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Freedom of information for schools presents its own challenges. Schools receive requests for information from parents, journalists, governors, campaign groups and members of the public every year. Some requests are simple. Others involve sensitive issues such as safeguarding, finances, admissions or complaints. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) gives

Navigating the steps of freedom of information requests can be complex. Considering requests, seeking clarification and applying exemptions is a normal part of obtaining and sharing data. It can, however be difficult to get everything right when dealing with a large volume of requests or when requests are complex. That's

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) places clear obligations on public authorities to provide access to recorded information, and with those obligations comes the need for consistency, clarity, and control. This is where a well-designed Freedom of Information (FOI) policy becomes indispensable. Without one, organisations risk delays, inconsistency, and

For any public authority or organisation subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000, receiving a request can feel like a disruption to the "real" work. However, treating FOI requests as an afterthought is risky because of your statutory duties and the role FOI has in building openness and trust.

What Staff Data Can Be Disclosed Under the UK Freedom of Information Act? Many public sector organisations struggle when people make freedom of information requests  that involve information about staff and other workers. There is no automatic exemption for personal data about anyone other than the requestor under FOI. Therefore

Recently the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has taken a more robust approach to Freedom of Information (FOI) compliance in parts of the NHS, including serving enforcement notices on trusts where performance has fallen well short of the statutory deadline. (Information Commissioner's Office) Many of these organisations (and they won’t be

Exploring the Applicant Blind Principle in freedom of information requests Transparency in public administration is a cornerstone of democratic accountability. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) embodies that principle in the United Kingdom, granting the public a legal right to access recorded information held by public authorities. One of

  Open data is an increasingly important part of transparent governance, informed policymaking, and public accountability. Governments, public authorities, and institutions generate vast quantities of information every day — from spending data and environmental records to public service performance metrics. Making this data freely accessible is central to the open

Freedom of Information (FOI) law in the UK is designed to promote openness and transparency in public authorities. However, there are important rules, exemptions, and processes that shape how information is handled. Below, we address some of the most common questions relating to commercial confidentiality, re-use of information, response timescales,

Freedom of Information (FOI) requests can only be met effectively if organisations know what information they hold, where it is kept, and how to access it. Records management therefore sits at the heart of FOI compliance. Without good practices in place, organisations risk delays, incomplete responses, and even breaches of

Why test your Freedom of Information maturity? Compliance with the UK Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is no longer just a legal necessity. For many public authorities, it has become a visible measure of organisational transparency, capability, and trustworthiness. Yet in practice, FOI compliance can feel fragmented. Teams may be

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) sets clear statutory timescales for public authorities in the UK to respond to FOI requests. Meeting this timescales is a crucial aspect of FOIA compliance. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ [su_box title="About the Author" box_color="#020a4a"]Michael is an expert in governance and information governance, with many years’ experience