Marked rise in number of FOI requests in recession

A GROWING number of people are seeking redress if their requests for information from public bodies are rejected

The public's right to make Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to councils, the NHS, police and Parliament, among others, was introduced five years ago.

Kevin Dunion, the Scottish Information Commissioner, who investigates organisations that refuse to provide information, said that there was a 15 per cent rise in appeals made to his office last year.

Mr Dunion also said there was a 16 per cent increase in the number of people seeking advice on using FOI requests, compared with the previous year.

He said: "The effect of the recession on public spending may well mean even more requests for information being made by people concerned about public authority decisions which affect services, funding or jobs.

"It is therefore essential that public authorities take steps to make sure they can more readily comply with FOI, giving people the information they want, while minimising the impact on public authority resources.