Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

22,922releases indexed
40,952attachments found
29.5avg calendar days
8,507partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-11-04newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,507 unclear 7,460 not held 3,292 released 1,599 already published 716 cost limit 637 clarification 377 withheld 251 transferred 83

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 5225 s.20 4485 s.34(1) 3789 s.39(2) 3640 s.30 3038 s.17(1) 2981 s.25(1) 2557 s.10(4) 2089 s.11(2) 1639 s.29(1) 1249 s.2 1245 s.3 980

Timeline

2026-11 48 2026-10 227 2026-09 8 2026-08 299 2026-07 476 2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,336 releases · 27.8 avg days Marine Directorate 991 releases · 29.7 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 972 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 871 releases · 34.3 avg days Economic Development Directorate 741 releases · 39.6 avg days Constitution Directorate 710 releases · 35.8 avg days Population Health Directorate 678 releases · 28.6 avg days People Directorate 667 releases · 25.5 avg days
Clear
7,460 matching releases

Net Zero Secretary's Briefing For MPs 27 October 2022: FOI release

You asked for all items of information held in relation to the briefing prepared for Net Zero Secretary Michael Matheson for his meeting with MPs Stephen Flynn and Alan Brown on 27 October 2022, and all notes and records of this meeting.

FOI unclear 75 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202300339800
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff Structure for the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans office: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles not names of individuals) for the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans office, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government. The pay gr...

FOI unclear 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200335623
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Discussions of independence referendum and the Supreme Court in cabinet meetings: FOI release

On how many occasions in (i) The calendar year 2022 (ii) the financial year 2022 2023 has the Scottish Government Cabinet discussed another independence referendum at meetings of the Cabinet? On how many occasions did the Cabinet discuss the Supreme Court at meetings of the Cabinet?

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence meetings
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200330040
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff structure/organogram for the First Minister's Office: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles not names of individuals) for the First Minister's Office, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government. The pay grades for each staff member ...

FOI unclear 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200335616
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Staff structure/organogram for the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care office: FOI release

The staff structure/organogram (giving job titles not names of individuals) for the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care office, including both civil service and political staff, and (ii) the wider and complete political staff structure/organogram (special advisors) of the current Scottish Government. The pay g...

FOI unclear 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202200335641
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Costs of social media marketing and contracts: FOI release

How much has been spent on social media marketing, if possible broken down by which channels i.e. TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and any other similar platforms that have been used. Who has this money has gone to? For example, has it gone to companies, if so, which ones? And has it gone to individual “influencers...

FOI unclear 75 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-08
Reference
202300337969
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Impact assessments for ferry terminal works at Uig (Skye) and Tarbert (Harris): FOI release

Section 8 (1) of the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires that: "A relevant authority must prepare an island communities impact assessment in relation to a — (a) policy, (b) strategy, or (c) service, which, in the authority’s opinion, is likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly different ...

FOI unclear 55 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts s.8
Published
2023-12-07
Reference
202200314128
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Social Media Messaging Policy: FOI release

A copy of the Scottish Government's Social Media Messaging Policy, and a copy of all previous versions of the policy from January 2020 to present day.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-07
Reference
FOI/202300383047
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

EV charge points in Scotland: FOI release

The number of EV charge points are currently in Scotland broken down by Local Authority. The number of faults recorded this year broken down by Local Authority. The number of EV chargers currently out of order at the time of reply broken down by FOI.

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence contracts s.25(1) 6 attachments
Published
2023-12-07
Reference
202200314954
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Mobile messaging applications policy and guidance: FOI release

On 30th October 2023, the First Minister Humza Yousaf was getting asked about people deleting whatsapp messages and he told a news reporter that the Scottish Government “had a social media messaging policy which actually required us to routinely delete Whatsapp messages, that was the policy at the time”. Based on this...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-07
Reference
FOI/202300383064
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Policy and guidance on mobile messaging apps: FOI release

You asked for the first draft of this Mobile Messaging Apps policy. https://www.gov.scot/publications/mobile-messaging-apps-usage-and-policy-guidance/ Please also send me all subsequent drafts, including requests for changes or annotations from ministers or officials, which contributed to the final draft. Please als...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-07
Reference
FOI/202300383191
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Breaches of cross compliance regulations: EIR release

1. Please state how many breaches of the cross compliance regulations have occurred in the last five years for which you hold data (ie from 2017-18 to 2020-21). 2. For each breach, or case of non-compliance, please state the specific requirement breached e.g. SMR 6 or SMR 7. 3. For each SMR 7 breach, please state the...

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 8 working days correspondence spending s.11(2) s.34(1) s.20 10 attachments
Published
2023-12-07
Reference
202200308348
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Covid-19 Inquiry WhatsApp messages handover: FOI release

1. How many WhatsApp messages have, as of 26th October 2023, been handed over to the UK or Scottish Covid-19 inquiries? 2. How many WhatsApp messages have, as of 26th October 2023, yet to “go through the appropriate process” before (potentially) being handed over to the UK or Scottish Covid-19 inquiries?

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.25(1)
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
FOI/202300382615
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Northern Isles ferries berthing fees 2021-23: FOI release

How much Transport Scotland paid in berthing fees for the Northern Isles ferry service vessels in the the calendar years 2021, 2022 and 2023 to date, broken down into each port (Lerwick, Kirkwall, Scrabster, Stromness and Aberdeen).

FOI unclear 55 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence spending s.17(1)
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
202300347483
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Softcat hosting contract for Transport Scotland website: FOI release

As per my records, Softcat hosting contract has expired. I would like to know whether this contract is still valid or replaced by any other supplier. If all the information besides the contract dates are the same, I am happy to just receive an update on the contract dates Below, original FOI request for your referenc...

FOI unclear 50 score 14 working days correspondence contracts
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
202300342743
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Mobile messaging apps usage and policy guidance: FOI release

Speaking to the media on 30th October 2023, the First Minister said: “Remember, of course, we had a social media messaging policy which actually required us to routinely delete WhatsApp messages. That was the policy at the time.” Please provide the text of this policy, and a list of those (by name or by position) to ...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
FOI/202300382974
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Guidance on mobile messaging: FOI release

Please send me the guidance on mobile messaging referred to in this statement. https://x.com/lewismckenzie94/status/1719083462743740748?s=46

FOI unclear 50 score 19 working days correspondence
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
FOI/202300383020
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Government policy on social media messaging: FOI release

In an interview with LBC regarding the deletion of messages during the Covid pandemic, FM Humza Yousaf stated that: "we had a social media messaging policy which actually required us to routinely delete whatsapp messages." Please release the following under FOISA: Full and complete details of the policy (including th...

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence whatsapp
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
FOI/202300382914
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Mobile messaging apps – usage and policy guidance: FOI release

1. Between February 1, 2020 and April 1, 2020, any advice or guidance or correspondence on the use of instant messaging platforms in the context of remote working. 2. During the same time period, any correspondence on the topic of policies relating to remote working and record keeping, including any policy documents.

FOI unclear 50 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence whatsapp
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
FOI/202300382913
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with ministers or special advisers regarding instant messaging: FOI release

1. Between March 1, 2020 and May 1, 2021, any correspondence involving ministers or special advisers on the topic of instant messaging messages, including but not limited to the deletion of them.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
FOI/202300382848
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Current and previous versions of Information Management Policy: FOI release

The Scottish Government’s current Information Management Policy and all previous iterations of the policy dating back to 1 January 2020. For clarity, please provide the policy as it stood on 1 January 2020, as it currently stands at the present date and all other versions of the policy where any changes have been made ...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence meetings whatsapp s.17 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
FOI/202300382922
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Processes for CMAL drawing down capital allocations: FOI release

Please explain in detail the processes for CMAL drawing down capital allocations from the Scottish Government/Transport Scotland to pay contractors for the completion of agreed milestones relating to vessels 801 and 802; In particular, please confirm who is the accountable official within the Scottish Government or Tr...

FOI unclear 50 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
202200317086
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Policy on handling of Whatsapp messages: FOI release

A copy of any policy on how SMP's and Government employees should deal with Whatsapp messages and similar messaging services, from 1st January 2015 to 31st October 2023. Please could you indicate the author of any such policy, or under whose direction it was issued.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
FOI/202300383183
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence sent on the topic of Houlder Ltd: FOI release

Correspondence, including attachments, within or sent to/from the Scottish Government on the topic of Houlder Ltd between June 1, 2022 to date.

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
202200322963
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with Head of Oban High School: FOI release

How the Minister had got on following up with the head of Oban High School regarding whether they felt the timetable change (and the no breakfast issue) was a welfare issue?” If she had the meeting or correspondence with the head of Oban High School I look forward to seeing the outcome. Consider this a Freedom of info...

FOI unclear 75 score 61 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
202200329822
Directorate
Topic
Public sector