Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,864releases indexed
39,478attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,113partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-06-12newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,113 unclear 7,200 not held 3,069 released 1,537 already published 671 cost limit 607 clarification 349 withheld 241 transferred 77

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 4931 s.20 4280 s.34(1) 3589 s.39(2) 3481 s.30 2878 s.17(1) 2774 s.25(1) 2381 s.10(4) 1987 s.11(2) 1571 s.29(1) 1175 s.2 1158 s.3 908

Timeline

2026-06 1 2026-05 410 2026-04 312 2026-03 217 2026-02 589 2026-01 479 2025-12 177 2025-11 263

Directorate Profiles

Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate 1,279 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 967 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 923 releases · 31.0 avg days Learning Directorate 861 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 729 releases · 39.9 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 633 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
777 matching releases

Ferguson Marine and the Builders Refund Guarantee: EIR release

1) Any ministerial briefing sent to the First Minister, the then-Finance minister, the then-Infrastructure Minister, and the then Transport Minister on the lack of a full Builders Refund Guarantee connected to the 2015 award of the construction of hulls 801 and 802 to Ferguson Marine, sent or received in the calendar y...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 79 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.6(1) s.20 s.39(2) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-22
Reference
FOI/202200290861
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Homeworking Resources for Ministers and Special Advisers: FOI release

A breakdown of equipment and costs to support each minister and special adviser to work from home during the period March 2020 to the present.

FOI unclear 75 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-20
Reference
FOI/202200281557
Directorate
Corporate Operations Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Communications regarding crown consent provisions in Scottish legislation discussions: FOI Review

1) Copies of any internal Scottish government memos, briefing papers or emails concerning the question of changing the handling of crown consent in legislation and/or the way the crown consent provisions are communicated to MSPs, including but not exclusively to and from the Scottish government ministers and their spec...

FOI already published 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.29(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.25(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-20
Reference
FOI/202200278004 Review of 202200270508
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding the development of the Cambo Oil Field from 2016 to date: EIR release

Correspondence between Ministers of the Scottish Government and Members of the UK Parliament from the Scottish National Party and government special advisers regarding the development of the Cambo Oil Field from 2016 to date.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 44 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-20
Reference
FOI/202200272313
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Internal communications regarding SQA appeals: FOI release

All internal communications involving ministers, special advisers and/or learning directorate officials regarding or referring to the appeals system for 2021 SQA results. The time frame for this request is 1/3/2021 - 2/6/2021

FOI partially withheld 90 score 191 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-07-18
Reference
FOI/202100208812
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Internal correspondence mentioning For Women Scotland work: FOI Review

Further to my letter of 14 January 2022, I have now completed my review of Any internal correspondence among civil servants within the Children and Families Directorate, Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate, senior civil servants, ministers and special advisers which includes the name of the charity "ForWom...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 68 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2022-06-30
Reference
FOI/202200272543 Review of 202100248103
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Briefings regarding National Public Energy Agency: FOI release

Briefings from civil servants and special advisers given to Scottish Ministers from 7 May 2021 to June 2021 on a national energy company and from June 2021 to the date of request on the National Public Energy Agency.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.29 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-05-23
Reference
FOI/202200291449
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Conservative Party: FOI release

Internal correspondence between the press office and from the press office to special advisers and Scottish Ministers on the Conservative conference or the Conservatives generally during September or October 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2022-05-23
Reference
FOI/202200291454
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

State energy company correspondence: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence from August 2017 to 14 March 2022 among civil servants, special advisers and ministers (and outside organisations where appropriate) including emails and letters, on plans to set up a state energy company in Scotland.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.25(1) s.29 2 attachments
Published
2022-05-23
Reference
FOI/202200287837
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

Scottish National Investment Bank CEO resignation correspondence: FOI release

1. All correspondence between Scottish Government ministers, special advisers and civil servants relating to the resignation of Eilidh Mactaggart from the Scottish National Investment Bank between January 25 2022 and March 16 2022. 2. All correspondence between Scottish Government civil servants, special advisers and m...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-05-11
Reference
FOI/202200288213
Directorate
International Trade and Investment Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Money and tax, Public sector

Communications regarding lead teachers: FOI release

Copies of all communication involving the Scottish Government (ministers, advisers, learning directorate staff) regarding lead teachers (NB this includes attachments such as briefings, reports etc).

FOI already published 80 score 32 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.38(1) s.30 s.25 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-04-20
Reference
FOI/202200269303
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence regarding class contact hours for Scottish teachers: FOI release

All correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, WhatsApp, Signal or SMS messages, documents or otherwise) involving the Scottish Government (Ministers, Special Advisers and Civil Servants) regarding proposals to reduce the number of class contact hours for Scottish teachers from the maximu...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 36 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-04-07
Reference
FOI/202200286686
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence regarding establishing a freeport in Aberdeen: FOI release

Any correspondence (emails, typed or handwritten notes, letters, phone calls, minutes of meetings, documents or otherwise) on the topic of establishing a Freeport in Aberdeen, involving any of the following people: Scottish Government Ministers, special advisers or senior civil servants.

FOI unclear 75 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings 4 attachments
Published
2022-04-07
Reference
FOI/202200284622
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Economy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Scottish Information Commissioner appeal Decision Notice 083/2021: FOI Appeal

1. Any and all internal and external correspondence including emails, letters, WhatsApp messages, Signal messages, text messages relating to government business from officials, ministers, and special advisers and any other interested party relating to the consideration of the Scottish Information Commissioner appeal wh...

FOI unclear 80 score 35 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-03-23
Reference
FOI/202100242352 - Appeal
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Breakdown of minister and special adviser home working extra resources spend: FOI release

A breakdown of how much has been spent on providing each minister and special adviser with extra resources to work from home during the period March 2020 to the present.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-28
Reference
FOI/202200273977
Directorate
Corporate Operations Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Meetings with Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance: EIR release

Dates of meetings between Scottish Government Ministers, officials and special advisers and representatives of the Beyond Oil and Gas alliance and copies of any correspondence relating to the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance and Scotland's membership of it.

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 45 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
2022-02-22
Reference
FOI/202100254652
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

First Minister visit to Longannet power station demolition: 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 Scottish Power, or any other company or agency involved, on the First Minister's ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-17
Reference
FOI/202100262808
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

Correspondence between Teneo Restructuring Limited in 2021: FOI release

“Any correspondence between Teneo Restructuring Limited and its employees including emails, letters, memos, meetings, handouts, and attachments to emails, with civil servants in the legal directorate or justice directorate, special advisers, the Lord Advocate’s office, The First Minister, Deputy First Minister, and Jus...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-02-09
Reference
FOI/202100256538
Directorate
Legal Services (Solicitor to the Scottish Government)
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Internal correspondence mentioning For Women Scotland work: FOI release

Any internal correspondence among civil servants within the Children and Families Directorate, Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate, senior civil servants, ministers and special advisers which includes the name of the charity "ForWomen Scotland" or discusses the organisation's work, since the start of 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-25
Reference
FOI/202100248103
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Correspondence between SQA and Scottish Government regarding appeals process: FOI Release

All communication between the SQA and Scottish Government (ministers, special advisers, learning directorate officials) regarding / referring to the appeals system for 2021 results, the details of which have now been published on the SQA website: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/79049.html The time frame for this request is...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 141 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-24
Reference
FOI/202100208810
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Correspondence relating to deaths amongst care experience young people: FOI release

all correspondence - including emails, text, Whatsapp, Telegram, Signal, Messenger or other electronic message, as well as copies of any handwritten messages or minutes/notes from in-person, phone or video call discussions - between media officials, policy officials and special advisers related to the response to a med...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers meetings whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-17
Reference
FOI/202100252733
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the publication of FOI202100236654: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence - including emails, text, Whatsapp, Telegram, Signal, Messenger or other electronic message, as well as copies of any handwritten messages or minutes/notes from inperson, phone or video call discussions - between media officials, policy officials and special advisers related to the rel...

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers meetings whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-17
Reference
FOI/202100252670
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Staff members of Scottish Government diagnosed with Dyslexia: FOI release

How many of the Scottish Government’s Special Advisors and highest level staff have been diagnosed with dyslexia, or other neuro-diverse diagnoses?

FOI unclear 50 score 6 working days correspondence special advisers
Published
2021-12-20
Reference
FOI/202100255153
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and Deloitte: FOI release

1) Correspondence, including emails, letters, text messages, WhatsApp messages and internal memos sent or received or included via 'cc'ing' [named staff member], then a Senior Project and Policy Officer, to or from Deloitte or employees of Deloitte, between June 2017 and January 18, 2018, concerning changes, alteration...

FOI unclear 75 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2021-12-08
Reference
FOI/202100238731
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding LGB Alliance charity from 2021: FOI release

Any internal correspondence among civil servants within the Children and Families Directorate, Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate, senior civil servants, ministers and special advisers which includes the name of the charity "LGB Alliance" or discusses the charity's work, since the start of 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-12-08
Reference
FOI/202100248071
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector