The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) supports the policy
under the Citizen’s Charter of extending access to official
information.
It replaces the Open Government Code of Practice on Access to
Government Information (referred to as the Code) from January 2005.
Under the Code the department published material which fell
within the phrase ‘guidance to officials as will assist
better understanding of departmental action in dealing with the
public’.
So much of our guidance was published as both Intranet, and
Internet versions. This is replaced by the statutory requirement
under FOI to produce a publication scheme detailing material which
will automatically be made available to the public.
