Guidance

108/25 Action required: This is a reminder to all ESF 2014 to 2020 Programme Beneficiaries of their on-going responsibilities regarding Freedom of Information requests (FOI)

Updated 21 February 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esf-action-notes-2014-to-2020-programme/10825-action-required-this-is-a-reminder-to-all-esf-2014-to-2020-programme-beneficiaries-of-their-on-going-responsibilities-regarding-freedom-of-inf

Date Issued:  21 February 2025                                      

1. Who should read

All European Social Fund (ESF) National and Local Co Financing Organisations (CFOs), Intermediate Bodies (IBs), Beneficiary Organisations, ESF Division and Greater London Authority.

2. Background

This is a reminder to all ESF 2014 to 2020 Programme Beneficiaries of their on-going responsibilities regarding Freedom of Information requests (FOI).

3. Action

FOI request must be in writing. You can do this by:

  • letter
  • email
  • social media
  • online form - check the organisation’s website or the government department’s page to see if they have an online form
  • fax

If you cannot make your request in writing because of a disability, contact the public authority who should be able to help you to make the request via a different method - for example over the telephone.

As part of the request, you will need to provide the following: -

  • the name of the applicant
  • an address for correspondence
  • description of the information requested.

As part of the formal closure of the ESF 2014 to 2020 Programme the previous in-box for Freedom of Information relating to the European Social Fund 2014 to 2020 Programme: esf.foirequests@dwp.gov.uk will close on 28 February 2025.

ESF beneficiaries should note all future Freedom of Information requests should be reported as per the GOV.UK Guidance within the link below.

How to make a freedom of information (FOI) request: Overview – GOV.UK

4. Contact

For any queries on this Action Note, please contact: esf.2014-2020@dwp.gov.uk

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