# The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

**Canonical URL:** https://www.skillcast.com/courses/the-freedom-of-information-act-foia-training-course
**Canonical link:** `<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.skillcast.com/courses/the-freedom-of-information-act-foia-training-course">`
**Provider:** Skillcast
**Jurisdiction:** UK
**Duration:** 55 minutes
**Format:** In-depth
**Experience level:** For All Staff
**Topics:** Public Sector
**Last updated:** 2026-07-21

## Description

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives the public a legal right to access recorded information held by public authorities. It promotes transparency, accountability and public trust by requiring organisations to disclose information unless a lawful exemption applies. This course explains the purpose and scope of the FOIA, how to identify and process valid FOI and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests, the differences between FOI, EIR and Subject Access Requests (SARs), and how to respond appropriately while meeting statutory deadlines and preserving records.

## Learning Objectives

- Explain the purpose and scope of FOIA
- Recognise what constitutes valid FOI and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests and how to respond
- Distinguish between the FOIA and EIR
- Distinguish between Freedom of Information (FOI) and Subject Access Requests (SARs)
- Identify exemptions and when public interest tests apply
- Recognise vexatious or repeated requests
- Know how to respond to requests, including declining requests and complaints

## Structured data (JSON-LD)

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Course",
  "name": "The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)",
  "description": "The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives the public a legal right to access recorded information held by public authorities. It promotes transparency, accountability and public trust by requiring organisations to disclose information unless a lawful exemption applies. This course explains the purpose and scope of the FOIA, how to identify and process valid FOI and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests, the differences between FOI, EIR and Subject Access Requests (SARs), and how to respond appropriately while meeting statutory deadlines and preserving records.",
  "url": "https://www.skillcast.com/courses/the-freedom-of-information-act-foia-training-course",
  "provider": {
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    "name": "Skillcast",
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  "timeRequired": "PT55M",
  "teaches": [
    "Explain the purpose and scope of FOIA",
    "Recognise what constitutes valid FOI and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests and how to respond",
    "Distinguish between the FOIA and EIR",
    "Distinguish between Freedom of Information (FOI) and Subject Access Requests (SARs)",
    "Identify exemptions and when public interest tests apply",
    "Recognise vexatious or repeated requests",
    "Know how to respond to requests, including declining requests and complaints"
  ],
  "about": [
    "Public Sector",
    "UK"
  ],
  "learningResourceType": [
    "In-depth"
  ],
  "educationalLevel": "For all staff",
  "dateModified": "2026-07-21"
}
```