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

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

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774 matching releases

Business case and proposal for commissioning Reach Advocacy Ltd: FOI Review

Original Request: 202500467478 The Business Case & Proposal for Scottish Government’s Commissioning of Reach Advocacy. Delivering quality assured advocacy and human rights qualification and training, across four government portfolios (15th of October 2024).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1)B s.38 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-03
Reference
FOI/202500477830 Review of 202500467478
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Business case and proposal for Reach Advocacy commission: FOI Review

Original Request: 202500467505 The Business Case & Proposal for Scottish Government’s Commissioning of Reach Advocacy. Delivering quality assured advocacy and human rights qualification and training, across four government portfolios (15th of October 2024).

FOI partially withheld 90 score 13 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings s.38(1)B s.38 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-03
Reference
FOI/202500477926 - Review of 202500467505
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Plans and discussions regarding restructuring/merger of Enterprise Agencies: FOI Review

Original Request 202500472477 1. Restructuring or Reform of Enterprise Agencies All minutes, papers, correspondence, or briefings (including drafts) since 1 January 2020 relating to any proposals, discussions, or decisions regarding: The merger, restructuring, rationalisation, or closure of any of the following: High...

FOI cost limit 70 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.2 s.4 s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-03
Reference
FOI/202500476929
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Population and advice on herring gulls and black backed gulls: EIR release

1. ‘Health Risks I would be grateful to view all documents comprising any analysis or other consideration of the health risks to humans posed by gulls, including risk of falls from swooping attacks, risks of ingestion of gull droppings, risks of respiratory and water based infections, including Histoplasmosis, Cryptoc...

FOI/EIR clarification 80 score 33 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.20 s.39(2) s.10(4) 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-03
Reference
FOI/202500474601
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Overseas trips conducted by the First Minister: FOI release

1. Overseas trips conducted by the first minister since 01 January 2024 including all countries visited on each trip. 2. The number of officials who accompanied the first minister on each trip. 3. The total cost of flights and accommodation for each trip, including for officials. 4. The class of flight tickets purch...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 16 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings spending s.4 s.25(1) s.27(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1)
Published
2025-11-03
Reference
FOI/202500478455
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence with Former Chief of Staff to the Former First Minister: FOI release

For the period 1st January 2024 to 30 June 2025, please provide copies of all correspondence between the Scottish Government (including ministers, civil servants, press officers, and special advisers) and Liz Lloyd, former Chief of Staff to Nicola Sturgeon. In addition, and over the same period, please provide a list ...

FOI already published 80 score 83 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers meetings s.25 s.30 s.36(1) s.36 s.37 s.38(1) s.25(1) s.36(2) s.37(1) s.38 s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-11-03
Reference
FOI/202500473602
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Costs of creating the new position of Cabinet Secretary for Housing: FOI release

The cost of creating the new position of Cabinet Secretary for Housing. Please break down all costs involved, including, for example, creating new office space, buying new stationery, hiring new staff or special advisers, purchasing new signage or business cards, etc.

FOI unclear 55 score 15 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.17(1)
Published
2025-10-22
Reference
FOI/202500476510
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Ministerial correspondence with Salmon Scotland Chief Executive: EIR Review

Original Request - 202500471588 Written correspondence including (but not limited to) letters, emails, texts and WhatsApp messages, on any subject, from or to Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott, from or to the First Minister, Scottish Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers, Scottish Government Special Advisers, F...

FOI/EIR unclear 80 score 41 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.20 s.11(2) s.34(1) 4 attachments
Published
2025-10-22
Reference
FOI/202500476396 Review of 202500471588
Directorate
Marine Directorate
Topic
Marine and fisheries, Public sector

First Minister’s trip to London on 22 September 2025: FOI release

“The total costs incurred for the First Minister’s visit to and from London on 22 September 2025. Please break the costs down by category including travel, accommodation, food, and any other costs incurred as a result of the visit. Please also provide a list of the people that the First Minister met with in an official...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 10 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.39(1)
Published
2025-10-14
Reference
FOI/202500485948
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Transport Scotland's involvement in ScotRail Alcohol Policy Reversal: FOI release

Information regarding Transport Scotland’s involvement in the lifting of the alcohol ban on ScotRail services. 1. Any briefing documents, reports, meeting notes, or correspondence from 2023 to present regarding the reintroduction of alcohol consumption on ScotRail trains 2. Any records of internal discussion on: Pas...

FOI already published 80 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.1 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.38 2 attachments
Published
2025-10-09
Reference
FOI/202500477652
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

NHS Fife employment tribunal queries: FOI release

1. The exact date and time when Scottish Ministers were first informed that Sandie Peggie had been cleared of gross misconduct by NHS Fife. Please provide the correspondence of ministers being informed of this development and any further correspondence where ministers discuss the implications of this ruling since 1 Jul...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.4 s.5 s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-30
Reference
FOI/202500476219
Directorate
Health Workforce Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Communications and briefings relating to Accunostics Ltd and ODX Innovations Ltd: FOI release

1. All communications (emails, letters, meeting notes, instant messages, recorded minutes, etc.) between: Any Scottish Government Minister, Special Adviser, or civil servant And either Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) or Audit Scotland that relate to any of the following entities: Accunostics Limited ODX Innovat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-25
Reference
FOI/202500469963
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Freedom of Information (FOI) statistics: FOI release

1) The total number of FOI responses issued by the Scottish Government. 2) The number of FOI responses that were referred to a Special Adviser for review or comment prior to release. 3) The number of FOI responses that were referred for Ministerial approval or sign-off prior to release. 4) If recorded, the number of...

FOI/EIR clarification 55 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers spending s.20 s.12
Published
2025-09-25
Reference
FOI/202500471350
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Communications related to Scottish Information Commissioner decision notice: FOI release

"For thoroughness, and to eliminate any need for any investigation of the Authority under section 65 of FOISA, the Authority was invited to assist the Commissioner by requesting a voluntary affidavit from the named Special Adviser. It was requested that this clarify the named Special Adviser’s role in the redaction pro...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.65 s.30 s.36(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-25
Reference
FOI/202500470557
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Delay to the MV Caledonian Isles correspondence: FOI release

All correspondence that Fiona Hyslop and her advisors sent and received regarding the delay to the MV Caledonian Isles that was announced on 22 July 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-25
Reference
FOI/202500477335
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Transport

Correspondence between Scottish Government officials and Founder of Tax Policy Associates: FOI release

“For the period 1st January 2023 - date, please provide copies of all email correspondence between the Scottish Government (including ministers, civil servants, and special advisers) and Dan Neidle, Founder of Tax Policy Associates.”

FOI partially withheld 90 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-24
Reference
FOI/202500468632
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Sustainable Growth Commission report email chain: FOI release

This is a follow up request to a previous FOI response. Your ref: FOI/18/02078 The above referenced FOI response includes an email chain labelled “Document 1” in which Alistair Paddison asks for a response to be drafted to an email sent to Derek Mackay on 9th July 2018 with the subject line “Growth Commission report”. ...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.38(1) s.17 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-24
Reference
FOI/202500469882
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence regarding answer to Parliamentary Questions by Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy: EIR release

You asked for EIR 202500450327 to be re-answered and all redactions removed, stating that “the blanket application of section 10 of EIR to justify the redactions clearly did not meet the public interest test”. Details of EIR 202500450327: Your previous request asked for all internal Scottish Government correspondence...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.10 s.20 s.39(2) s.11(2) 4 attachments
Published
2025-09-24
Reference
FOI/202500470810
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Materials regarding Kneecap music group: FOI release

"Could you supply all documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent and received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, analysis, about music group Kneecap, between April 20 2025 and the date of this FOI?"

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.38 s.27(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-23
Reference
FOI/202500466783
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Correspondence between Scottish Government and SP Energy Networks on Cross-Border Electricity Transmission Proposals: EIR release

Please provide copies of all correspondence (including emails, letters, meeting notes, and briefing papers) between the Scottish Government (including ministers, special advisers, and civil servants) and SP Energy Networks (SPEN) regarding proposals for cross-border electricity transmission infrastructure affecting the...

FOI/EIR partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.6(1) s.11(2) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-23
Reference
FOI/202500467677
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Public sector

Correspondence relating to the safety and policing of TRNSMT Music Festival: FOI release

(i) Any correspondence between the Scottish Government and Police Scotland relating to the safety and policing of TRNSMT 2025. (ii) Any correspondence between the Scottish Government and any other police force or policing organisation, including counter-terrorism police, relating to the safety and policing of TRNSMT 2...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings spending s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.38 s.27(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-23
Reference
FOI/202500468282
Directorate
Culture and External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Devolved Revenue publication: FOI release

This request relates to the following news release: https://www.gov.scot/news/devolved-revenue-grows-faster-than-expenditure/ Please provide all internal Scottish Government discussion (involving Ministers, Civil Servants, Special Advisers, or Press Officers), by email or direct messaging applications, on the draftin...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2025-09-23
Reference
FOI/202500480132
Directorate
Chief Economist Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding former First Minister's Memoir: FOI release

Regarding Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir ‘Frankly’ that is to be published: Any internal Scottish Government correspondence between 1 January 2023 and present discussing Nicola Sturgeon’s memoir, including any involvement by civil servants, special advisers, or ministers. All communications between the First Minister’s priv...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.30 s.33(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-18
Reference
FOI/202500465697
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Arts, culture and sport, Public sector

Materials for meetings between Blackford Consultancy Ltd: FOI release

All information in all briefings prepared for ministers, their offices and special advisers for meetings with former SNP MP Ian Blackford or the Blackford Consultancy Ltd (SC823029), since 1 July 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38 s.33 2 attachments
Published
2025-09-17
Reference
FOI/202500464664
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Meetings between Blackford Consultancy Ltd and Ministers/Special Advisors: FOI release

A list of all meetings sought by former SNP MP Ian Blackford, or the Blackford Consultancy Ltd (SC823029), with ministers or their offices or special advisers, since 1 July 2024. This should include the date, time and subject of each meeting, and the names and titles of any clients accompanying Mr Blackford. Meetings s...

FOI not held 40 score 18 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings
Published
2025-09-17
Reference
FOI/202500464662
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector