Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

16,099releases indexed
25,578attachments found
29.9avg calendar days
5,944partially withheld
2020-11-09oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 5,944 unclear 5,386 not held 2,303 released 996 already published 536 cost limit 470 clarification 234 withheld 178 transferred 52

Top Exemptions

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

Clear
577 matching releases

Habitats Regulations inquires: EIR release

1. “Internal correspondence of any sort (including WhatsApp and text messages) between Special Advisers, Scottish Ministers and Scottish Government (and agency) officials on the political risks associated with the Habitats Regulations provisions of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, from 1st January 2025 to prese...

FOI/EIR cost limit 45 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4)
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
EIR/202500497206
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Scottish Government spend report: FOI release

Could you please also request the information or interactions showing why and when the reports were halted and for what reason and what reason the Spads gave for not reviewing prior to publication. Also to see what the previous ublication process was could you please share copies of emails which were sent out to the SP...

FOI unclear 75 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers briefings spending 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500489104
Directorate
Financial Management Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Formal complaints made about the behaviour of Special Advisers: FOI Review

Original request: 202500489885 1. The total number of formal complaints made about the behaviour of Special Advisers, broken down by year 2. For each complaint: The nature/category of the complaint (e.g. bullying, harassment, unprofessional behaviour, etc.). The outcome of the complaint (e.g. upheld, partially uphel...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-16
Reference
FOI/202500489885 review of 202500485300
Directorate
People Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Oil and gas industry documentation: EIR release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including minutes/notes from meetings, correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings and analysis, about job losses in the oil and gas industry, from the last month? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Gove...

FOI/EIR cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.20 s.39(2) s.6(1) s.10(4) s.10(5) s.11(2) s.34(1) s.10 s.7 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-11
Reference
EIR/202500493600
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Scottish Public Pensions Agency - Internal guidance for the Teachers Pension Scheme: FOI release

I am writing to request be supplied with a copy of certain SPPA Teachers Pension Scheme Internal Guidance documents. You should consider this request as a freedom of information request in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. I am requesting copies of: Internal Guidance document...

FOI unclear 80 score 20 working days correspondence spending s.20 s.2 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-11
Reference
FOI/202500493752
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Details of First Minister's meeting with the Leader of Plaid Cymru: FOI release

- Any costs involved in the First Minister hosting Rhun ap Iorwerth at Bute House in October 2025. For example, catering costs, and any other costs incurred. - A list of the people who attended the First Minister’s meeting with Rhun ap Iorwerth at Bute House in October 2025. - Any correspondence sent or received by t...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.17(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-11
Reference
FOI/202500493831
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs & Culture meeting with former chair of Historic Environment Scotland (HES): FOI release

You asked for “Did Kenneth Hogg pass on this invitation to Angus Robertson? If so, on what date was it passed on? And how was it passed on? Please also provide all correspondence, by email or direct messaging application, in which the above referenced email was forwarded, quoted, or responded to, by Scottish Governmen...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.36(2) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-10
Reference
FOI/202500492731
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Correspondence in relation to the First Ministers statement regarding taxpayers in Scotland: FOI release

1. All correspondence between Scottish Government officials and/or Scottish Ministers/Special Advisers relating to the claim that over half of taxpayers in Scotland pay less tax in Scotland than if they lived elsewhere in the United Kingdom since 1 October 2025. This should include emails, letters, instant messages, br...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.30 s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-10
Reference
FOI/202500488622
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Communications regarding members of the Scottish Parliament: FOI Review

Original request 202500486016 1) Any communications - including texts, WhatsApps, emails, Teams messages, or any other sort of written communications - from Wednesday September 17 to Wednesday September 24 on the topic of Jamie Hepburn. 2) Any communications - including texts, WhatsApps, emails, Teams messages, or an...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.38 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-09
Reference
FOI/202500491541 Review of 202500486016
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications sent and received from Senior Constitution Special Adviser: FOI release

All communications that Senior Constitution Special Adviser Ewan Crawford sent and received the week of Monday the 20 October.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence special advisers s.27(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-09
Reference
FOI/202500491195
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

NHS Fife statement on the recommencement of the employment tribunal information: FOI Review

Original request 202500486035 1. Correspondence with NHS Fife – All correspondence (emails, letters, Teams/Slack chats, WhatsApp, Signal, SMS, call notes, and any attachments/drafts) exchanged between: • Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray, his Private Office, and/or Health & Social Care Communicati...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 29 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings whatsapp s.4 s.5 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.2(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-09
Reference
FOI/202500491069 Review of 202500486035
Directorate
Health Workforce Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Details of the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy's trip to COP30: FOI release

1. Total Cost: The final total expenditure for the Cabinet Secretary’s trip to COP30. 2. Itemised Breakdown: A breakdown of these costs into the following categories: (a) Travel (including flights, internal transfers, and any carbon offsetting costs); (b) Accommodation; (c) Subsistence; (d) Any other associated costs...

FOI unclear 50 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers spending
Published
2026-02-04
Reference
FOI/202500498535
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, International, Public sector

Senior Special Adviser communications: FOI release

You asked for all communications that Senior Special Advisor Emily Mackintosh sent and received the week of Monday 20 October.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.27 s.27(1) s.28 s.29(1) s.30 s.32 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-04
Reference
FOI/202500491194
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group information: FOI release

Information regarding the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group. 1. The dates and minutes of all meetings of the Group held since 1 January 2023. 2. A list of any sub-groups or working groups established by the Group, with their purpose and membership where available. 3. Copies of any action p...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-03
Reference
FOI/202500491045
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Material regarding mistaken releases: FOI release

1. Copies of any briefings to Ministers, Special Advisers or Directors since 1 April 2020 that mention “release in error”, “erroneous release”, or “mistaken release” in the Scottish Prison Service. 2. Any correspondence between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Prison Service about the scale, causes, or prevent...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.3 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-03
Reference
FOI/202500491040
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Documentation which mentions former First Minister Chief of Staff and former Special Adviser: FOI release

1. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government that mentions Liz Lloyd, or is from/to her, including correspondence (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, or briefings, from the last three months? 2. Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government that mentions Kev...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-02-02
Reference
FOI/202500456581
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Ministerial Code Advisers and Senior Civil Servants correspondence: FOI release

1. All the correspondence between Scottish Ministers/special advisers/senior civil servants and any of the ministerial code advisers since 3 January 2025. This should include emails, instant messages, letters, meetings (and minutes of those meetings) and phone calls. 2. How many Scottish Government employees are secon...

FOI already published 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.25(1)I s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-29
Reference
FOI/202500490297
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Response statement regarding First Minister's tax claim: FOI release

All internal Scottish Government discussion (involving Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, or Press Officers), by email or direct messaging applications, on the response statement from the Scottish Government included in the Daily Mail story titled ‘Swinney attacked over claim most Scots pay less tax than rest...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-28
Reference
FOI/202500489716
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Hamilton Report redaction queries: FOI release

1. Is this passage stating that neither Gavin Henderson (Deputy Director – Organisational Continuity Team), Neil Rennick (Director – Organisational Continuity Team) nor Lesley Fraser (Director General Corporate) made the physical redactions to the Hamilton Report? 2. If so, I do not understand the material difference ...

FOI unclear 55 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers briefings s.14(1) s.25(1)
Published
2026-01-26
Reference
FOI/202500489293
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications regarding Special Adviser involvement in the redaction process: FOI release

(Previous) Permanent Secretary in advance of his meeting with the Information Commissioner, setting out the investigation that had been undertaken on whether there had been Spad involvement in the redactions process. 1) I request all communications regarding the investigation that has been referenced in the above pass...

FOI withheld 55 score 20 working days correspondence special advisers meetings s.1 s.30
Published
2026-01-26
Reference
FOI/202500489287
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Diary events for Minister for Parliamentary Business on 18th September 2025: FOI release

The reasons for Jamie Hepburn MSP’s non-attendance at First Minister’s Questions on 18 September 2025. Please provide details of any meetings, events, or other commitments scheduled during that period. Whether Jamie Hepburn MSP was present in the Scottish Parliament at any point on 18 September 2025, and whether he was...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-21
Reference
FOI/202500485183
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Minutes of the meeting between Minister for Public Finance and GFG Alliance: FOI release

I would be grateful if you could comply with the following request in relation to the ministerial statement on 11th September 2025, made by the Minister for Public Finance, Ivan McKee MSP to Parliament about the status of GFG Alliance businesses in Scotland, mainly those based in Lochaber and Dalzell. During that stat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-21
Reference
FOI/202500485956
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Meetings held between Scottish Government ministers and the Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP): FOI release

1. All correspondence between Scottish Government Ministers and their special advisers and Keith Brown MSP. This should include all email correspondence with and from his MSP email, SNP email and any other email accounts used by Keith Brown since 6 May 2025. 2. All meetings (including virtual) Keith Brown MSP has atte...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.25(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500487575
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence with member of Scottish Parliament: FOI release

For the period 2nd October 2025 - date, please provide all correspondence (including by direct messaging application) between Keith Brown MSP and the Scottish Government (including ministers, civil servants, special advisers, or press officers).

FOI released 95 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488653
Directorate
Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Correspondence regarding editing First Minister’s media release after publication: FOI release

This request relates to the following news release: https://www.gov.scot/news/challenging-poverty-with-family-friendly-policies/ When first published on 6th October 2025, the above news release included the following statement: The cost-of-living guarantee: Lower income tax than in the rest of the UK for the majori...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending whatsapp 2 attachments
Published
2026-01-20
Reference
FOI/202500488097
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector