New BBC guide to Freedom of Information Requests

Martin Rosenbaum's guide to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests is aimed at journalists, but is useful for anyone who wants access to official information.

The piece provides a run-down of the rules and regulations around FOI requests, such as which bodies are obliged to answer them and under which circumstances they can be refused.

Refreshingly, it also gives practical tips on how to get the most out of requests. One that resonates with our own experience is:

"Use the legal right you have to advice and assistance from the public body on the best way to make a request…"

And the recipient of requests is not the only potential source of advice. In the past we've received help from the Association of Chief Police Officers: they offer advice on sending requests to local police forces.

We've also found that before making an FOI request it's well worth checking if the relevant information is already publicly available. Full Fact finder can help.