOI/202300367384
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector