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
540 matching releases

Correspondence regarding Chair of Ferguson Marine: FOI release

1. A copy of any meeting minutes, external correspondence, read out of phone calls or any other documentation which relate to the Cabinet Secretary’s discussions with the Board of Ferguson Marine about Mr Tydeman’s performance and position as Chief Executive on 28th February. Please also include any internal correspond...

FOI not held 70 score 37 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.17(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-07-10
Reference
FOI/202400406714
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
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

Rural Support Draft Plan: EIR release

1. Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between Scottish Government Officials within the Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate regarding a draft Rural Support Plan. Information should include but not be limited to a detailed timelin...

FOI/EIR already published 55 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.2 s.27T s.3
Published
2024-06-17
Reference
EIR/202400406979
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Farming and rural, 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

Communications regarding Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMA): EIR release

“Please provide any communications which relate to decision making around the scrapping of Highly Protected Marine Areas, which was first announced in June 2023, and officially confirmed by the government in November. Please ensure all types of communications are included – including Whatsapp – and please share any at...

FOI/EIR already published 80 score 45 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.6(1) s.9 4 attachments
Published
2024-05-21
Reference
FOI/202300387073
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, 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

Freedom of Information request statistics: FOI release

1. Over the past five years how many FoI requests have been submitted? Please can I have this broken down by year? (So for the years of 2019, 20, 21, 22, 23. If financial years are used, please may I have the data for this financial year to the date this has been submitted.) 2. Over the past five years how many FoI re...

FOI/EIR not held 45 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp s.20 s.17(1)
Published
2024-04-10
Reference
FOI/202400397701
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
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

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care communications during December 2022 - January 2023: FOI release

Any and all communications (including WhatsApps +private emails about government business) from Michael Matheson during December 2022 and January 2023. Any documents relating to the decision to pay for Michael Matheson's iPad bill from the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Any documents relating to the decision-ma...

FOI not held 70 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers spending whatsapp s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-03-07
Reference
FOI/202300384476
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Amount of records destroyed in accordance with Record Management Policy from 2019 - date: FOI release

How many records the Scottish Government have destroyed in accordance with Record Management Policy in 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and so far in 2023-24. Please detail whether these records included emails, WhatsApps, minutes of Scottish Government meetings etc and any other information that is recorded about th...

FOI unclear 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.3 2 attachments
Published
2024-03-05
Reference
FOI/202300384324
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

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

Scottish Covid Inquiry cost: FOI release

1. How much money has the Scottish Covid Inquiry cost so far, with a breakdown of these costs? 2. How much of the £10m Long Covid fund introduced by the Scottish Government has been spent and a breakdown of where it has been spent? 3. How many of Humza Yousaf's cabinet have WhatsApp downloaded on their government iss...

FOI cost limit 70 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings spending whatsapp s.17(1) s.12 4 attachments
Published
2024-02-13
Reference
FOI/202400392301
Directorate
Health and Social Care Finance Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Various questions regarding COVID-19: FoI release

1. How many of Humza Yousaf's cabinet use their personal emails for government business? List of who does. 2. What was the final outcome of Ruth Charteris investigating into missing WhatsApps as referenced here: https://news.sky.com/story/scotlands-first-minister-humza-yousaf-to-fully-investigate-concerns-messages-not-...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending whatsapp s.2 s.17(1) s.3 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-02-09
Reference
FOI/202400392573
Directorate
Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Health and social care, Public safety and emergencies, +1 more … Public sector

Income tax in ministerial correspondence February and March 2022: FOI release

Any correspondence received by Cabinet Secretary Kate Forbes MSP, Minister Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister Ivan McKee MSP, Minister Tom Arthur MSP regarding ‘income tax’ and the ‘reduction in income tax’ between 28 February 2022 and 22 March 2022 including, emails, Whatsapp messages and meeting minutes. Any corresponden...

FOI already published 80 score 285 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.28(1) 4 attachments
Published
2024-02-07
Reference
202200297569
Directorate
Tax 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

Policy on the retention of WhatsApp messages: FOI release

The Scottish Government’s policy on the retention of WhatsApp messages in its records management system. The Scottish Government’s policy on whether the term “correspondence” in a Freedom of Information request is taken to include WhatsApp messages. The number of WhatsApp messages retained by the Scottish Government’s ...

FOI cost limit 45 score 5 working days correspondence spending whatsapp s.12
Published
2024-02-02
Reference
202300348653
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Nicola Sturgeon and Zero Tolerance: FOI release

Question 1. All correspondence (including Whatsapp, emails, texts) between Nicola Sturgeon, her office, her special advisers, civil servants and the Zero Tolerance charity over the past year, including about her invite to their anniversary event. Question 2: Who invited Nicola Sturgeon to speak at their anniversary ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp s.12 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-01-31
Reference
202200332895
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Public sector