Freedom of Information
What is Freedom of Information?
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) gives people the general right to see recorded information held by public authorities.
The Act helps people get a better understanding of how public authorities carry out their duties, make decisions and spend public money.
Under FOI, anybody may request information from any public authority, including higher education institutions, which has functions in England, Wales and/or Northern Ireland.
The Act confers two statutory rights on applicants:
- To be told whether or not the public authority holds the information they request; and if so,
- To have that information communicated to them.
The Act means that:
Lancaster University is legally required to answer all written enquiries and requests for information from any person or organisation in the world within 20 working days, subject to certain exemptions.
In order for a request to be valid under FOI, it must include the Applicant's name and address, as well as a description of the information requested.
The public also have access to information within the Publication Scheme.
How do I make a Freedom of Information request?
In order to make a request for information from Lancaster University under the Freedom of Information Act 2000:
Or email: foi@lancaster.ac.uk
Or write to:
Information Governance Team
Strategic Planning and Governance
Lancaster University
Bailrigg
Lancaster
LA1 4YW
Be sure to include your name, a valid address, and a clear description of the information you are requesting.
Please note that the Information Commissioner's Office has ruled that applicants must provide their real name. Requests from applicants using pseudonyms may be refused. Please see the guidance on how to recognise a request on the ICO website.
Please be aware that, in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, a bank holiday day in any of the four nations comprising the United Kingdom will be considered as a non-working day for the purposes of calculating response timescales, e.g. St. Andrew’s Day can be counted as a non-working day in all countries covered by the Freedom of Information legislation, even though it is only a bank holiday in Scotland.
Process for making a complaint about the handling of a Freedom of Information Request
The University aims to comply fully with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and to ensure that the service it provides for those wishing to gain access to information is helpful and effective.
Stage 1
If you feel the service you have received does not meet our aims or your expectations, you are entitled to request that the University undertakes an internal review of the way we have responded to you. Requesters should make requests for an internal review no later than 40 working days after the date of their response. The University is not obliged to accept internal reviews after this point.
To request an internal review, please write to the following (quoting the Request ID number we issued upon receipt of your request if possible):
Head of Governance Services
University House
Lancaster University
Bailrigg
Lancaster
LA1 4YW
email : foi@lancaster.ac.uk
The Information Governance Team will respond directly and arrange for the matter to be reviewed internally.
Or email: foi@lancaster.ac.uk, adding ‘FOI Complaint’ to the subject line of your message.
Stage 2
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of this process, you may appeal to the Information Commissioner by writing to the address below:
The Information Commissioner
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
About this website
Lancaster University aims to comply fully with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and to ensure that the service it provides for those wishing to gain access to information is helpful and effective.
This website supports this process and provides information on the processes of making an information request from the University.
If you have any comments, please contact us at: foi@lancaster.ac.uk
Help
If you have any questions about Freedom of Information at Lancaster University, or need help with a request, please contact:
Information Governance Team
Strategic Planning and Governance
Lancaster University
Bailrigg
Lancaster
LA1 4YW
Email: foi@lancaster.ac.uk
Telephone: 01524 592165
National Resources
Resources from the Information Commissioner's Office: