#foifriday — Public Fediverse posts

Stay informed about FOI news and tips by following the blog: https://clairemiller.net/blog/

Or by signing up for my newsletter: https://clairemiller.net/Words-and-Numbers-.html#sec-546d

#FOIFriday #transparency #openaccess #journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

The Cardiff streets that have seen the most complaints about things like potholes (Newport Road) and cracked pavements (Queen's Street), according to #FOI.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/gallery/shoddy-state-cardiffs-cracked-dirty-27107061

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-16-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

Niche tram #FOI (but may work for other publicly owned transport systems)

In Oct to Mar, there were 469,370 incomplete Metrolink journeys (where passengers didn't tap out), costing passengers £4.60 each time – even if they have reached the daily cap.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/it-head-in-metrolink-passengers-27077275

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-16-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

A total of 3,044 Kent children were being home educated in April 2022, compared with 1,997 in 2018, according to #FOI.

Council officials say the reasons behind the rise include mental health problems, bullying and parents' dissatisfaction with schools.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-65858064

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-16-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

Between January 2020 and May 2023, there have been at least 35 reported thefts of hospital equipment, drugs, and patients’ possessions across hospital sites run by the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/crime/the-trust-that-runs-scarborough-hospital-has-reported-dozens-of-thefts-of-staff-and-patient-property-across-sites-4172488

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-16-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

Another angle on the cost of living crisis - how many public sector workers are ditching pension contributions, potentially as a way of saving money.

#FOI shows number opting out of Teachers’ Pension Scheme has risen by over two-thirds in the past year.

https://www.ftadviser.com/pensions/2023/06/07/number-of-teachers-opting-out-of-pension-rises-by-two-thirds/?saveConsentPreferences=success

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-16-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

The number of prisoners in Scotland who have been placed on suicide watch has increased by 28% since 2007, #FOI figures show.

The number of prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm has fluctuated in the past 16 years, peaking at 3,217 in 2021.

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/number-scottish-prisoners-suicide-watch-has-increased-28-cent-2007

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-16-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

The number of homeless families from Enfield living in bed and breakfast accommodation beyond the government’s legal limit of six weeks has risen exponentially in the last year, #FOI shows.

At the end of March 2023, it was 113 up from one in April 2022.

https://enfielddispatch.co.uk/huge-scale-of-enfields-homelessness-crisis-revealed/

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-16-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

#FOI shows recorded incidents of sexual misconduct against Welsh ambulance staff have risen each year for the past five years.

Almost two in every three physical attacks reported by staff were sexual.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-65825772

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-16-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

#FOI shows over the past five years more than 300 officers have been reported for rape and 500 for sexual assault. Only ten of those accused of sexual assault have been convicted. The vast majority – 350 – are still working for the police.

https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2023-06-15/one-police-officer-accused-of-rape-every-week

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-16-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

The 'optical illusion' cycle path causing chaos in Keynsham (as revealed by #FOI) is back: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/04/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-28-4-2023-foifriday/

Three psychology professors have been looking into what has been causing people to trip.

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/keynshams-optical-illusion-cycle-path-8504124

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-16-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

Stay informed about FOI news and tips by following the blog: https://clairemiller.net/blog/

Or by signing up for my newsletter: https://clairemiller.net/Words-and-Numbers-.html#sec-546d

#FOIFriday #transparency #openaccess #journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

#FOI reveals crimes on trains and at railway stations since the start of 2021.

There were 74 offences in Wrexham and 102 in Flintshire - with the most common crime in both being railway trespass (22 in Wrexham and 26 in Flintshire).

https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23538447.trespassing-common-crime-wrexham-flintshire-railways/

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-2-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

An alternative to how many traffic penalties were handed out - who is getting the fines?

#FOI reveals since full enforcement started on April 1, only 34% of penalties issued by Tunbridge Wells Council were to vehicles registered in the Borough.

https://www.timeslocalnews.co.uk/local-news/visitors-to-town-receive-two-thirds-of-traffic-ban-fines/

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-2-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

More than 3,000 West Midlands residents are facing lengthy waiting times for council-managed allotments, with some waiting over six years for a plot.

On average, residents are waiting approximately 35 months for a plot according to #FOI.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/cost-of-living/2023/05/30/people-in-the-west-midlands-waiting-up-to-six-years-for-allotment-plots-as-demand-soars/

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-2-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

At what speed are those breaching the limit most likely to be caught out?

When it comes to speed cameras or mobile vans in hotspot locations, it is drivers doing between 40 and 49mph who are caught speeding most often, according to an #FOI

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/speed-limit-drivers-most-often-26987841

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-2-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

Met police are planning to cut the number of mental health callouts they attend.

21 forces that responded ton an #FOI all showed an increase since 2017.

In Merseyside, mental health-related incidents increased from 7,629 in 2017 to 28,039 last year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64891572

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-2-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

The total weekly bill was £582,834 for 4,611 children, with 721 pupils getting taxis to school outside their local authority area, an #FOI reveals.

The biggest spender was Stockport at £138,515, though the highest number of pupils was 1,161 in Salford.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/greater-manchester-councils-spending-over-26994658

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-2-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

More Scottish patients are choosing to go private, #FOI shows.

