Freedom of Information
A guide to making a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act
The Home Office and its Agencies are committed, under the Freedom of Information Act to:
- promote informed policy making and debate;
- provide timely and accessible information to explain the department's
- policies, actions and decisions; and
- respond to requests for information.
Any request to the Home Office for information will be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
Requests for information
The Home Office proactively publishes a wide range of information. In addition, in late 2002, government departments established publication schemes under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Therefore, you may first wish to search the Home Office Publication Scheme, departmental websites or check with the General Enquiries section to find out if the information you require has already been published or if there are plans to do so. Alternatively, if you know which part of the office might deal with the information you require, then contact them direct.
Target
The Home Office target for meeting requests for information is twenty working days.
Requests for personal data
The Data Protection Act 1998 governs the processing of personal data (information relating to living individuals). This legislation makes it possible for you to request access to personal data that the Home Office may hold about you. A request for disclosure of such information is called a subject access request.
Should you wish to know more about your rights under the Data Protection Act 1998 you should consult the Office of the Information Commissioner's website
Limits of disclosure
The Home Office will disclose information wherever possible. However, in certain limited circumstances, it will be necessary to preserve confidentiality where it is not in the public interest to disclose. Where information is refused, the Home Office will specify which exemption is being claimed and why. All requests for information will be carefully considered on their own merits and with close regard to the public interest.
UK Border Agency freedom of information requests
UK Border Agency
Central Freedom of Information Team
11th Floor
Lunar House, Short Corridor
40 Wellesley Road
Croydon
CR9 2BY
Public enquiries
UKBApublicenquiries@ukba.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 0870 606 7766
FOI enquiries
Freedom.Informationteam@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Fax: 020 8196 3172
General Home Office enquiries
Home Office
Direct Communications Unit
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Tel: 0207 035 4848
Fax:020 7035 4745
Telephone:020 7273 3476 (9:00am -5:00pm)
public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Prison Service
Information Management Section
Room 721
Abell House
John Islip Street
London
SW1P 4LH
Tel: 020 7217 2125
informgt@prisons-cscg.demon.co.uk
Passport Service
Identity and Passport Service
Private Office
Globe House
89 Eccleston Square
London
SW1V 1PN
Tel: 0870 521 0410
Fax:020 7901 2425
identitycards@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
www.ips.gov.uk
Public records over 30 years old
Tel:020 8876 3444
Freedom of information complaints
Anyone not satisfied with the response to their Freedom of Information request may seek an independent review by writing to:
UK Border Agency
Central Freedom of Information Team
11th Floor
Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road
Croydon
CR9 2BY
Freedom.Informationteam@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
stating when and to whom the original request was made.