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

First Minister meeting with President Erdogan of Turkey during Cop 28: FOI release

If you could provide copies of all correspondence and messages, including emails and WhatsApps, regarding the invitation and arrangements for the First Minister to meet President Erdogan of Turkey during Cop 28. Please also include any correspondence with the UK Government and any briefings prepared for the First Minis...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.32(1)A s.38(1)B s.32 s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-20
Reference
FOI/202300388013
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Jason Leitch WhatsApp messages: FOI release

Correspondence on the topic of how to respond to a media enquiry from The Times newspaper about Jason Leitch deleting his WhatsApp messages each day and any resulting follow-up enquiry by other journalists or publications. This should include, but not be limited to, discussions between civil servants, special advisers,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.30 s.38 s.36 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-20
Reference
FOI/202400394859
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

National Clinical Director WhatsApp messages: FOI release

All internal communications, including emails and informal electronic communications, which relate to the gathering of information in relation to this denial, the formulation of the denial and the signing off of the denial ("It is not correct to suggest that the National Clinical Director deleted every WhatsApp message...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.30 s.38 s.36 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-20
Reference
FOI/202400394753
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications between First Minister and investment firm Baillie Gifford: FOI release

Any emails, texts, WhatsApp’s, minutes of meetings or other communications received or sent by the first minister, Rt Hon Humza Yousaf MSP, which mention the investment firm, Baillie Gifford from the start of July this year.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.25(1) 6 attachments
Published
2024-02-06
Reference
FOI/202300385292
Directorate
International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Uig Triangle Calmac service 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 Ministers of the Scottish Government and business and community groups from the Outer Hebrides regarding CalMac's ferry services o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 106 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.38(1) 8 attachments
Published
2024-01-30
Reference
202200305839
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spending review: 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 the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service regarding the Scottish Government’s Resource Spending Review. Ple...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-29
Reference
202200303696
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector

WhatsApp messages relating to council tax freeze: FOI release

Under FOISA please provide all whatsapps messages sent and received by a) Ministers, b) Special Advisers, and c) Senior Civil Servants, between the dates 10/10/23 and 23/10/23 regarding Council Tax and the Council Tax Freeze

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.30 4 attachments
Published
2024-01-26
Reference
FOI/202300383164
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Public sector

WhatsApp messages relating to council tax freeze: FOI review

In your FOISA request of 31 October 2023 you requested: “all whatsapp messages sent and received by a) Ministers, b) Special Advisers, and c) Senior Civil Servants, between the dates 10/10/23 and 23/10/23 regarding Council Tax and the Council Tax Freeze” Your email asked for a review of the response to the request on t...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 9 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.30
Published
2024-01-26
Reference
FOI/202300388284 review of 202300383164
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic

All communications with SPS regarding Isla Bryson: FOI review

You asked for a review of our failure to respond to your request dated 27 January 2023 under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA) for: A copy of any written communication or records of verbal communication between ministers relating to Adam Graham/Isla Bryson, the minutes of any meetings where they w...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 81 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.25(1) s.36(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2024-01-23
Reference
FOI 202300350955 Review of 202300340371
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Resignation of Eilidh Mactaggart: FOI review

All correspondence including emails, briefing notes, text and WhatsApp messages, documents and memos relating to the resignation of Eilidh Mactaggart, the CEO of the Scottish National Investment Bank.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-23
Reference
202200285209
Directorate
International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Right to Addiction Recovery Bill consultation: FOI review

Any analysis conducted by the Scottish Government of the Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill consultation. Please provide any analysis conducted after 1 September 2021 to the present date. Any internal Scottish Government correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 112 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp 4 attachments
Published
2024-01-22
Reference
FOI/202200276887 Review of 202100252172
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence to and from General Teaching Council for Scotland: FOI release

All John Swinney's correspondence to and from the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and their staff and/or Council members (including email, letter or any other communications which includes text, WhatsApp or any other means , and including a search of deleted items and all servers). The correspondence can b...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-18
Reference
202300355111
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications between the Scottish Government and UK monarchy on various topics: FOI release

