FOI & EIR Requests - 20 Working Days in London

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

In London, England, access to recorded public information is governed primarily by national public access rules. Requests for non-environmental information are normally made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and environmental information under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Public bodies in London, including the Greater London Authority and borough councils, operate under these frameworks and follow ICO guidance on timing, exemptions and appeals. For practical steps, include a clear description of the information you want, a contact address for responses and assert whether the request is under FOI or EIR when relevant.

Be clear and specific about the records or date range to speed handling.

What FOI and EIR cover

FOI covers recorded information held by public authorities; EIR covers environmental information such as emissions, planning decisions and environmental monitoring. The legal bases are set out in statute and in ICO guidance for organisations and requesters. See the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 for statutory text and the ICO guidance for operational detail Freedom of Information Act 2000[1], Environmental Information Regulations 2004[2] and the ICO guide to FOI/EIR procedures ICO guidance[3].

Key timing and 20 working days rule

  • Under FOI, a public authority must confirm whether it holds the information and provide it within 20 working days unless exemptions or transfers apply.
  • Under EIR, the timescale is generally 20 working days from receipt, but may be shorter for urgent environmental risks; exceptions are set out in the Regulations.
  • If a request is unclear the authority may ask for clarification which pauses the 20-working-day clock while awaiting a reply.
If an authority says it needs more time, ask for the reason and a new date in writing.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement and remedies for non-compliance are handled by the Information Commissioner and, ultimately, the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights). Statutory remedies include enforcement notices and the right to complain to the ICO. Specific monetary fines for FOI/EIR non-compliance are not set out as fixed amounts on the primary legislation pages; see the cited ICO resources for enforcement procedures and any monetary penalty regimes, and where amounts are not specified the cited page is noted below.

  • Enforcer: the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) enforces FOI/EIR compliance, issues decision notices and can require disclosure or other remedial action.
  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited legislation pages; check ICO guidance and decision notices for any monetary penalty details.[3]
  • Escalation: complaints to the ICO; if unresolved the applicant may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights). Timing for appeal is set out by the ICO and tribunal rules.
  • Non-monetary sanctions include enforcement notices ordering disclosure, refusal notices, and directions to take remedial steps; continued non-compliance can lead to prosecution if criminal offences apply.
  • Inspection and complaint pathway: complain first to the public body, then to the ICO via its complaints process; tribunal appeals follow ICO decisions.
Monetary penalties and specific sums are described in ICO decision documents rather than the FOIA or EIR statutes.

Appeals, reviews and time limits

  • Internal review: request an internal review from the authority if you disagree with a response (check the authority’s published review procedure and time limit).
  • ICO complaint: bring a complaint to the ICO if unsatisfied after internal review.
  • Tribunal appeal: appeals from ICO decisions typically go to the First-tier Tribunal; time limits for appeal are published by the ICO and tribunal rules and should be checked on the ICO site.[3]

Defences and discretion

  • Authorities may rely on statutory exemptions (FOI) or exceptions (EIR) such as commercial interests, personal data or national security.
  • Public interest balancing tests apply where exemptions are qualified; authorities must record reasoning.
  • Reasonable excuse defences and reliance on withheld-information grounds are described in ICO guidance and in statute where applicable.

Common violations

  • Failure to respond within 20 working days.
  • Improper redaction or withholding without statutory basis.
  • Not carrying out a proper public interest test when required.

Applications & Forms

Many London authorities provide an online FOI/EIR form, but no single statutory form is required; a request can be made in writing or orally where the authoritiy accepts verbal requests. Authorities usually ask for your name, contact details and a clear description of the information sought. Check the local authority or body’s FOI/EIR webpage for its preferred submission method and any published form.

Most authorities accept email or a web form; always keep a copy of your request.

How to prepare a valid request

  • Be specific about dates, documents and the format you want.
  • Provide an address for response and state whether the request is under FOI or EIR if you know which applies.
  • Keep copies of your correspondence and note the date received by the authority.
If the authority asks for clarification, respond promptly to avoid delays in the 20-working-day period.

FAQ

How long does a public authority have to respond to an FOI request?
Generally 20 working days from receipt; delays can occur for clarifications or complex searches.
Can I request environmental data separately?
Yes; environmental information is normally requested under the EIR and follows the EIR timetable and exceptions.
What if my request is refused?
You should ask for an internal review, then you may complain to the ICO and, after an ICO decision, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.

How-To

  1. Identify the correct public body in London that holds the information you want.
  2. Prepare a clear written request stating the information sought and include contact details.
  3. Send the request using the authority’s published method (email, web form or postal address) and keep proof of sending.
  4. Note the receipt date and start the 20-working-day clock; respond to any clarification questions promptly.
  5. If refused, ask for an internal review and then complain to the ICO if unsatisfied.
  6. If the ICO decision is still unsatisfactory, consider appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights).

Key Takeaways

  • FOI and EIR requests are typically processed within 20 working days in London.
  • No single statutory form is required; be clear and keep records.
  • Enforcement and appeals proceed via the ICO and the First-tier Tribunal.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Freedom of Information Act 2000 - legislation.gov.uk
  2. [2] Environmental Information Regulations 2004 - legislation.gov.uk
  3. [3] ICO guide to Freedom of Information - ico.org.uk

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