Freedom of Information Act 2000

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (2000 c. 36) is the implementation of freedom of information legislation in the United Kingdom on a national level. It is an Act of Parliament that introduces a public "right to know" in relation to public bodies. The act implements a manifesto commitment of the Labour Party in the 1997 general election. The final version of the act is believed to have been diluted from that proposed while Labour was in opposition. The full provisions of the act came into force on 1 January 2005. The act itself is Crown copyright but can be found at the Web site of the Stationery Office.

Related Topics:
Freedom of information legislation - United Kingdom - Act of Parliament - Labour Party - 1997 general election - Opposition - 1 January - 2005 - Crown copyright - Stationery Office

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The act is the responsibility of the Lord Chancellor's Department (now renamed the Department for Constitutional Affairs). The act led to the renaming of the Data Protection Commissioner (set up to administer the Data Protection Act), who is now known as the Information Commissioner). The Office of the Information Commissioner will oversee the operation of the act when it comes into force.

Related Topics:
Lord Chancellor's Department - Department for Constitutional Affairs - Data Protection Commissioner - Data Protection Act - Information Commissioner - Office of the Information Commissioner

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A second Freedom of Information law is in existence in the UK; the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (2002 asp 13) was passed by the Scottish Parliament in 2002, to cover public bodies over which the Holyrood parliament, rather than Westminister, has jurisdiction. For these institutions, it fulfills the same purpose as the 2000 Act.

Related Topics:
Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Scottish Parliament

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