Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,863releases indexed
39,476attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,112partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-05-20newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,112 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

Timeline

2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263 2025-10 217

Directorate Profiles

Clear
777 matching releases

Correspondence on Sustainable Growth Commission report informing contents of Building a New Scotland publication: FOI release

Please provide all Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) correspondence and documents discussing how the SNP’s Sustainable Growth Commission report (published in 2018) would inform the contents of Building a New Scotland - A stronger economy with independence – published by the...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.29(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-02-07
Reference
FOI/202200333877
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Future Offshore Wind Scenarios : EIR release

All internal Scottish Government discussion of the FOWS study (including between Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) from 1st April 2022 – date and all Scottish Government correspondence with external parties discussing the FOWS study, from 1st April 2022 - date.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 36 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2023-01-30
Reference
FOI/202200332791
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister's August 2022 Copenhagen visit: FOI release

The following information related to the First Minister’s August 2022 visit to Copenhagen: 1) How much did Nicola Sturgeon's trip to Copenhagen cost and breakdown of these costs? 2) Itinerary of what Ms Sturgeon did in Copenhagen, including her mode of transport and where she stayed and costs of this. 3) Briefing notes...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.3 s.27(1) s.4 2 attachments
Published
2023-01-25
Reference
FOI/202200317683
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Ministerial briefings on Audit Scotland report into ferry hulls 801 and 802 construction: FOI release

1) Any ministerial briefings on the subject of Audit Scotland's report into the construction of island ferries hulls 801 and 802 between March 1 and July 1, 2022. 2) Any correspondence between ministers, special advisers, senior civil servants - including WhatsApp and other instant messaging apps - on how the handle th...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.33(1) s.38(1) s.30 10 attachments
Published
2023-01-11
Reference
FOI/202200324642
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Scotland’s share of Europe’s potential offshore wind resource: EIR release

All internal Scottish Government discussion (including between Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) relating to the question of Scotland’s share of Europe’s potential offshore wind resource, restricting the search to dates between 6th May 2021 and 20th October 2022. You also indicated how to narrow down you...

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 30 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-01-09
Reference
FOI/202200325962
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Press officers and special advisors: FOI release

1. How many press officers and special advisers are currently (date of this FOI) employed by the Scottish Government? Breakdown of both categories. 2. How many of both categories were employed in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021? 3. How many special advisers does Nicola Sturgeon have? How many does each minister have? How much a...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.2 s.6 s.25(1) s.27(1)
Published
2022-11-17
Reference
FOI/202200325260
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Nicola Sturgeon and Council meetings: FOI release

1. 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), COSLA, and unions during the council strikes between August 18 and when a deal wa...

FOI unclear 75 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-31
Reference
FOI/202200318868
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Visit of Michelle O'Neill to Bute House and meeting with First Minister: FOI release

On May 20 this year, Michelle O'Neill MLA visited the First Minister at Bute House. https://www.gov.scot/news/first-minister-meets-michelle-oneill-mla/ Please supply all items of information generated by the First Minister, her officials and special advisers in relation to the arranging of this meeting, its conduct and...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-19
Reference
FOI/202200312323
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Internal correspondence request: FOI release

Copies of all internal Scottish Government email correspondence (including Marine Scotland, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) discussing the responses to these two previous FOI requests: FOI/202100132049 and FOI/202200292407

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-10-05
Reference
202200313781
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence regarding Orbital Energy: FOI release

Any correspondence from Lorna Slater or her ministerial office or any special advisers on the topic of Orbital Energy from the date she became a minister to date.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-30
Reference
FOI/202200311896
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) equality practices agreement: FOI release

The EHRC has today announced that the SQA has signed an agreement to improve its equality practices. Under FOISA, please release any material held by the Scottish Government (specifically ministers, the learning directorate, special advisers and media/press office staff) regarding this agreement and the SQA’s signing o...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 228 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-30
Reference
FOI/202100244075
Directorate
Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence with Lord Advocate regarding the Supreme Court: FOI release

