The government has launched a consultation on the proposed introduction of charges for Freedom of Information requests.
FOI requests allow individuals to ask public authorities for access to information held by them, free of charge, promoting transparency and accountability. Some requests can require significant resources to process.
The consultation is intended to seek views on these proposals which “aim to strike a balance between the right to access information, cost-effective administration, and value for taxpayers”.
Since 2018, the number of FOI requests received by the government has increased by around 17% year on year, putting increasing demands on Departments Boards and Offices.
In 2024 a total of 982 requests were received by government with the majority coming from a small group of individuals, with 7% of requesters responsible for nearly half of the requests.
The government says that in total, officers spent 5,300 hours working on responses – nearly 700 workdays – at a cost of £180,000.
Supports
Minister for the Cabinet Office David Ashford said: “Council recognises and supports the right of all Isle of Man residents to request information from public authorities, which is why we want people from all across the island to share their views.
“We want to ensure any future changes align with the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act. Any changes must strike a balance between people’s right to access information, cost-effective administration, and value for taxpayers.”
Feedback is also invited on what constitutes a reasonable fee, discretion to waive or reduce fees, and the reasonable number of requests an individual can make in a calendar year. The results will be used to inform future policy options for the Council of Ministers to consider.
The consultation can be completed at www.consult.gov.im and closes on 9 May 2025.
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