In recent years the number of FOI requests in the UK has gone up by some 20% each year whilst the % replied to within 20 days - which is the normal timescale FOI should be replied to - has gone down some 4% per annum.
In 2024 there were some 83k FOI requests and some 70% were replied to within 20 days.
Looking at the 2024 versus 2023 data in the detail, Departments of State experienced a 5% increase p.a. in FOI requests whilst Other monitored bodies faced a 32% increase p.a.
Comparing 2024 with 2023 replies within 20 days, Departments of State appeared to be hovering around 82% with a trend of a 1% decrease every 2 years, whilst Other monitored bodies replies within 20 days were going down some 6% p.a.
Taking this data and modelling it into the future, the upshot seems to suggest that somewhere around 2028 the number of FOI requests taking 20 days or longer will have crossed over to some 51%.
So it’s possible that by 2028 complaints to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) about the 20 day time limit not being adhered to will be increasing. Plus, the ICO will have a knotty problem across all public authorities that the required 20 day time limit on replies is no longer being normally adhered to.
Apparently when a breach of law is found the ICO can issue a Decision Notice explaining the law and what to do, or an Enforcement Notice requiring specific actions to put things right. Failure to comply with these notices can lead to court proceedings for contempt of court.
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