Freedom of Information Request

You have the right to ask us for the recorded information we hold on any subject.

For further information on making a request you can read a guide to making a freedom of information request on GOV.UK or read a guide from the Information Commissioner's Office about accessing information from a public body.

• email: [email protected]

We will respond to your request as soon as possible, and within 20 working days of us receiving your written request.

If your request is unclear, we will contact you to find out exactly what information you are looking for. The 20 working days begins from the date you confirm details of your request.

Most information is available free of charge although you may be asked to contribute towards costs such as photocopying, translation services or postage. We will advise you of any costs and you will need to pay this before we proceed with your request.

If you refuse to pay, then we are not obliged to supply the information you've asked for.

If the costs of getting the information will exceed £450, we do not have to comply with your request.

Disclosure of any requested information is subject to the application of exemptions (full list below). These include things like if releasing the information would breach data protection legislation, would prejudice an ongoing court case or would hinder the prevention or detection of crime.

We will explain to you why we are not providing the information you have asked for, which exemption applies and how you can get our decision reviewed.

If following review, you are still unhappy with our response, you can make a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The following are absolute exemptions (i.e. there is no duty to consider disclosure in the public interest).

• Section 21 - Information accessible to the applicant by other means.
• Section 23 - Information supplied by, or relating to, bodies dealing with security matters.
• Section 32 - Court records, etc.
• Section 34 – Information subject to Parliamentary privilege.
• Section 40 - Personal information.
• Section 41 - Information provided in confidence.
• Section 44 – Information subject to a prohibition on disclosure.

The following are qualified exemptions (i.e. they can be applied if it is judged that disclosure is NOT in the public interest).

• Section 22 - Information intended for future publication.
• Section 24 – Information to do with national security.
• Section 26 – Information to do with national defence.
• Section 27 – Information to do with international relations.
• Section 28 – Information to do with relations between administrations in the United Kingdom.
• Section 29 – Information to do with the economy.
• Section 30 - Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities.
• Section 31 - Law enforcement information.
• Section 33 – Information to do with the audit of public authorities.
• Section 35 – Information to do with the formulation of government policy.
• Section 36 – Information that would prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs.
• Section 37 - Communications with Her Majesty, and honours list communications.
• Section 38 – Information that would jeopardise someone’s health and safety.
• Section 39 - Environmental information.
• Section 42 – Information that is subject to legal professional privilege.
• Section 43 – Information relating to commercial interests.