I'm planning on adding a standard paragraph to all my communications with local and central government which ask for anything in the way of information, decisions or records.

"Please treat this request as made formally under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. As you know the Act requires you to provide this information promptly, but not later than 20 working days after receipt of the request. FOI Act, s10(1).

Please inform me immediately of any reason if you are unable to provide this information within this period."

Will that speed things up?

ps. I think I've made the first posting of 2005, sad isn't it?

While there are concerns about the number of exceptions in the Act governing what information can be released, things have moved on greatly. After all it is less than twenty years ago that internal DHSS papers,(including mundane guidance and memos about the Office Christmas party), were covered by the Official Secrets Act and the DWP at all levels is still deeply steeped in the culture of secrecy, much to the disadvantage of claimants and their advisers.

The Freedom of Information legislation has considerable potential for advice workers and there's a lot of helpful information on the Campaign for Freedom of Information's website www.cfoi.org.uk

...and if course the government's FOI website is also useful:www.foi.gov.uk

Perhaps now we'll get to see stuff like internal guidance on Adviser's Discretionary Fund, internal guidance on Education Maintenance Allowance eligibility, etc.

Plus the Team Members Guide as issued to DLA/AA staff -