Freedom of Information (FOI) gives people a right to access information from public bodies. FOI applies to organisations like the Scottish Government, local councils, the police, and the NHS. It also applies to social housing landlords, who were brought under FOI in 2019.

Last year, more than 90,000 FOI requests were made in Scotland, from people seeking information on a huge range of issues.

This session will explain what FOI rights are, share examples of how it is being used, and give advice on how you can make an effective FOI request. It will also provide an update on how Scotland’s housing associations have been responding to FOI so far.

And if you have a question, don’t worry – there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions or discuss issues!

The session will be delivered by Bethan Owen and Paul Mutch from the Scottish Information Commissioner. The Scottish Information Commissioner is the organisation responsible for promoting and enforcing FOI in Scotland.

The session is primarily aimed at social housing tenants, tenant groups and those who represent them. While the main focus of the session will be on how freedom of information (FOI) rights can be used effectively to access information from social landlords and other public bodies in Scotland, it will also feature an update on the impact on, and experience of, FOI on the social housing sector to date, so may also be of interest to those working in FOI within registered social landlords.  

You don’t need to bring anything to the session, but please feel free to come along with any questions you might have about using your FOI rights!  

Twitter / X: @FOIScotland

BlueSky: @FOI.scot

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/55109965

Book your place by emailing Stacey.johnston@tpasscotland.org.uk