What is the Freedom of Information Act?
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act entitles anybody to ask a public authority in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including Government Departments, for any recorded information that they keep.
The Act gives us all greater access to information about how decisions are taken in government and how public services are developed and delivered.
The FOI Act operates alongside the Data Protection Act and the Environmental Information Regulations.
- The Data Protection Act allows people to access information about themselves (eg personnel records, or information held by credit reference agencies).
- The Environmental Information Regulations give people access to information about the environment.
The Information Commissioner Website (External link)
See these pages for related information:
- How do I ask for information?
- What type of information can I ask to have ?
- What is a Personal and Private Information?
- What are the Main Exemptions?
- Freedom of Information Request
- What is a Publication Scheme?
- Charges for Information
- Publication Scheme
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Subscribe to changes to this page here.Author: Eric Williams. Last Updated: 14/11/2006.
