Access public body information under UK law
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request lets you ask any public body (council, NHS trust, police, government department) for information they hold. You must make your request in writing clearly describing what you want. The public body has 20 working days to respond. Most requests are free. If refused, you can appeal to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Identify which council, government department, NHS trust, or public authority holds the information you need.
Send a clear written request describing what information you want, to their FOI officer or public.access@ email address.
They must respond within 20 working days. If refused, appeal to the ICO within 20 days of their refusal.
Ask the council for spending records, supplier contracts, or tender documents via FOI. Many councils have published spending data online, but you can request specific documents or budget details.
Request files, statements, or decision-making records from the police force via FOI. Note that active investigation materials may be exempt, but you can request information about decisions made.
Use FOI to request clinical audit data, complaints handling records, or performance data. If requesting your own medical records, use a Subject Access Request under GDPR instead.
Public bodies can refuse under exemptions (national security, legal privilege, personal data). They must still respond explaining why and that you can appeal to the ICO if you disagree.
After 20 working days, you can formally complain to the public body. After they respond, you can appeal to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) for free.
Request pollution data, planning applications, waste management records, or climate action plans using the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR). Similar process to FOI.
An FOI request is a formal written request to a public body for information held in their files. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, public bodies must respond within 20 working days.
Public bodies covered by the FOI Act include councils, NHS trusts, schools, police forces, government departments, and public authorities. Private companies are generally not covered (unless they do public functions).
Public bodies have 20 working days to respond to your FOI request. If they need to consult others, this can be extended. If rejected, you can appeal within 20 working days.
Yes, if the information falls under an exemption (national security, personal data, legal privilege). However, they must still respond and explain why they're refusing within 20 days.
You can appeal to the public body's FOI officer (internal review) within 20 working days. If still refused, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), who can order disclosure.
Most FOI requests are free. Public bodies can charge up to £450 for costs if handling takes more than 18 hours. They must estimate costs upfront before proceeding.
Use our FOIRequest tool to draft your request, track deadlines, and manage appeals to the ICO.
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