Every year, more and more people ask us to independently review decisions made by public authorities about their requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act or the Environmental Information Regulations. By the end of this financial year, we’re expecting to have received a record 6,500 cases for consideration. You can respond by completing our online form.
Our vision is to increase the public’s confidence in organisations that process personal data and in those responsible for making public information available. The transparency brought about by freedom of information is an important part of that vision and an essential part of our democracy. Amid concerns about the impacts of fake news, being able to access accurate and timely public information assumes increasing importance.
The draft strategy recognises that there is still a need for further cultural change in the way some public authorities approach access to information rights. It sets out how we can make even more use of all our powers to respond to individual requests for information as well as shine a light on systemic failings.
And it sets out how the ICO will tackle issues of non-compliance among public authorities, especially around issues of timeliness and quality of their responses to information requests.
The strategy is now out for public consultation and will remain open until Friday 8 March 2019. The Information Commissioner welcomes feedback on any aspect of the strategy.
Privacy statement
For this consultation we will publish responses received from organisations but will remove any personal data before publication. We will not publish responses from individuals. For more information about what we do with personal data please see our privacy notice.
Or print and post to:
Freedom of Information 'Openness by Design' responses
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
