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CLG must sharply improve its response to Freedom of Information requests, The MJ has been told . In response, Whitehall officials revealed long-running concerns that the CLG would be unable to deal with the ‘volume and scope' of requests it has received under the Act – and senior staff did ‘not allocate sufficient resources to requests for data from the public and the media'. Information commissioner Richard Thomas last week criticised the CLG for poor handling of FoI requests, in particular for a painfully slow internal review process. Some appeals against the department's decision to reject FoI requests have taken over 400 days. Under the act, public bodies must respond to appeals within 20 working days, or 40 in exceptional circumstances. The commissioner's office last week said: ‘The commissioner is concerned that information management within the CLG, particularly in relation to FoI requests, may not be adequately resourced or given appropriate priority.' Mr Thomas issued a formal practice recommendation to CLG managers, which reminds them of their obligations under the Act. One senior source said Mr Thomas's decision to take public action was ‘inevitable' after delays continued long after the commissioner raised private concerns with the department. He added: ‘The department has many partners: from health bodies and the Home Office to hundreds of councils. So it is not always clear whether FoI requests should be answered by the CLG or a more appropriate public body. I understand that is responsible for some delays.'

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WHITEHALL

CLG's FoI effort questioned

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