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

Information pertaining to the Aviation Working Group: FOI release

1. The date, time, location, attendance list, minutes, notes, agendas, handouts, presentations or memos for any meeting of the aviation working group announced by then Transport minister Michael Matheson in February, 2021. 2. Any correspondence within the Scottish Government between ministers, ministerial offices, spe...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.17(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-10-07
Reference
FOI/202100231558
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communication regarding lawful bases for processing subject’s information: FOI review

Your request, reference 202100218162 I would like to narrow the scope to number 3 on my list; “please provide ALL communications, incl. records relating to communications, ie diary entires, notebook records etc., including but not limited to, agendas and minutes of meetings, minutes of telephone calls, agendas and minu...

FOI unclear 75 score 8 working days correspondence meetings whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2021-09-06
Reference
FOI/202100229207 review of 202100218162
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Communication between Kenny MacAskill MP and Neale Hanvey MP: FOI release

Any email/whatsapp communications or meetings between Kenny MacAskill MP and Neale Hanvey MP and Scottish Government Ministers from Feburary 27th 2021 to March 28th 2021.

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38 s.38(1)
Published
2021-08-26
Reference
FOI/202100224533
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Discussion held relating to First Minister attending British-Irish Council meeting: FOI release

Internal communications (email, WhatsApp, text or any other form of electronic communication, as well as handwritten notes and minutes of any in-person, video or telephone meetings) between civil servants, special advisers, ministers and health officials about the prospect of the first minister travelling to the June 2...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-07-13
Reference
FOI/202100212995
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence with Wildland Ltd: FOI release

I am writing to request all correspondence between Fergus Ewing, former Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and civil servants working with him, and Wildland Ltd. I am looking for copies of all letters, emails, minutes of meetings, presentations, reports, and messages via Whatsapp, Signal or similar from April 2019 unt...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-07-12
Reference
FOI/202100210699
Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Ministerial communications relating to public protest 13 May 2021: FOI review

I am interested in ministerial communications with other public bodies regarding the public protest around attempts by Home Office immigration officials to details two men in Pollokshields, Glasgow on May 13. Details: https://theferret.scot/men-freed-as-intimidating-immigration-raid-ends/. It has been reported that the...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 17 working days correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.28 s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-07-12
Reference
FOI/202100213963 review of 202100201852
Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, International, Public sector

Meeting with various house builders in the past two years: FOI release

Please can you detail any meetings in the last two years between members of the Scottish Government and CALA, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey, Barratt, Robertson Homes, Miller Homes, Homes for Scotland, Westpoint, Expresso Property and Artisan. Please can you provide any emails (including their attachments), text messages and...

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.25(1) s.12 6 attachments
Published
2021-07-01
Reference
FOI/202100208933
Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Housing, Public sector

Provision of laptops or tablets for school children: FOI review

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, texts or WhatsApp messages) on the subject of the introduction of the provision of laptops or tablets for school children. You would like this information from 20 January 2021 to 20 March 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-17
Reference
FOI/202100202932 review of 202100187590
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Ministerial communications relating to public protest 13 May 2021: FOI release

I am interested in ministerial communications with other public bodies regarding the public protest around attempts by Home Office immigration officials to details two men in Pollokshields, Glasgow on May 13. Details: https://theferret.scot/men-freed-as-intimidating-immigration-raid-ends/ It has been reported that the ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.28(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-16
Reference
FOI/202100201852
Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, International, Public sector

Correspondence with Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) relating to cyber-attack: FOI release

For all correspondence between Scottish Ministers and the SEPA senior management team that relates to the Christmas 2020 cyberattack. To include sms, WhatsApp, Signal and other messages, and briefings received by ministers, dated from the date the hack started to 31st March 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.35(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-16
Reference
FOI/202100202192
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications regarding Cellebrite forensic analysis tools: FOI release

“On April 21 a blog post was published by the CEO of mobile phone messaging app Signal: The blog called into question the security of Cellebrite forensic analysis tools. These tools are used by Police Scotland. https://signal.org/blog/cellebrite-vulnerabilities/. Please could you supply me with copies or records of all...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-15
Reference
FOI/202100202118
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Law and order, Public sector

Provision of laptops or tablets for school children: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, texts or WhatsApp messages) on the subject of the introduction of the provision of laptops or tablets for school children. I would like this information from 20 January 2021 to 20 March 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-06-02
Reference
FOI/202100187590
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affair referendum correspondence: FOI release

From 8 March 2021 to present: Copies of correspondence (emails, whatsapp messages, texts, letters, handwritten notes, minutes of calls, minutes of meetings and/or otherwise) to and/or from Mike Russell with any reference to the draft independence referendum bill published 22 March.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-05-27
Reference
FOI/202100186146
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Introduction of a national tutoring scheme internal communication: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including letters, emails, texts or WhatsApp messages) on the subject of the introduction of a national tutoring scheme for school pupils. I would like this information from 15 February 2021 to 29 March 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence briefings meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-20
Reference
FOI/202100187582
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding potential timing for independence referendum: FOI release

Any correspondence (emails, letters, whatsapp messages, texts, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls and/or otherwise) from/between/to civil servants and/or Special Advisers on the appropriate timing for an independence referendum to take place once the legislation for it would be passed in the next parliamentary term.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 28 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers meetings whatsapp s.29(1) s.30 s.25(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-05-20
Reference
FOI/202100187817
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications relating to Rangers Football Club: FOI release

You asked for information about communications and contact (including but not restricted to emails, minuted meetings, phone calls, text messages, and messanger apps such as but not restricted to WhatsApp) relating to the following: 1. Between the Scottish Government and Police Scotland between 1 February 2021 and 7 Mar...

FOI unclear 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.7 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-12
Reference
FOI/202100174014
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Communication relating to Homelessness Deaths 2019 publication: FOI release

Copies of correspondence (email, notes, memos, handwritten notes, text messages, whatsapp messages, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls and/or otherwise) between civil servants and/or Special Advisers and/or Housing Minister Kevin Stewart regarding the National Records of Scotland publication ‘Homelessness Deaths 201...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2021-05-05
Reference
FOI/202100163933
Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Communications relating to Rangers Football club celebrations: FOI release

Comments made by Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham in the aftermath of the Rangers FC title-winning celebrations. I wish to request copies of all correspondence which may have taken place between Police Scotland corporate communications and the Scottish Government in this regard - emails, SMS, WhatsApp and phone re...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 12 working days correspondence whatsapp s.38 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-22
Reference
FOI/202100179685
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Internal communications relating to expansion of free school meals: FOI review

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, text or WhatsApp messages, typed or handwritten notes) on the subject of the policy of the expansion of free school meal provision for primary school pupils from 2022. I would like this information from 20 October 2020 to 27 November 2020. I understand ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 39 working days over deadline correspondence briefings whatsapp s.29(1)A s.29(1) s.36(1) s.27(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-15
Reference
FOI/202100135539 review of 202000118815
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education, Public sector

Communications concerning exams for Higher and Advanced Higher SQA National Qualifications: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications (including emails, letters, text or WhatsApp messages, phone calls) concerning exams for Higher and Advanced Higher SQA National Qualifications in the academic year 2020-21. I would like this information from 17 November 2020 to 09 December 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 58 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-04-15
Reference
FOI/202000121887
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Information relating to backdating business support grants: FOI release

1. Any correspondence (emails, letters, text messages, WhatsApp messages, phone calls or otherwise) between Ministers (including the First Minister), Special Advisors and civil servants in the Scottish Government Press Office since 1 September 2020 concerning proposals to backdate the value of business support grants (...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-04-01
Reference
FOI/202000129444
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Money and tax, Public sector

Published homelessness statistics August 2020 communication: FOI release

Correspondence (emails, letters, memos, minutes of meetings, minutes of calls, whatsapp messages, texts and/or otherwise) between civil servants, special advisors and/or Kevin Stewart regarding the homelessness statistics published in August 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.25(1) s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-31
Reference
FOI/202000126243
Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Margaret Ferrier between September and October 2020: FOI release

Any communications, correspondence, be it email, text message, whatsapp or of any kind available relating to Margaret Ferrier MP between the Scottish Government Ministers/Special Advisors and people external to the Scottish Government between September 14th and October 14th.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38(1) s.25 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-26
Reference
FOI/202000118037
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Culchunaig Farmhouse planning application: EIR release

Information regarding planning application 18/04194/FUL - Culchunaig Farmhouse, Westhill Inverness, you also asked specific questions regarding the handling of the same case. 1. Please inform me of the name of the signatory of the decision letter of 17 November in relation to the above aqpplication and an organogram sh...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings whatsapp s.2 s.6 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-22
Reference
FOI/202000114543
Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Communication relating to funding for outdoor education centres: FOI release

Any communications (including letters, emails, text or Whatsapp messages or phone calls) between civil servants and Ministers on the subject of funding for outdoor education centres. I would like this information from 20 August 2020 to 23 October 2020.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.38 s.33 s.29 s.38(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-03-18
Reference
FOI/202000113897
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Money and tax, Public sector