FOI & EIR Financial Requests - London

Taxation and Finance England 4 Minutes Read · published February 02, 2026 Flag of England

In London, England public bodies including the Greater London Authority and local borough councils disclose financial information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR). This guide explains who to contact, expected timescales, typical fees and how to appeal a refusal when requesting budgets, contracts, invoices or expenditure records from London public authorities. It covers response deadlines, enforcement pathways and practical steps to make a clear, effective request.

What laws apply

Requests for financial records are usually made under FOIA or, when the information is environmental in nature, under the EIR; both set out different tests, exemptions and exceptions and are applied by each public authority in London. [2]

Making a request

  • Be specific: name the financial documents, date ranges and cost centres or contract numbers.
  • Send requests to the authority's FOI contact address or online form; most London bodies publish a request form or email contact. [1]
  • State a clear date and provide a contact email for responses; include a preference for electronic delivery.
Ask for machine-readable formats (CSV, XLSX) to speed reuse of financial data.

Timescales and deadlines

  • Standard FOIA response time: 20 working days from receipt unless an extension applies; EIR requests are normally responded to within 20 working days. [3]
  • If an authority needs more time it must tell you and give a reason (for example, complex requests or the need to consider exemptions).
  • Authorities may charge for disbursements (photocopying, postage) or apply a cost limit under FOIA section 12; specific charges are set by each authority and are not standard across London.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement and review of FOIA/EIR decisions for London public authorities is handled by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO); local councils do not impose monetary fines on requesters for appeals. If a public body refuses disclosure you can ask the authority to conduct an internal review, and then apply to the ICO for a decision. [3]

  • Remedies available: internal review within the authority, ICO decision notices requiring disclosure or other remedial steps.
  • Monetary fines or penalties for authorities are not specified on the cited pages; enforcement focuses on notices and orders rather than fixed local fines. [3]
  • Criminal offences such as destroying or altering records to avoid disclosure are created by statute; specific penalties are not specified on the cited municipal pages. [2]
  • Enforcer and contact: the Information Commissioner enforces FOIA/EIR and accepts complaints about London authorities via its official pages; local FOI teams handle internal reviews. [3]
  • Appeals and time limits: request an internal review (check the authority's published timescale), then apply to the ICO; time limits for ICO complaints are set on the ICO site or the authority's guidance and may vary—check the authority's guidance. [3]
If a council cites an exemption, ask for a refusal notice that explains the public interest test.

Applications & Forms

There is no single national FOI form: most London public bodies provide an online request form or an FOI email address and will accept a written email or letter; some authorities publish guidance on fees and submission methods. [1]

Common violations and typical outcomes

  • Incomplete disclosure or redaction of financial schedules — outcome: internal review, ICO decision notice requiring fuller disclosure.
  • Failure to respond within 20 working days — outcome: internal review and ICO complaint; monetary fines for authorities are not specified on cited pages.
  • Charging excessive fees for straightforward documents — outcome: dispute via internal review and ICO referral.

FAQ

How long will a council take to respond to a financial FOI request?
Most London authorities aim to respond within 20 working days for FOIA and EIR requests; consult the specific authority's FOI page for details. [3]
Can I get invoices, contracts and supplier names?
Yes, unless a specific exemption applies (for example commercial confidentiality); authorities must cite the exemption and explain the public interest test when withholding information. [2]
What if my request is refused?
Ask for an internal review from the authority, then complain to the ICO if you remain dissatisfied. [3]

How-To

  1. Identify the public authority holding the records (borough council, Greater London Authority or specific agency) and find its FOI contact details.
  2. Draft a clear, specific request describing documents, date ranges and formats you want; state whether you want expedited handling and provide contact details.
  3. Submit via the authority's online form or official FOI email address and keep a copy and timestamp of your request.
  4. If refused, request an internal review within the authority, then file a complaint with the ICO if the review does not resolve the matter.
Keep copies of correspondence and any reference numbers for appeals.

Key Takeaways

  • Expect a 20 working day standard response under FOIA/EIR.
  • Use the authority's online FOI form or email and be specific about documents and dates.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Greater London Authority - Freedom of Information
  2. [2] Freedom of Information Act 2000 - legislation.gov.uk
  3. [3] Information Commissioner - FOI guidance

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data