Outsourcing Oversight?

The ICO laid a report before Parliament on 28 January 2019.

'Outsourcing Oversight? The case for reforming access to information law' calls for an update to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) to include organisations providing a public function.

The main aim of the report is to make an evidence-based case to extend the reach of FOIA and the EIR to enable greater transparency and accountability in modern public services, which in turn improves services.

The report is linked to our draft access to information strategy ‘Openness by Design’.

What is the FOIA and EIR

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulation 2004 (EIR) give UK citizens the right to access information from public authorities.

What is Outsourcing Oversight?

The ICO’s report is written for parliamentarians. It will also be of interest to those who may be impacted by any change to the law, including government departments and local councils, police, education, NHS organisations, organisations providing outsourced services and other organisations providing a public function, such as housing associations.