Elizabeth France, now entitled the Information Commissioner, who will be responsible for implementing the Freedom of Information Act, has urged public authorities to start planning.
The Freedom of Information Act gives a general right of access to recorded information held by public authorities, which include Government departments, local authorities, NHS bodies, schools, colleges and universities, the police and others.
As soon as an authority is brought within the scope of the Act and where an exemption does not apply, anyone will be able to exercise his or her right of access to the information that authority holds, whether personal or non-personal.
The Commissioner, who will have combined responsibility for implementing the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000, has advised public authorities to begin auditing their current data handling practices in the light of their future freedom of information responsibilities.
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, individuals already have the right to access information about themselves. The Freedom of Information Act extends this right to include non-personal information.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Information Commissioner, Elizabeth France (previously Data Protection Commissioner) commented:
“My Office’s new role will enable us to offer an integrated and coherent approach to information handling and provide a single point of contact for public authorities and the public”.