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

Spending Review 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 the Scottish Government and Police Scotland regarding the Scottish Government’s Resource Spending Review. Please limit the dates o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-05
Reference
202200303669
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information on Paul Lowe leaving his role as Chief Executive of NRS: FOI release

When did the Scottish Government find out that Paul Lowe was leaving his role as chief executive of NRS and what were the reasons given for his departure? Will he receive a pay-off/redundancy package/any sort of financial benefit for leaving his role? If so, how much money will he get? All correspondence (including ema...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-01
Reference
202300347942
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Press conference at Bute House about Supreme Court ruling: FOI release

All correspondence between ministers, special advisers and civil servants regarding the prospect of holding a press conference at Bute House on 23/11/22 about the Supreme Court ruling. This should include emails, text, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Messenger or other electronic communications, and handwritten notes.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.36(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200332116
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

£20m independence fund: FOI release

What is the Scottish Government now doing with its £20m independence fund due to the Supreme Court ruling? If they are using it for independence how are you justifying it considering the Supreme Court ruled the government cannot legally legislate for a referendum? Any correspondence (including emails, WhatsApps) betwee...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-28
Reference
202200331939
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Legal advice on independence referendum: FOI release

The amount spent on legal advice regarding the Scottish Government’s prospectus for an independent Scotland between 07 September 2021 and the date of response to this inquiry? Any correspondence (including emails, attachments, typed or handwritten notes, letters, notes/records of phone calls, minutes of meetings, brief...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17 s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-27
Reference
202200287065
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Queries concerning the nationalisation of ScotRail: FOI release

Can the Scottish government provide details of any correspondence (meetings, emails, text messages, WhatsApp messages, letters) between Scotrail/Abellio, Transport Scotland and Government Ministers relating to the Government takeover of Scotrail services? Can you provide details of any correspondence between Scotrail/A...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings contracts spending s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.20
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
202200288636
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

10-year economic strategy communications: FOI release

All communications (emails, letters, texts, WhatsApp messages, phone calls, online meetings, in-person meetings) which took place in January, February or March 2022 between the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy, the Minister for Public Finance, Planning, and Community Wealth, First Minister, Officials working t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38 s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-23
Reference
202200308856
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Provision for or appointment of speechwriters for the First Minister: FOI release

All correspondence about the provision or appointment of speechwriters for the First Minister which has taken place between the Permanent Secretary and the following: Liz Lloyd, political adviser to the First Minister Julie Grant, head of news at the Scottish Government Dominic Munro, director of strategy at the Scott...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-22
Reference
202200333883
Directorate
Strategy 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

Glasgow’s plan to enforce a Low Emission Zone (LEZ): FOI release

All information held by the Scottish Government relating to Glasgow’s plan to enforce a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) for most vehicles. Including any and all internal and external communication and documents for the entire week commencing Monday 29 May. All information about the plan for minister Mairi McAllan to attend an ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2023-11-21
Reference
202300359413
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

SQA exam results for 2021: FOI release

Any correspondence including but not limited to emails, letters, texts, WhatsApp messages or internal messaging apps such as Gchat and details of meetings including agendas, minutes, notes, handouts, attendance lists, location, and purpose, on the topic of the SQA exam results for 2021 to and from the Scottish Governme...

FOI already published 80 score 471 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-17
Reference
202100230956
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Mermaids charity: 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) regarding the Mermaids Charity from 25 September 2022 onwards.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 40 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.20 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-16
Reference
202200329739
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance: EIR release

All correspondence from the Scottish Government regarding the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance – including emails, minutes, briefing documents, WhatsApp messages and text messages. As the information you have requested is 'environmental information' for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.6(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-11-12
Reference
202300337341
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Minister for Trade and Tom Hunter Foundation: FOI release

All correspondence between Ivan McKee, Minister for Trade, Innovation and his civil servants, and Tom Hunter of the Hunter Foundation. I am looking for copies of all letters, emails, minutes of meetings, presentations, reports, and messages via Whatsapp, Signal or similar from April 2019 until May 2021.

FOI not held 70 score 332 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-10
Reference
202100210817
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister face covering incident - Police Scotland correspondence: FOI release

The method through which police officers spoke ‘to the First Minister to remind her of the importance of wearing a face covering when there is a legal requirement to do so’ as per Police Scotland’s statement on 18 April 2022. All correspondence (including WhatsApps, phone calls, text messages, emails and meetings) betw...

FOI unclear 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2023-11-09
Reference
202200295176
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

GP funding correspondence: FOI release

Any correspondence (including emails, letters, phone calls, handwritten notes, WhatsApp messages or any other documents) between the BMA Scotland/BMA Scottish general practitioners committee and/or Scottish Government ministers and/or special advisers regarding Global sum payments. Information should include but not be...

FOI unclear 50 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300360649
Directorate
Primary Care Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Preparation of First Minister resignation: FOI release

How much has it cost the Scottish Government to move Nicola Sturgeon and her belongings out of Bute House in anticipation of the new First Minister moving in? Breakdown of these costs. Supply Nicola Sturgeon's diary of events in March up until she leaves her role as First Minister. Any correspondence (including emails,...

FOI cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending whatsapp s.12
Published
2023-11-06
Reference
202300346137
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Future use of Asulam, marketed as Asulox, for the control of bracken: EIR release

All documents, emails, correspondence which were produced between the dates of the 1st of January 2022 to 27th January 2023 relating to the future use of Asulam, marketed as Asulox, for the control of bracken, specifically from 2022 onwards. In addition, you also asked for, all documents, emails, correspondence which ...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending whatsapp s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)
Published
2023-11-03
Reference
202300340523
Directorate
Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Transport Minister and Orkney Islands: FOI release

How many times has the Scottish Government's Transport minister met with Orkney Islands council in relation to the ferries taskforce over the last 12 months? Dates of these meetings? Could you supply minutes of these meetings and who attended them? If not, why not and when will they be published? When is the next sched...

FOI cost limit 45 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.12
Published
2023-11-03
Reference
202300342057
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Minister for Housing and Glasgow City Council: FOI release

You asked for all correspondence* between the Paul McLennan and his civil services, and representatives and councillors from Glasgow City Council between March 2023 when the minister took up his post and the present date (25 July 23). I am specifically looking for all correspondence between the minister and his departm...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 12 attachments
Published
2023-11-02
Reference
FOI/202300368557
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Humza Yousaf engagement with Martin Compston: FOI release

Please provide the content of all communication between Humza Yousaf and/or his officials as health or justice secretary and Martin Compston during 2021 that mentions Emily Hampshire and/or the filming of The Rig television programme. This should include email, text, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, Messenger or other elect...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence meetings whatsapp s.38(1)
Published
2023-10-31
Reference
202300349208
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Minutes of meetings Humza Yousaf and Sir Peter Mathieson: FOI Release

1. Minutes from the meeting Humza Yousaf held with Sir Peter Mathieson, Edinburgh University principal in May. 2. All correspondence about or from Martin Compston received or sent by the Scottish Government between May 2022 and the date of this FOI. 3. All correspondence about or from Mick Lynch received or sent by the...

FOI not held 70 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) s.12 s.17(1) 6 attachments
Published
2023-10-25
Reference
FOI/202300367990
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

Income tax budget: FOI release

Has the Scottish Government done any modelling on behavioural change as a result of the income tax rises voted through at Holyrood? If so can it be supplied and if not, an explanation why not? What were the options discussed by ministers for changing the income tax for the 2023 budgets? All correspondence (including em...

FOI not held 70 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.30 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-10-24
Reference
202300342976
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Lorna Slater Rum trip: FOI release

Could you please provide: The total cost to charter the boat to and from the island. All correspondence and communication between Ms Slater (including her government officials) relating to the organisation of the trip. Please include information from emails, whatsapp and text messages, minutes of phone calls and meet...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.38 s.33(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1) 10 attachments
Published
2023-10-24
Reference
202300357069
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector