What is Freedom of Information?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) gives people the general right to see recorded information held by public authorities.
The Act helps people get a better understanding of how public authorities carry out their duties, make decisions and spend public money.
Under FOI, anybody may request information from any public authority, including higher education institutions, which has functions in England, Wales and/or Northern Ireland.
The Act confers two statutory rights on applicants:
- To be told whether or not the public authority holds the information they request; and if so,
- To have that information communicated to them.
The Act means that:
Lancaster University is legally required to answer all written enquiries and requests for information from any person or organisation in the world within 20 working days, subject to certain exemptions.
In order for a request to be valid under FOI, it must include the Applicant's name and address, as well as a description of the information requested.
The public also have access to information within the Publication Scheme.