Latest statistics on FoI disclosures
There has been a significant drop in the number of requests made to the Government under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act 2000. Statistics show that there were 8,400 requests between April and June this year – a drop of 38% compared to the first quarter of the year.
But the figures reveal response times are improving, with 82% of requests processed within the 20-day limit, compared with 69% in quarter one.
The best performing departments were the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Debt Management Office, Ordnance Survey and the Treasury Solicitor's Department. All responded to every request within the 20 day limit. The Home Office and HM Treasury were the worst performing, responding to 44% and 46% of requests respectively within the same period.
The Ministry of Defence was the most popular, clocking up 1,039 requests.
The news comes as Scottish Minister for Parliamentary Business, Margaret Curran, announced the government would review the first few months of FOI in Scotland. The review will give individuals and public bodies the chance to have their say on any aspect of FoI, including fees, the public bodies that should be included within the legislation, and whether G8 related information should continue to be exempt from the Act.
Curran said FoI was already working well, with "generally positive" feedback.
"While we can't judge the overall success of FoI on the first few months, we can use the experience to look at whether there are ways we can improve things," she added.
But there are fears that the review could lead to an increase in the fees charged for information. Currently, £100 worth of work is free to the applicant. There is a 10 per cent additional charge up to £600, and after that the bodies can charge the full amount or refuse the request.
Ministers are said to be looking at adding together the costs of separate FoI requests from one individual to any public body. This would mean the £600 limit was quickly reached.
The review is expected to take place in early 2006.
Details of the FOI Quarter 2 statistics from the English Government: http://www.foi.gov.uk/stats-aprjun05.pdf
