Transparency index

Scottish Government FOI releases

21,863releases indexed
39,476attachments found
29.7avg calendar days
8,112partially withheld
2016-06-13oldest in sample
2026-05-20newest in sample

Outcomes

partially withheld 8,112 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

2026-05 410 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 1,279 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
1,175 matching releases

Short life working group and reference group: FOI release

Information regarding the "short life working group" in the press release: 1. A copy of any document which sets out any of the following: how the membership of this working group was decided; how applications for membership of the group were advertised; who applied to be part of the group; who was rejected; and what me...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.30 s.27(1) s.38(1) s.38
Published
2022-02-04
Reference
FOI/202100263332
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Independence prospectus post budget announcement: FOI release

In September, the First Minister announced that Scottish Government civil servants would start work on a detailed prospectus for independence (as reported here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-58478187). On 4th November 2021, I submitted a Freedom of Information request which asked for informat...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.17(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-27
Reference
FOI/202100264359
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Programme for Government, Public sector

NHS international recruitment: FOI release

1. Please could you provide me with any correspondence from the Scottish government to NHS boards that mentions international recruitment. Please include annexes and all other attachments to the correspondence. 2. Please could you confirm whether the Scottish government is following the UK Government’s code of practice...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence s.30 s.29(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2022-01-25
Reference
FOI/202100254639
Directorate
Health Workforce Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Report of the consultation regarding proposed Covid-19 Public Inquiry: FOI release

1. What progress has been made on the creation of the Report on the consultation exercise on the Aims and Principles Paper? 2. Has the Report been finalised? If not, when is it anticipated that the Report will be finalised? 3. Has the Report been made available to the Scottish Ministers? 4. Have Scotland’s Law Officers...

FOI withheld 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.28 s.10 s.18(1) s.29(1) s.17(1) s.27(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-25
Reference
FOI/202100254852
Directorate
Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Cabinet Secretary Net Zero, Energy and Transport engagements regarding Carbon Capture: FOI release

All diary engagements of the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport in relation to Carbon Capture including, but not exclusively, dates, times, locations, attendance, minutes

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-11
Reference
FOI/202100251136
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Acorn Carbon Capture Project: FoI release

Any correspondence between or involving senior civil servants, the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, the First Minister, Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work, and/or the Minister for Environment and Land Reform, or their respective ministerial offices, on the topic of the Acorn carbon capture project, f...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.25(1) s.29(1) s.33(1) s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-11
Reference
FOI/202100250858
Directorate
Energy and Climate Change Directorate
Topic
Energy, Environment and climate change, Public sector

Briefing materials relating to the Minimum Income Guarantee: FOI Review

Any internal Scottish Government communications regarding the introduction of a ‘minimum income guarantee’. Please can this include any briefing material produced in relation to this subject. I would like this information between 7 August 2021 and 24 August 2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-06
Reference
FOI/202100251240 Review of 202100233241
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Victim Notification Scheme Review: FOI release

(1) Details of the proposed Victim Notification Scheme review by the Scottish Government. This information should include when the review is anticipated to start and conclude, which policy proposals are explicitly mentioned as part of the review and the organisations that are being consulted with as part of the review....

FOI partially withheld 65 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.29(1) s.30
Published
2021-12-15
Reference
FOI/202100249299
Directorate
Justice Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Law and order, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Covid-19 bereaved families: FOI release

1. All correspondence, emails, record of phone calls, notes, including text messages received either by John Swinney or Humza Yousaf from Aamer Anwar seeking or making arrangements to meet Covid19 Bereaved Families for Justice Group or in relation to a request for a Public Inquiry or the date of a Public Inquiry into C...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.2 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.5 s.12 s.6 s.25(1) s.36(1) s.30 s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-12-08
Reference
FOI/202100247071
Directorate
Performance, Delivery and Resilience Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Briefings provided to Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local government: FOI release

Briefing provided to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government and the Minister for Social Security and Local Government in the 7 days following the 19th May 2021, following their appointment earlier this year.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 50 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings spending s.30 s.33(1) s.29(1) s.28(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-12-01
Reference
FOI/202100232962
Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills

Information held relating to abortion protests: FOI release

1. Any correspondence to and from Scottish Ministers on the topic of protests outside facilities providing abortions or sexual health care. 2. Any correspondence, meeting notes, minutes or any other documentation relating to meetings or discussions between the Scottish Government, local authorities and/or COSLA on the ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.3 s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.36(1) s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-15
Reference
FOI/202100243716
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Information regarding the implementation of Covid-19 passports: FOI release

(a) Any scientific, medical, immunological or epidemiological evidence provided to Scottish Ministers that underpins or supports their decision to require vaccine passports for events consisting of more than 10,000 people at open air events such as football matches; (b) Advice/recommendations on how such a scheme would...

FOI cost limit 70 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.12 s.20 s.29(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-09
Reference
FOI/202100240234
Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Correspondence relating to Green agreement: FOI release

1. Correspondence between the Scottish Government and Patrick Harvie on the Green agreement and his subsequent Ministerial appointment from 7 May 2021 to 31 August 2021 (our reference – 202100239912) 2. Correspondence between the Scottish Government and Lorna Slater on the Green agreement and her subsequent Ministerial...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 23 working days over deadline correspondence ministers s.29(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-11-09
Reference
FOI/202100239912
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Briefing created regarding Scottish Child payment increase: FOI release

Briefings given from Civil Servants to Ministers on increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £20 per week from 1 January 2021 to 25 March 2021 and separately from 7 May 2021 to the date of your request.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 14 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.29(1) s.38(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-11-08
Reference
FOI/202100239836
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Money and tax, Public sector

Briefing materials relating to the Minimum Income Guarantee: FOI release

Any internal Scottish Government communications regarding the introduction of a ‘minimum income guarantee’. Please can this include any briefing material produced in relation to this subject. I would like this information between 7 August 2021 and 24 August 2021.

FOI already published 80 score 18 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25 s.29(1) s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2021-10-27
Reference
FOI/202100233241
Directorate
Social Security Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Timeframe required for an independent Scotland to re-join the EU: FOI review

Your request, reference 202100227221 In relation to a previous request made (202100203619), you requested (a) “any reference to how you have concluded that the Public Interest test or indeed the section 29(1)(a) exemption should be applied. Could you firstly therefore please forward me any documentation you have which ...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence ministers s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-10-25
Reference
FOI/202100234945 review of 202100227221
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Communications regarding Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) appeal rates 2021: FOI release

Any communication, internal or external, discussing / responding to concerns about the quantity of appeals that the SQA may receive in relation to any 2021 appeals processes. The time frame for this request is 1/2/2021 - 2/6/2021.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 76 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.25(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-10-12
Reference
FOI/202100208815
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Ministerial briefings provided between 18th May 2021 and 2nd June 2021: FOI release

All briefings provided to the new Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, the Minister for Children and Young People and the Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training between 18th May 2021 and 2nd June 2021.

FOI partially withheld 65 score 74 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.38(1)
Published
2021-10-11
Reference
FOI/202100208478
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Timeframe required for an independent Scotland to re-join the EU: FOI release

In relation to a previous request made (202100203619), you requested (a) “any reference to how you have concluded that the Public Interest test or indeed the section 29(1)(a) exemption should be applied. Could you firstly therefore please forward me any documentation you have which details this” and you requested (b) “...

FOI partially withheld 90 score 20 working days correspondence s.29(1) s.38(1) s.30 s.25(1) 2 attachments
Published
2021-09-22
Reference
FOI/202100227221
Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Minutes between First Minister and education officials: FOI release

Last week it was revealed that the First Minister has met with education officials to discuss the SQA’s new alternative accreditation model, as reported in TES (see here: https://www.tes.com/news/SQA-sturgeon-we-wont-have-another-qualifications-fiasco) I would like (a) copy of the minutes taken at the meetings between ...

FOI cost limit 70 score 67 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings spending s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.12 2 attachments
Published
2021-09-21
Reference
FOI/202100206212
Directorate
Learning Directorate
Topic
Education, Public sector

Issue of section 19 of Road Safety Act: FOI review

1. Copies of any correspondence, notes, reports, minutes, or any other documents shared between the Scottish Government and Police Scotland, and the Scottish Government and the Scottish Police Authority, since 1 Jan 2018 that relates to the issue of section 19 of the Road Safety Act 2006. 2. Copies of any correspondenc...

FOI partially withheld 65 score 15 working days correspondence meetings s.19 s.28(1) s.30 s.29(1)
Published
2021-08-12
Reference
FOI/202100223994 review of 202100214134
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Information pertaining to Scottish Child Payment: FOI release

Copies of all correspondence between the Scottish Government, its officials, and its agencies and the UK Government and its agencies which relate to delivering the 6-16-year old data required by the Scottish Government to roll out the Scottish Child Payment since September 2020 Details, and a copy of the note of, all ...

FOI withheld 55 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings spending s.25(1) s.29(1) s.28(1) s.38(1) s.34(1)
Published
2021-08-11
Reference
FOI/202100222805
Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Money and tax, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Cervical Cancer Screening Programme: FOI release

A copy of all briefings for Ministers from 9 March onwards regarding the errors and audits of the Cervical Cancer Screening Programme. A copy of all email correspondence between 8 March and 28 March referencing the Cervical Cancer Screening Programme.

FOI partially withheld 90 score 27 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.39(1) 14 attachments
Published
2021-08-04
Reference
FOI/202100218011
Directorate
Population Health Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector