The Freedom of Information (FOI) system in England is facing an unprecedented crisis, with new data revealing alarming delays and increasing rejection rates that threaten the public's right to know.
Mounting Backlogs and Delays
According to recent analysis, government departments are taking significantly longer to respond to information requests, with some cases stretching to nearly two years. The Department for Education emerges as one of the worst performers, with average response times ballooning to shocking levels.
The situation has deteriorated so severely that transparency campaigners are warning the FOI system is becoming "not fit for purpose" and risks collapsing under the weight of bureaucratic delays.
Concerning Trends in Response Rates
Official statistics paint a troubling picture:
- Substantial increase in delayed responses across multiple departments
- Growing number of requests being outright rejected or partially denied
- Key ministries failing to meet statutory deadlines consistently
- Public bodies increasingly citing exemptions to withhold information
Impact on Public Accountability
The erosion of FOI responsiveness strikes at the heart of government accountability. When public bodies delay or deny access to information, it becomes increasingly difficult for citizens, journalists, and watchdog organisations to scrutinise decision-making and spending.
This transparency crisis comes at a time when public trust in institutions is already fragile, raising serious questions about the government's commitment to open governance.
Calls for Systemic Reform
Transparency advocates are demanding urgent action to rescue the failing system. Proposed solutions include:
- Strengthening enforcement mechanisms for delayed responses
- Increasing resources dedicated to FOI processing
- Reducing the number of permissible exemptions
- Implementing digital solutions to streamline request handling
Without immediate intervention, campaigners warn that the public's fundamental right to information could become increasingly theoretical rather than practical.