1) Any correspondence, including meetings, notes, memos, agendas, ministerial briefings and minutes, between the Scottish Government and the office of the Lord Advocate on the topic of the Lord Advocate's reference to the Supreme Court between January 1, 2022 and June 28, 2022. This should include any emails, letters, ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-22
Reference
FOI/202200312193
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Nicola Sturgeon St Andrews trip: 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 The PGA Tour/European Tour/The Open or any other company or agency involved about...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.33(2) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-15
Reference
FOI/202200311419
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and employees of the Landfall Strategy Group: FOI release

All correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) and employees of Landfall Strategy Group. Please restrict the search to the period 1st September 2016 - 20th May 2022.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1)
Published
2022-08-10
Reference
FOI/202200301656
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communication regarding the reform of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Education Scotland: FOI release

"All communications between ministers and/or special advisers and/or PR/comms staff” and that the request “related to internal communications regarding the recently published report by Professor Ken Muir into the reform of the SQA and Education Scotland”. You noted that the request “would include attachments to relevan...

FOI clarification 55 score 26 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.29(1)
Published
2022-08-10
Reference
FOI/202200300655
Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Briefing document re class contact time reduction: FOI response

For information in relation to a briefing document contained in a previous request (Our ref: 202200275182). With regard to that information, you requested: I would like to request that all information in this briefing document be released to me, along with any other associated materials such as appendices etc I would ...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.14(2) s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2022-08-10
Reference
FOI/202200301612
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence between the Scottish Government and Professor Mark Blyth between January 2020 and June 2022: FOI release

Copies of all email correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil servants, and Special Advisers) and Professor Mark Blyth, Director of the William R. Rhodes Centre for International Economics and Finance at Brown University. Please restrict the search to dates between 1st January 2020 and ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.29(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2022-08-10
Reference
FOI/202200303677
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children: FOI release

Any communication between the Scottish Government (Ministers, Special Advisers, Learning Directorate staff, Education Reform Directorate staff, Communications staff) and any representatives of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children.

FOI released 95 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers 2 attachments
Published
2022-08-05
Reference
FOI/202200305546
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with Professor Sir John Kay: FOI release

Email correspondence between the Scottish Government (including Ministers, Civil Servants, and Special Advisers) and Professor Sir John Kay between 1st January 2021 and 8th June 2022.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2022-08-05
Reference
FOI/202200304795
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Questions regarding work on "Building a New Scotland" document: FOI release

1. How many civil servants worked on these documents and for how long and what the total cost of this was? 2. How many special advisers worked on these papers and what exactly their role was. I would also like to know if any of the special advisers have authority over civil servants. 3. Has the advice of the Permanen...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.3 s.17(1)
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202200306418
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Information regarding the implementation of Covid-19 passports: FOI Review

a) ‘Any scientific, medical, immunological or epidemiological evidence provided to Scottish Ministers that underpins or supports their decision to require vaccine passports for events consisting of more than 10,000 people at open air events such as football matches;’ b) ‘Advice/recommendations on how such a scheme woul...

FOI already published 80 score 76 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.12 s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.28(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100255294 Review of 202100240234
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Internal communications regarding 2022 school examinations: FOI release

The Scottish Government has today confirmed that exams will take place in 2022 (if safe to do so) - https://www.gov.scot/news/national-qualifications-2022/. Please release any internal communication between the Scottish government members and staff (first minister, education secretary, special advisers, learning direct...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 234 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100231959
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding 2022 school examinations: FOI release

The Scottish Government has today confirmed that exams will take place in 2022 (if safe to do so) - https://www.gov.scot/news/national-qualifications-2022/. Please release details of any meetings (dates, attendees, whether it was in person/online/telephone) and associated documents (emails, minutes, briefing documents,...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 239 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202100231963
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Communications with Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) regarding exam support materials: FOI release

All communication between the Scottish Government (specifically ministers, special advisers, communications/PR staff and staff from the learning directorate) and the SQA regarding or relating to the exam support materials. The time frame for this request is 1 Jan 2022 to present.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 85 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-27
Reference
FOI/202200290542
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Homes for Scotland communications about energy efficiency standards in buildings: FOI release

The Scottish Government has been consulting on energy efficiency standards in buildings. Homes for Scotland are actively lobbying MSPs on this issue and therefore I would be grateful if you could send me all records held by the Scottish Government of communications between ministers, special advisers or senior civil se...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.6 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-26
Reference
FOI/202200278380
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector