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

s.38(1) 4905 s.20 4252 s.34(1) 3567 s.39(2) 3455 s.30 2866 s.17(1) 2763 s.25(1) 2372 s.10(4) 1971 s.11(2) 1559 s.29(1) 1168 s.2 1152 s.3 903

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 1,275 releases · 27.9 avg days Marine Directorate 961 releases · 29.6 avg days Energy and Climate Change Directorate 919 releases · 31.1 avg days Learning Directorate 859 releases · 34.4 avg days Economic Development Directorate 725 releases · 40.0 avg days Constitution Directorate 685 releases · 36.1 avg days Population Health Directorate 645 releases · 28.7 avg days People Directorate 631 releases · 25.8 avg days
Clear
75 matching releases

Former Chief Medical Officer for Scotland WhatsApp messages during Covid-19 pandemic: FOI release

The WhatsApp messages of Professor Catherine Calderwood, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, during the Covid-19 pandemic, which for practical purposes we have interpreted as the period from 21 January 2020, the date on which the WHO published its ‘Novel Coronavirus (2019- nCoV) Situation Report’, up to and including 5...

FOI withheld 80 score 31 working days over deadline correspondence ministers whatsapp s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-11-01
Reference
FOI/202400425753
Directorate
Health and Social Care Finance Directorate
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Meeting between the First Minister and the Chinese Ambassador to the UK: FOI release

All briefing papers prepared for the First Minister's meeting with the Ambassador. All communications (emails, letters etc.) regarding the organisation of the meeting and after the meeting. Any notes, minutes or action points taken following the meeting. Any further information that definitively shows that the First Mi...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.32(1) s.29(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-08
Reference
FOI/202400427051
Directorate
Topic
International, Public sector

Closure of Glasgow East Women’s Aid (GEWA): FOI release

1) Please provide copies of communications (letters or emails) received by the Scottish Government from David Linden (ex-MP), Neil Gray MSP, Unite the Union, and a member of the public raising concerns about staffing issues at Glasgow East Women’s Aid (GEWA). Please provide the details with the actual dates. 2) In an ...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers s.2 s.38(1) s.25(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-10-07
Reference
FOI/202400427031
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

First Minister and Prime Minister meeting briefing notes: FOI release

All briefing notes prepared for the First Minister, regarding his meeting with the Prime Minister on July 7, 2024. Any records of this meeting, such as formal minutes and/or informal updates/readouts sent on any platform.

FOI withheld 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.30 s.38 s.28 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-24
Reference
FOI/202400423751
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Housing Announcement: FOI release

The Housing announcement today from the First Minister in Dundee. I'd like the following: 1. The date and time this decision to make this announcement was communicated to the Scottish Government. 2. Who was present when this decision affecting housing was made. Was it a cabinet decision or did it come from the offic...

FOI withheld 55 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.30
Published
2024-09-04
Reference
FOI/202400411291
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Housing, Public sector

Pro-Palestine marches in Scotland correspondence: FOI release

1. All correspondence received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internal, all documentation held, including analysis and minutes from meeting and briefings, about pro-Palestine marches in Scotland, from the last six months. 2. How many Scottish Government Ministers, including past ones, have attended pro...

FOI withheld 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.2 s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.17(1) s.28 s.32(1) s.38 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-03
Reference
FOI/202400419294
Directorate
Safer Communities Directorate
Topic
Law and order, Public sector

Freedom of Information guidance, monitoring the social media profiles of journalists and sex offender name changing: FOI release

1. Could you supply the full internal guidance/guidebook for dealing with FOIs which the Scottish Government abide by, including whether Special Advisers are given first look at them, and what details they are provided with? 2. Could you supply details about whether the Scottish Government monitor the social media pro...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.38(1) s.34(1) s.2 s.25(1) s.17(1) s.29(1) s.30 s.36(1) 2 attachments
Published
2024-09-02
Reference
FOI/202400408156
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Law and order, Public sector

Hate Crime Bill discussions and costs: FOI release

1. Could you supply a full list of stakeholders the Scottish Government discussed the hate crime with between the time it was passed at Holyrood in 2021 (April 23 2021 until April 1 2024)? 2. How much has been spent on the hate crime bill since 2023, including a breakdown of costs, i.e. on advertising campaign, etc? ...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence briefings meetings spending s.25(1) s.4 s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-30
Reference
FOI/202400408748
Directorate
Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights Directorate
Topic
Equality and rights, Public sector

Alex Salmond and Lesley Evans correspondence: FOI release

1. All correspondence, notes and minutes mentioning Alex Salmond, or from Alex Salmond, received and sent by the Scottish Government, including internal, between November 1 2023 and the date of this FOI. 2. All correspondence, notes and minutes mentioning Lesley Evans, or from Lesley Evans, received and sent by the Sc...

FOI withheld 80 score 22 working days over deadline correspondence meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.36(1) 4 attachments
Published
2024-08-28
Reference
FOI/202300391377
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Wealth tax in Scotland correspondence: FOI release

Information on Scottish Government and Ministerial engagements on the issue of wealth tax since 28 March 2023, with particular reference to any briefings, correspondence, meetings, or discussions on the Scottish Trade Union Congress’ (STUC) proposals on wealth tax and the IPPR paper on the case for fair tax reform in S...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers briefings meetings s.17(1) s.30 6 attachments
Published
2024-08-14
Reference
FOI/202300378648
Directorate
Tax Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

Council tax freeze financial modelling: FOI release

1) Any financial modelling undertaken of a potential council tax freeze in each financial year since 2016/17. For clarity, this should specifically be any financial modelling of the policy even if it was not implemented. E.g. in 2022/23, if modelling of a freeze was done alongside other policy options, it is a docume...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.38 6 attachments
Published
2024-08-14
Reference
FOI/202300381914
Directorate
Local Government and Housing Directorate
Topic
Economy, Housing, Public sector

Correspondence regarding Independence Referendum: FOI release

1. Has the Scottish Government modelled how many embassies it would create in the event of independence and how much these would cost? If so, could you supply this modelling? If not, why? 2. All correspondence between the Scottish Government and European Council President Charles Michel between January 1 2023 and the ...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers briefings spending s.29(1) s.17(1) s.38(1) s.30 2 attachments
Published
2024-08-13
Reference
FOI/202300377834
Directorate
Constitution Directorate
Topic
Constitution and democracy, Public sector

Correspondence from Kevin Stewart meetings with Transport Scotland and CalMac: FOI release

The number of times that the dualling of the A9 and the A96 has been discussed at cabinet since 29 March 2023. The minutes of all of Kevin Stewart MSP’s meeting with Transport Scotland since 29 March 2023. The number of times that Kevin Stewart MSP has met with CalMac since 29 March 2023.

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.38(1) 4 attachments
Published
2024-01-15
Reference
202300360120
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Humza Yousaf's meetings with NHS: FOI release

All internal and external correspondence within and sent or received by the Scottish Government including attached documents, meeting handouts, memos, briefings to ministers, attendee lists, location of meeting, notes, minutes, or OneNote memos, linked to the following meetings: Humza Yousaf's meetings with NHS Chairs...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers briefings meetings s.25(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.24 4 attachments
Published
2023-12-18
Reference
202300338490
Directorate
Chief Operating Officer, NHS Scotland Directorate
Topic
Public sector

First Minister's advice and statement regarding handling of harassment: FOI release

The Scottish Government’s review of Alex Salmond’s submission to the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints Committee where he identified 46 documents that were inappropriately withheld during the civil and criminal cases that had subsequently been passed to the Committee by the Scottish Government. The ...

FOI withheld 80 score 536 working days over deadline correspondence ministers briefings s.26 s.25(1) s.30 s.35(1) s.36(1) s.38(1) s.35(2) s.34(1) 14 attachments
Published
2023-12-11
Reference
202100170091
Directorate
Propriety and Ethics Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Attendees and details of Director-General Corporate meetings regarding Covid-19 Inquiry: FOI release

1. All meetings between any current or former Scottish Minister and the Director-General Corporate of the Scottish Government regarding the Covid Inquiry, the Scottish Government’s Record/Information Management Policy or the mobile messaging apps - usage and policy guidance (including any draft versions of that policy)...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers special advisers meetings whatsapp s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-07
Reference
FOI/202300383319
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

WhatsApp retention policy: FOI release

1. All government correspondence sent to civil servants and other related staff regarding the retention of WhatsApp messages. To be more specific, correspondence can include any internal emails or messages or other forms of communication that were put out to civil servants, Ministers and other related staff to explain ...

FOI withheld 80 score 20 working days correspondence ministers whatsapp s.30 s.37(1) s.21 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
FOI/202300382735
Directorate
Digital Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Covid-19 Inquiry Response Team: FOI release

1. The date on which the Response Team was established and the Minister responsible for its work. 2. The number of civil servants working within the Response Team, broken down by civil service grade. 3. The dates on which members of the Response Team have met with lawyers from a) the UK Covid Inquiry and b) the Scott...

FOI withheld 55 score 18 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.4 s.30 s.37(1)
Published
2023-12-06
Reference
FOI/202300383807
Directorate
Covid Inquiries Response Directorate
Topic
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections in Scotland, Public sector

Correspondence concerning the licensing of grouse shooting: FOI release

Copies of all correspondence between the Scottish Government and Police Scotland concerning the licensing of grouse shooting between 1st January 2021 and 24th February 2023; copies of all correspondence between the Scottish Government and NatureScot concerning the licensing of grouse shooting between 1st January 2021 a...

FOI withheld 80 score 19 working days correspondence ministers spending s.29(1) s.30 s.38(1) s.34(1) s.25(1) s.27(1) 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-05
Reference
202300345010
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Public sector

Organisational functions and purpose of Zero Waste Scotland: FOI release

“I would like to request a copy of two documents both referenced under point 2 in the minutes of the Biannual Meeting between the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity, the Zero Waste Scotland Chair and CEO held on 23rd May 2023. Document One: A one page document prepared by Zero Waste Scotland ...

FOI withheld 80 score 14 working days correspondence ministers meetings s.30 2 attachments
Published
2023-12-04
Reference
FOI/202300371455
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
Topic
Environment and climate change, Public sector

Correspondence on Angus Robertson's trips abroad: FOI release

All correspondence involving the Scottish Government, UK Government, Scotland Office, Angus Robertson and the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office about his trips abroad as a government minister between February 2023 and the date of this FOI. A full schedule of Angus Robertson's future planned trips abroad over the ...

FOI withheld 80 score 25 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.38(1) s.30 s.27(1) 4 attachments
Published
2023-10-11
Reference
202300361567
Directorate
Topic
Public sector

National Care Service cost: FOI release

How much money in total has been spent on the National Care Service bill so far, with a breakdown of these costs? Out of the costs of consultants, can you list every consultant company who has been given money to work on the proposals and how much has been handed to each one? How much money has been given to Derek Feel...

FOI withheld 55 score 42 working days over deadline correspondence ministers contracts spending s.29(1) s.30
Published
2023-09-06
Reference
FOI/202300364595
Directorate
Social Care and National Care Service Development
Topic
Health and social care, Public sector

Scottish Public Pensions Agency CCTV: FOI release

The information I require is to do with the organisation’s CCTV maintenance and support contract. Please can you send me the information stated below: 1. Supplier of the contract for CCTV maintenance and support 2. How much the Organisation spend annually with the supplier? (if multiple suppliers please list the annual...

FOI withheld 55 score 24 working days over deadline correspondence contracts spending s.9 s.30 s.7
Published
2022-02-11
Reference
FOI/202100267475
Directorate
Topic
Building, planning and design, Public sector

Meetings attended by First Minister week commencing 18 October 2021: FOI release

For the week beginning October 18, 2021, for any meeting attended by the First Minister, the location, topic, attendees, time and date, alongside all minutes, notes, agendas, memos, handouts, linked to each meeting.

FOI withheld 80 score 21 working days over deadline correspondence ministers meetings s.30 s.39(1) 2 attachments
Published
2022-01-27
Reference
FOI/202100255927
Directorate
Communications and Ministerial Support Directorate
Topic
Public sector, Work and skills