Freedom of Information Act
What is the Freedom of Information Act 2000?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000, provides a general right of access to information held by Public Authorities (PA). Anyone can request information from a PA and has the right to be told:
1. Whether the PA holds the information, and
2. If it does, to be provided with the information
Key points :
How to file a request:
If you are filing a request under the Freedom of Information act you must be very specific with what you are trying to find. A PA is completely within their right to return your application if they are unsure as to what you are looking for.
Here is a sample letter that can be used as a template:
[Insert date]
Dear [Enter name],
I am writing to make an open government request for all the information to which I am entitled under the freedom of information act. In order to assist you with this request, I am outlining my query as specifically as possible. If however this request is too wide or too unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand that under the act, you are required to advise and assist requesters.
[Give a description of your request: the more specific, the better]
I understand that under the act, I should be entitled to a response within 20 working days. I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing that you have received this request. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Yours,
[Your name]
If you are interested in requesting information from TFL then this is where you can find some sub headings that are useful to narrow your search to what you want and to what they have.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/foi/
As a group attempting to find more information about TFL, we have experienced that although the title claims Freedom, it has been difficult to obtain.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000, provides a general right of access to information held by Public Authorities (PA). Anyone can request information from a PA and has the right to be told:
1. Whether the PA holds the information, and
2. If it does, to be provided with the information
Key points :
- Anyone is entitled to make an FOI request for any information held by a public authority (PA)
- Information is anything held in a recorded form, e.g. paper files, loose papers, emails, electronic documents, photos, plans, maps, CCTV, videotapes, audiotapes, voice mails.
- Requests should be dealt with promptly and the PA should provide the information within 20 working days
- Requests are free if they cost less than £450 worth of effort. But disbursements (copying, postage etc) can be charged
- Above £450 pounds, the PA can decline the request
- In some cases the PA has to decide if it is in the public interest to disclose information even if there is an exemption
- If a PA is required to disclose information that might affect the rights and interests of third parties, consultation should take place with them first
How to file a request:
If you are filing a request under the Freedom of Information act you must be very specific with what you are trying to find. A PA is completely within their right to return your application if they are unsure as to what you are looking for.
Here is a sample letter that can be used as a template:
[Insert date]
Dear [Enter name],
I am writing to make an open government request for all the information to which I am entitled under the freedom of information act. In order to assist you with this request, I am outlining my query as specifically as possible. If however this request is too wide or too unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand that under the act, you are required to advise and assist requesters.
[Give a description of your request: the more specific, the better]
I understand that under the act, I should be entitled to a response within 20 working days. I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing that you have received this request. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Yours,
[Your name]
If you are interested in requesting information from TFL then this is where you can find some sub headings that are useful to narrow your search to what you want and to what they have.
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/foi/
As a group attempting to find more information about TFL, we have experienced that although the title claims Freedom, it has been difficult to obtain.