Freedom of Information Requests can be made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI Act). The Act is a powerful piece of legislation in the United Kingdom that champions transparency and accountability in government and public bodies. Introduced in 2000, it gives the public the right to request information held by public authorities, enabling a more open society. By permitting access to recorded information, FOI fosters trust, transparency, and active participation in public affairs. Understanding who can make a Freedom of Information request and how they can do so is essential for anyone seeking to comply with their statutory duties.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Contents
-
Who can make a freedom of information request?
-
Why people make freedom of information requests
-
What information can be requested?
-
Exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act
-
Where people can send freedom of information requests
-
Summary
-
Conclusion
Who Can Make a Freedom of Information Request?
Under the FOIA, the ability to request information is broad and inclusive. Any individual or entity, regardless of nationality or residency, has the right to submit a Freedom of Information request. This means that not only UK citizens, but also businesses, non-profit organizations, media outlets, and even international entities are entitled to seek information. The openness of this law underscores the UK’s commitment to transparency, extending the right of access far beyond its borders.
In short: anyone anywhere can make a freedom of information request.
Why People Make Freedom of Information Requests
People make freedom of information requests for various reasons, from satisfying personal curiosity to addressing matters of public interest. Journalists, for instance, may use the FOI Act to uncover governmental actions and report on issues that affect society. Researchers and academics may request information for studies and analyses, while private citizens may seek clarity on local council decisions. Freedom of Information requests are a vital mechanism for holding authorities accountable and for fostering informed debate on policy and governance.
People do not need to give their reasons for making a request, or justify making it in any way. So:
Anyone can make a freedom of information request for any reason.
What Information Can Be Requested?
The FOI Act provides access to information held by or on behalf of a public authority. This encompasses various forms of documents and data held by public authorities such as emails, reports, minutes of meetings, contracts, and much more. However, the Act does not cover opinions or unrecorded thoughts of government officials. If information exists in a recorded form — be it digital, handwritten, or printed — it can generally be requested, provided it falls within the scope of the Act and is not exempt.
This means:
Anyone can ask for anything for any reason
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sign Up Here:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act
The FOI Act recognises the need to withhold information sometimes. although the presumption is to disclose, exemptions to disclosure allow authorities to withhold information when its disclosure could harm public interest. Absolute exemptions are strict and include information related to national security or court records. An example is personal information about the requestor. Qualified exemptions are more flexible, requiring a “public interest test” to determine if the need for transparency outweighs potential harm. These exemptions balance the public’s right to know with the need for confidentiality in sensitive matters. An example of this is commercially sensitive information.
However, the big caveat with exemptions is that if you believe information is exempt from disclosure you generally need to be able to explain why.
This means:
Anyone can ask for anything for any reason, but they are not guaranteed to get it
Where People Can Send Freedom of Information Requests
Although many, perhaps all, public authorities will have some form of FOI address “FOI@…” and some event ask people to complete a form, people can send their requests to the organisation via any route.
People are under no obligation to send information requests to a specific address or person. Public authorities must recognise requests when received however and wherever they are sent. The only condition is that the request must be in writing.
This includes via social medica channels.
Anyone can ask for anything for any reason, and in any way, so long as it is in writing.
Summary
So overall it is important for public authorities to remember:
-
Anyone in the world can make freedom of information requests
-
They can do so for any reason
-
As long as they are in writing freedom of information requests can be made via any medium
-
People can send their requests to you by their preferred route
Conclusion
The FOI Act enables people to get recorded information from public authorities no matter who they are, where they are, or why they want it. The Act is therefore one of the most powerful tools for transparency and accountability anywhere in the world. Public authorities must recognise and respond to freedom of information requests no matter how they receive them, and engage with requestors in a positive way.
What to Read Next
Find out more about dealing with FOI requests with Freedom of Information and Stakeholder Engagement
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gain the practical skills you need work with Freedom of Information and GDPR with these five-star rated training course.
Available in person, online or in-house the focus on practical skills and unique post-course support you get by learning with us will ensure you and your organisation can tackle this key governance activity with confidence.
