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
1,607 matching releases

Policy on Deletion of Messages on Apps during Covid-19: FOI release

1. Provide full and transparent details on 'the government policy used to permit the deliberate deletion of public data, and evidence, from Whatsapp during COVID" expressed by Anas Sarwar during First Ministers Questions - 20th November 2025 in Hollyrood. First Minister John Swinney's response was, and I quote: "...To...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers contracts whatsapp s.2 s.17(1)
Published
2026-02-23
Reference
FOI/202500495382
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Exceptional Circumstances guidance issued to Scottish Local Authorities: FOI release

1. Whether the Scottish Government provided guidance and/or advice to Scottish Local Authorities as to the definition of "Exceptional Circumstances" (reference SSI 2021 No. 289 Clause 5B) and/or under what circumstances Exceptional Circumstances should be considered by Scottish Local Authorities. 2. Copies of any/all ...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2 s.5B s.19 s.3 s.20 s.72 s.4A s.6
Published
2026-02-23
Reference
FOI/202500496382
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Four-day teaching week or compressed school week briefing materials: FOI release

All any briefing notes, submissions, presentations, ministerial updates, or internal papers produced since 1 January 2022 which relate to a four-day teaching week or compressed school week.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500494933
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

First Minister's taxation claim evidence and correspondence: FOI release

1. What evidence the Scottish Government has to substantiate the claim made by the First Minister on 13 November 2025 that: ‘we’ve maintained our manifesto commitments in relation to taxation’. 2. All correspondence between the First Minister, Senior Civil Servants and Special Advisers regarding this claim since 13 No...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.17(1)
Published
2026-02-18
Reference
FOI/202500494899
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Minutes from maternity & neonatal taskforce meetings: FOI release

You asked for “the minutes of the Maternity & Neonatal taskforce meetings."

FOI unclear 55 score 5 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1)
Published
2026-02-17
Reference
FOI/202500497734
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Correspondence between the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and a former Optometry Advisor to the Scottish Government: FOI Release

Detail regarding a meeting held with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray, on 4 November 2025. On 4 November 2025, a meeting was held between the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, and Donald Cameron (previously optometry advisor to the Scottish Government). Could you please describe:...

FOI unclear 50 score 7 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2026-02-17
Reference
FOI/202500497125
Directorate
Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Planned review of Caithness Maternity Services: FOI release

“the details of the planned review of Caithness maternity services which has been publicly announced by the Health Minister Neil Gray.”

FOI unclear 55 score 13 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.17(1)
Published
2026-02-17
Reference
FOI/202500496115
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Eligibility for the 2025 winter COVID-19 programme decision: FOI release

Who made the decision to change the eligibility for the 2025 winter COVID-19 programme?

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500496878
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

First Minister’s artwork query: FOI release

The total cost involved in selecting, moving, removing, and installing artwork in the First Minister’s office in the Scottish Parliament and St Andrew’s House since 6 May 2024.

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500494343
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Number of working days Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has spent in Scotland: FOI release

So far this month (November 2025) and up to the date of this FOI, could you supply me with how many working days Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture has spent in Scotland and how many days he has spent outwith Scotland on government business.

FOI unclear 50 score 11 working days correspondence ministers
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500496304
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Details of dinner at Bute House with the Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre: FOI release

For the dinner with Alan Cumming, artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre on 17/2/25, please provide details of who was in attendance, the full menu provided, and an itemised breakdown of the £615.55 costs, including all alcohol consumed.

FOI unclear 75 score 5 working days correspondence ministers spending 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500494495
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Scottish Agricultural Wages Board employees suspended on full pay: FOI release

1. In each year since 2020-21, including the current year to date, how many employees at this public body have been suspended with full pay? Where an employee’s suspension covers multiple financial years, please only include the year where they were initially suspended. 2. In relation to Q1, what is the respective sal...

FOI unclear 50 score 8 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500493939
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs staff corporate travel: FOI release

For each of the following staff within the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs’ Private Office: Private Secretary (C1); Deputy Private Secretary (B3); Deputy Private Secretary (B1); Assistant Private Secretary; Any A4 officials supporting the Cabinet Secretary; and The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home...

FOI unclear 50 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500495050
Directorate
Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Use of large language models and ChatGPT in the public sector: FOI release

You asked for ”data held by Scottish Ministers discussing advice to any part of the public sector concerning policy on the use of Generative AI; LLMs/AI, ChatGPT, since November 2022."

FOI unclear 50 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500496787
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Disclosure Scotland Review Process: FOI release

When level two Disclosure cases have conviction requiring review, how long does this process take. I require an average time frame and longest and shortest periods from last 3 months. How many reviews, at level 2 , were requested in last 3 months. What percentage of those reviews were successful in having disclosed c...

FOI unclear 55 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.2 s.3
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500497478
Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Strengthening Communities Programme (SCP) funding: FOI release

The disclosure of recorded information relating to the Strengthening Communities Programme (SCP) funding, specifically concerning the 2025/26 allocation announcement: 1. Organisations' Extension Status and Management Please provide a record, preferably in an electronic or spreadsheet format (CSV/Excel), containing th...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.2 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500489972
Directorate
Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Public sector

Events at Bute House costs: FOI release

In your response for FOI/202500475367 you state these are the incurred catering costs. Can you please provide all of the costs for the hosting of the event including all payment staff in attendance for serving, clearing and preparation of the rooms, planning, security, drivers, sending invitations, transport where prov...

FOI unclear 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1)
Published
2026-02-11
Reference
FOI/202500494251
Directorate
Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Scottish Agricultural Wages Board Employees query: FOI release

You asked for In each year since 2020-21, including the current year to date, how many staff at this organisation have a home address based in England? Please break this down by pay banding if possible.

FOI unclear 50 score 13 working days correspondence ministers spending
Published
2026-02-11
Reference
FOI/202500493225
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, Public sector

Written Authorities information: FOI release

You asked 'On how many occasions has written authority been sought from a minister under section 15(8) of Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 by an accountable officer in any part of the Scottish administration, since 3 November 2021. In each case, please provide: the relevant minister the date it w...

FOI unclear 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.15(8) s.25(1)
Published
2026-02-11
Reference
FOI/202500492484
Directorate
Financial Management Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Briefing for Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity regarding Ministerial Statement on the Wildfire Summit: EIR release

1. Please can you share any briefing provided to Jim Fairlie ahead of the Ministerial Statement on the Wildfire Summit on 11 November 2025. 2. Please can you share any correspondence relating to that Ministerial Statement sent to or from Jim Fairlie.

FOI/EIR unclear 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-10
Reference
FOI/202500493245
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice awareness of plans to accommodate asylum seekers: FOI release

The date on which Shirley-Anne Somerville first became aware that the Home Office intended to proceed with the plan to accommodate people seeking asylum in Cameron Barracks in Inverness.

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings
Published
2026-02-09
Reference
FOI/202500492479
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Details of the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy's trip to COP30: FOI release

1. Total Cost: The final total expenditure for the Cabinet Secretary’s trip to COP30. 2. Itemised Breakdown: A breakdown of these costs into the following categories: (a) Travel (including flights, internal transfers, and any carbon offsetting costs); (b) Accommodation; (c) Subsistence; (d) Any other associated costs...

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending
Published
2026-02-04
Reference
FOI/202500498535
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, International, Public sector