Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) came into force with effect from 1st
January 2005. It relates to all public bodies such as Government departments and
Universities, ie those receiving Government Funding.
The act means that anybody is able to ask for any information that the
University holds on a particular subject and, providing that the person making
the request can prove that the information they are seeking to obtain is in the
public interest, we have to provide that information within 20 working days. The
request has to be in writing which includes e-mail. UWE will be liable if we
don’t provide the information within that time frame and an individual can be
liable if that person attempts to destroy any information held on file. If
information has been destroyed prior to 1st January 2005 no liability arises.
Each organisation has to keep a log of all requests made and all information
provided by them. A request for information can be sent to anybody in the
University or by using the contact details provided on this website.