Any communications between the government and the UK monarchy or their representatives which refer – either directly or indirectly – to: Laws and legislation The Crown Estate Any property or assets owned by the monarchy in Scotland Crown consent Carbon emissions. Please include all communication channels used by gove...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence spending whatsapp s.38 s.41 s.20 18 attachments
Published
2024-01-10
Reference
202300339844
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information around devices supplied to Ministers: FOI release

Q1. What types of Government supplied devices are used by Government Ministers (including the First Minister) and Cabinet Secretaries? Q2. What applications are allowed to be installed on these devices? For example, Microsoft Word, Scotrail Timetable, Microsoft Outlook & Teams, iMessage or WhatsApp? Q3. What systems ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.30 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-10
Reference
202200329558
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with Zero Tolerance: FOI release

All communication between Zero Tolerance and Scottish government ministers, special advisers and civil servants relating to the first minister's speech on 29/11/22 to mark Zero Tolerance's 30th anniversary. This should include emails, text, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Messenger or any other electronic messages, as well...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-05
Reference
202200332441
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial appointments to the Cairngorms National Park Authority board: FOI release

What evidence was provided (in the form of emails, telephone calls, documents, messages, including by WhatsApp, Snapchat and text) to the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity - to allow her to determine that the skills of current Ministerial Appointments to the Cairngorms National Park Authority...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.22 22 attachments
Published
2024-01-03
Reference
202300344896
Directorate
Environment and Forestry 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

All correspondence between the office of the First Minister, Crown Office and Police Scotland: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence, (including, reports, letters, email, WhatsApp, SMS, and phone correspondence) and logs of phone calls and meetings, from personal and corporate devices, between the office of the First Minister (both the former First Minister, and the new FM) and the Crown Office, and Police Scotland,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) s.20 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-27
Reference
202300350290
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence in relation to the early cancellation of Abellio's contract to run ScotRail: FOI release

Correspondence and minutes of meetings between ScotRail senior management, Abellio, Transport Scotland, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson between October and December 2019 in relation to the early cancellation of Abellio's contract to run ScotRail. Correspondence and minutes of meetings between the same partners bet...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 277 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings contracts whatsapp s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.38 8 attachments
Published
2023-12-22
Reference
202200299631
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communication between Scottish Government and UK Government regarding drinks deposit return scheme: EIR release

All correspondence (including texts, emails and WhatsApp’s) between the Scottish Government and UK Government regarding the drinks deposit return scheme between Dec 2022 and the date of this FOI. If too much money, narrow it to Jan 2023 and this date. Has the Scottish Government asked the UK Government for a United Kin...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 70 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.6(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-22
Reference
202300345169
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications regarding resignation of Terry A'Hearn from SEPA: EIR release

All correspondence including emails, briefing papers, WhatsApp and text messages, memos and voice messages relating to the conduct allegations and resignation of Terry A'Hearn from Sepa. As the information you have requested is 'environmental information' for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Re...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence briefings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-21
Reference
202200291288
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between First Minister, Humza Yousaf and Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak since Mr Yousaf became First Minister: FOI release

Provide any and all correspondence between First Minister Humza Yousaf and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak since Mr Yousaf became First Minister on March 28? This might include emails, letters or details/minutes of meetings, telephone calls, SMS/Whatsapp messages between Mr Yousaf and Mr Sunak. Can details/minutes of thei...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.28 s.38(1) s.28(1) s.30 s.39(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-21
Reference
202300364253
Directorate
Constitution 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 with residents effected by Storm Arwen: FOI release

How many residents affected by Storm Arwen were contacted by the Scottish Government for the purpose of conducting its Storm Arwen review. Please provide the number of residents contacted between 26 November 2021 and 27 January 2022. All correspondence between Scottish Government Ministers and residents affected by Sto...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.17(1) 6 attachments
Published
2023-12-20
Reference
202200276452
Directorate
Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence received by Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon MSP regarding ‘fertiliser’ and the ‘price of fertiliser’: EIR release

All correspondence received by Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon MSP regarding ‘price of fertiliser’, ‘shortages of fertiliser’, ‘price of ammonium nitrate fertiliser’, and ‘shortages of ammonium nitrate fertiliser’ between 8 May 2021 and 16 March 2022 including, emails, Whatsapp messages and meeting minutes. As the inf...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.10(5) 12 attachments
Published
2023-12-19
Reference
202200288436
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Public sector