2. Freedom of Information Act (2000)

The Freedom of Information Act gives individuals and organisations the right to request official information held by over 100,000 public bodies. 

Some of these public bodies include:

  • Central government
  • Government departments
  • Local authorities
  • Hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dentists, pharmacists and opticians
  • State schools, colleges and universities
  • Police forces and prison services
  • National Archives

This information can include things such as e-mails, minutes of meetings, research or reports.

The Act is retrospective.  This means that it applies to all information held, not just the information that has been published since the Act came into force.

challenge see if you can find out one extra fact on this topic that we haven't already told you

Click on this link: Freedom of Information Act