23/07/2020
The ICO has recently launched a toolkit for public authorities to self-assess their compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 as organisations prepare to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The ICO has made it clear that they expect organisations to be putting “clear plans in place to get back on track with their freedom of information work” and that the launch of the FOI toolkit will assist public authorities in identifying areas for improvement and where action needs to be taken.
The toolkit is available here and the first phase focuses on timeliness with sections including response rates, handling requests, training and awareness, compliance and assurance, and governance structure. Further toolkit developments to address other issues are expected.
For more information please get in touch with one of our information law experts; James Cassidy, Julianne Kirkpatrick, Emma Godding and Gemma Nash.
