FOI appeals taking over 18 months to decide

FOI appeals taking over 18 months to decide

Rob Edwards, freelance environmental journalist with the Sunday Herald and New Scientist, has warned that if you appeal against a government agency keeping information secret, you shouldn't hold your breath for the outcome of any appeal: the independent information commissioners in England and Scotland are taking up to 18 months to decide on appeals.

An analysis of the 98 freedom of information requests Mr Edwards has submitted to 27 public authorities since January 2005 shows that some government organisations are extremely slow in responding to requests. For example, the Ministry of Defence and the British Nuclear Group have taken a year to respond.

98 freedom of information applications (Rob Edwards' blog, 4 November 2006)

Rob Edwards' FOI application log (Rob Edwards' blog, 4 November 2006)