Freedom of information

The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act was signed by the Queen onto the statute book in November 2000, establishing a general right of access to all types of 'recorded' information held by public authorities. This right was implemented for central Government bodies from 2005.

OGC publication scheme

The FOI Act was implemented with the production of a publication scheme for each public authority, starting with central Government in November 2002.  The Information Commissioner has introduced a new model publication scheme that all public sector organisations should adopt from 1 January 2009.  OGC's publication scheme (PDF, 247KB) describes what OGC intends to publish from its internal documents and materials in accordance with the model scheme and definition document.

Guidance is available for procurement practioners and FOI decision makers, on the application of the FOI Act to procurement related information. The guidance:

• provides general advice on FOI procurement issues;
• gives recommendations on the application of key aspects of the FOI Act; and 
• summarises the starting point disclosure positions included in the procurement-related working assumptions.

The procurement-related working assumptions are part of the general set of short guidance notes, from the Ministry of Justice, on the applicability of exemptions to a range of information types, providing an overview of the public interest considerations that should be balanced when each information request is being assessed. 

Civil Procurement guidance material (PDF, 381KB)

Information Charter

This joint information charter sets out the standards that you can expect from HM Treasury and the Office of Government Commerce in regard to our holding of all information (including personal information about individuals); how you can access your own information; and what you can do if you think these standards are not being met.