Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

11,099releases indexed
19,072attachments found
28.7avg calendar days
4,403partially withheld
2023-10-02oldest in sample
2026-05-15newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 4,403 unclear 3,109 not held 1,663 released 816 already published 409 cost limit 376 clarification 166 withheld 123 transferred 34

Top Exemptions

s.38(1) 2824 s.20 2437 s.34(1) 2118 s.39(2) 1920 s.30 1721 s.17(1) 1465 s.25(1) 1326 s.10(4) 1159 s.11(2) 933 s.29(1) 703 s.2 586 s.6(1) 478

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 743 releases · 28.1 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 632 releases · 29.1 avg days Local Government and Housing Directorate 437 releases · 29.3 avg days Marine Directorate 406 releases · 26.4 avg days Population Health Directorate 404 releases · 25.8 avg days Environment and Forestry Directorate 354 releases · 34.0 avg days Economic Development Directorate 334 releases · 41.5 avg days People Directorate 332 releases · 23.9 avg days
Clear
743 matching releases

Independence in Scotland: FOI release

Could you supply all briefings written for John Swinney's interview with Laura Kuenssberg on March 8 as well as all correspondence setting up the interview. He said in the interview: "I think it's now pretty clear in opinion polls that there is a sustained majority support for independence in Scotland." Could you provi...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-30
Reference
FOI/202600509980
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Freedom of Information department's correspondence that contains any reference to a “third intervention”: FOI release

Three requests summarised below with the relevant reference numbers we have used to process them: 202600509939 – “All correspondence sent or received (including internal correspondence) by members of the Scottish Government Freedom of Information department that contains any reference to a “third intervention” within ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.36(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-30
Reference
FOI/202600509939
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

First Minister’s 2025 Christmas card information: FOI release

1. The original image file The original, unedited photograph used on the First Minister’s 2025 Christmas card, including any available metadata (EXIF data). 2. Authorship and provenance Any documents, emails, or internal communications confirming who took the photograph. Any documents recording when and where the phot...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.38(1) s.17(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-29
Reference
FOI/202600509098
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Number of staff allocated to each Cabinet Secretary and Minister: FOI relaese

The total number of staff allocated to each Cabinet Minister and Minister. Please include how the composition of staff is arrived at- I.e what evidence informs staffing decisions for each Minister.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-29
Reference
FOI/202600509308
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Correspondence with the PCS union and the FDA unions in relation to the hybrid working policy: FOI release

Please provide all correspondence, unredacted, relating to the Scottish Government’s correspondence with the PCS union and the FDA unions in relation to the hybrid working policy. Please provide these details from October 22, 2025 until March 3, 2026. Please provide any correspondence relating to the hybrid working pol...

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 4 attachments
Published
2026-04-29
Reference
FOI/202600509259
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Correspondence from Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise’s Private Office 26 November 2025 to Thursday 27 November 2025: FOI release

“For the period Wednesday 26 November 2025 to Thursday 27 November 2025, please provide: All sent email chains from the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise specifically the minister's @gov.scot email account”

FOI partially withheld 85 score 4 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-29
Reference
FOI/202600508761
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Public sector

Roles of ministerial private office staff: FOI Review

Original Request 202600504042 Copies of job descriptions and roles and responsibilities of all Scottish Government “ministerial private office” staff at pay scale grade C1, C2, C3 and SCS. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include what is expected of individuals at these grades in relation to “Ministerial engag...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 15 working days correspondence ministers s.21(4) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-28
Reference
FOI/202600508829 - Review of 202600504042
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Direct communication between the First Minister and Permanent Secretary and their associated offices: FOI release

Under FOI, I would like to request all documentation exchanged between the (1) First Minister and his office, and (2) Joe griffin and his office from 01 December to the date of this FOI. For the avoidance of doubt, this is not where either party have been copied to a chain of emails. This is specifically about direct ...

FOI cost limit 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-28
Reference
FOI/202600508787
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Documents which mention section 52 of FOISA and First Minister to cease the effect of a Scottish Information Commissioner (SIC) decision: FOI release

All communications/documents which mention section 52 of FOISA/the ability of the FM to cease the effect of a SIC decision notice since January 2024.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.52 s.25(1) s.29(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-24
Reference
FOI/202600506970
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence between the First Minister, Director General Economy relating to Global Counsel: FOI release

(1) Can you please send me copies of any and all correspondence, including texts, whatsapps, emails, deleted emails, voicenotes, minutes of meetings, exchanged between Gregor Irwin and Peter Mandelson, or any employee of the firm Global Counsel, or mentioning Global Counsel or Peter Mandelson/Lord Mandelson held by the...

FOI not held 70 score 19 working days correspondence ministers meetings whatsapp s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.33(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-23
Reference
FOI/202600506640
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Economy, Public sector

Cost of Deputy First Minister's 2026 trip to the United Arab Emirates: FOI release

The total cost, broken into a table that lists the different costs, of Kate Forbes' recent trip to the United Arab Emirates in January/February 2026.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-22
Reference
FOI/202600506185
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Senior Special Adviser communications: FOI release

Communications sent and received by Senior Special Adviser Jeanette Campbell during the week commencing Monday 2 February 2026.

FOI already published 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers s.25(1) s.25 s.27(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.33(1) s.38 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-21
Reference
FOI/202600505102
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills communications: FOI release

For the period Wednesday 3 December 2025 to Thursday 4 December 2025, please provide: All sent emails from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills’ personal mailbox (excluding any shared or Private Office mailboxes).

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-20
Reference
FOI/202600504631
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Cost of Deputy First Minister's trip to the United Arab Emirates: FOI release

All costs of travel associated with the Deputy First Minister's travel to and from the United Arab Emirates from January 2025 to date of receipt. Please include the following as separate sections: 1. Cost of transport (all, including taxis), cost of accommodation, cost of dining (please provide an itemised list or co...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers spending s.27(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-20
Reference
FOI/202600504805
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Scottish Government Ministers pay rise documentation: FOI 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 pay rises for Scottish Government Ministers, between December 1 2025 and the date of this FOI? 3. Could you supply how much ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-16
Reference
FOI/202600504656
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Decision Notice 128/2025 documentation: FOI release

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including minutes/notes from meetings, correspondence sent and received (including internal), briefings, analysis, advice, about Decision Notice 128/2025.

FOI unclear 75 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-15
Reference
FOI/202600504385
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Law Officers attendance at Scottish Cabinet meetings: FOI release

From the date of Dorothy Bain becoming Lord Advocate, please provide the dates of every meeting of the Scottish Cabinet, and next to each date please state whether Dorothy Bain was in attendance.

FOI unclear 75 score 3 working days correspondence meetings 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-14
Reference
FOI/202600507891
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy COP expenses: FOI Review

Original request 202600500549 All communications exchanged by staff, Special Advisers and Ministers relating to FOI 202500497042 relating to Gillian Martin’s COP expenses. For the avoidance of doubt, please include all email, WhatsApp, Teams, Webex conversations or messages.

FOI not held 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers whatsapp s.38(1) s.30 s.17(1) 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-14
Reference
FOI/202600503947 Review of 202600500549
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Roles of ministerial private office staff: FOI release

Copies of job descriptions and roles and responsibilities of all Scottish Government “ministerial private office” staff at pay scale grade C1, C2, C3 and SCS. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include what is expected of individuals at these grades in relation to “Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts".

FOI partially withheld 65 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2026-04-14
Reference
FOI/202600504042
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Copies of training materials provided to ministerial private office staff: FOI release

Copies of the training materials provided to Scottish Government “ministerial private office” staff. For the avoidance of doubt, this should include training materials developed to respond to FOI requests, training materials on how to perform their role and training materials which explain free and frank exchange of a...

FOI partially withheld 85 score 20 working days correspondence ministers 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-14
Reference
FOI/202600504039
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Bute House press conference documentation: FOI Review

Original request 202500483012 Information and documentation relating to the Bute House Press conference on 14 April 2025.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings s.17(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2026-04-13
Reference
FOI/202500485766 Review of 202500483012
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector