Laura Sharman 30 April 2019

Councils handling nearly half a million FOI requests every year

Councils receive around 467,000 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests every year, nearly double the number compared to estimates back in 2010, a new report has revealed.

The analysis by mySociety found councils received ten times the number of FOI requests than central government.

The report – Freedom of Information in Local Government – found compliance rates with the statutory 20 days deadline for reply are high in local government with only a few isolated exceptions.

It also shows a third of councils had at least one FOI request considered vexious, with 9% having at least five in the past year.

Dr Ben Worthy of Birkbeck College said: ‘This report gives us a first comprehensive picture of what’s happening with FOI at the local level. It shows that request numbers have indeed continued to grow and that local authority staff face a series of obstacles in dealing with requests.

‘Above all, it underlines the importance of FOI as a tool of local democracy.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Worker

Essex County Council
£27934.00 - £35344.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Residential WorkerPermanent, Full Time£27,934 up to £35,344 Per Annum (includes allowance) equal to £14.48 to £18.32 Per HourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Early Years Keyworker

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
Want to make a difference for children with special educational needs in Greenwich? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Early Years Area SENCo

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£39,855 - £42,324
Have you got extensive experience in working within Early Years, with a clear understanding of child development Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Young Persons Substance Misuse Service Pathfinder

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£31,524 - £32,931
Are you looking to change the lives of young people? Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Regulatory Compliance Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£37,068 - £38,058
You will be an apprentice embedded within the Trading Standards team. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Linkedin Banner