In 2019-20, 1,821 patients were removed from waiting lists at the four boards after deciding to have their treatment privately instead. In 2022-23 it was 2,669, an increase of 46.5 per cent.

https://inews.co.uk/news/scotland/scottish-patients-giving-up-on-nhs-waiting-lists-and-going-private-figures-show-2381032

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-2-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

Two machine guns and nearly 2,000 rounds of ammunition have been lost by the Ministry of Defence in the last two years, an #FOI reveals.

The Government department admitted lethal weapons and bullets vanished in 2021 and 2022.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/machine-guns-pistols-rifle-ammunition-30085524

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-2-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

Want more tips on what to do about your Section 22 (information intended for future publication) refusal:
https://clairemiller.net/blog/2019/10/section-22-yes-but-are-you-really-planning-to-publish-the-information-in-my-foi/

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-2-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

The ICO is generally going to expect the public authority to explain the information or put it in context instead.

The number of fines may just be the number of fines, it doesn't have to say anything about the success/failure of the scheme.

So the public interest may override.

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-2-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

Bristol Council plan to release the fines data after a year: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/revealing-number-bristol-clean-air-8444974

While refusing to speed up publication because it means extra pressure on staff can be a legitimate reason, the requested information being potentially misleading or confusing is unlikely to be.

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-2-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

Last week's #FOIFriday covered when responses turn out to be confusing when you try to follow them up: https://twitter.com/clairemilleruk/status/1662043218609942529?s=20

But what can you do when you can't get a response in the first place because of the potential confusion?

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-2-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

Does it matter if the response to your #FOI request might be confusing?

Bristol Council thought so, refusing a request for Clean Air fines because making the numbers public could “result in confusion”.

This week's not-confusing #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/06/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-2-6-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

Stay informed about FOI news and tips by following the blog: https://clairemiller.net/blog/

Or by signing up for my newsletter: https://clairemiller.net/Words-and-Numbers-.html#sec-546d

#FOIFriday #transparency #openaccess #journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

Through #FOI requests, Public Law Project's Tracking Automated Government register has, so far, tracked 42 instances of the public sector using AI.

Nearly half of UK’s local councils are also using AI to prioritise access to housing benefits.

https://theconversation.com/the-uk-public-sector-is-already-using-ai-more-than-you-realise-without-oversight-its-impossible-to-understand-the-risks-203723

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/05/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-26-5-2023-foifriday/

Criminals in London used electric bikes in 1,397 gadget thefts last year and e-scooters in 424, an increase of 185 per cent, according to #FOI

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12112881/Number-thieves-fleeing-e-scooters-TREBLED-year.html

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/05/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-26-5-2023-foifriday/

The Leicestershire police commissioner has reached out to local GP leaders due to concerns about rising levels of abuse at practices.

An #FOI to Leicestershire Police shows callouts increased by 150% over the pandemic, up from 10 in 2019 to 25 in 2022.

https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/practice-life/police-commissioner-reaches-out-to-gps-with-concern-over-rising-reports-of-abuse/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/05/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-26-5-2023-foifriday/

More than 250 vibrators and other sex toys were handed in to lost property in London according to an #FOI - with just 22 owners going back to reclaim them.

Appropriately, the largest haul was at Cockfosters Tube station.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/22206229/naughty-commuters-sex-toys-londons-public-transport/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism #London #TFL #LostProperty

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/05/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-5-5-2023-foifriday/

New figures uncovered by an #FOI from the Independent show at least 2,838 children needing mental health care were admitted to non-psychiatric hospitals last year.

Based on responses from 54 hospital trusts across England that was slightly down from 3,461 in 2021.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/children-mental-health-wards-hospital-b2328913.html

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism #MentalHealth #CAMHS

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/05/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-5-5-2023-foifriday/

#FOI reveals more than 2,000 complaints about anti-social behaviour went unanswered by police every day in 2020, with over 860,000 incidents unattended.

The Liberal Democrats, who made the requests, blame the government for being "out of control" of the issue.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/police-didnt-respond-2000-anti-29763769

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism #crime #AntiSocialBehaviour

This week's #FOIFriday: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/04/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-7-4-2023-foifriday/

Some Northamptonshire residents were moved more than 100 miles away, an #FOI shows.

North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) said it moved some residents to Brighton and Hove in Sussex since it was formed in 2021.

https://www.northantslive.news/news/northamptonshire-news/housing-crisis-forces-northamptonshire-council-8233863

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism #housing #TemporaryAccomodation

More #FOIFriday stories: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/03/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-10-3-2023-foifriday/

The number of dog attacks recorded by police in England & Wales has risen by over a third in the past five years, an #FOI has revealed.

Last year, there were nearly 22,000 cases of out-of-control dogs causing injury. In 2018, there were just over 16,000.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64798162

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism #dogs #dogattacks

More #FOIFriday stories: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/03/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-10-3-2023-foifriday/

Two York Council electric bin lorries were unable to operate when it rained.

An #FOI showed they stopped working for a combined total of 481 days between Jan 2021 & Nov 2022.

Head of environmental services Ben Grabham said there had been "a few reliability issues".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-64371642

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism #MobilePhones #Police #Thefts

More #FOIFriday stories: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/01/freedom-of-information-in-the-news--week-ending-27-1-2023--foifriday/

Are mobile thefts in decline?

An #FOI to West Yorkshire Police revealed 165 mobile phones were stolen in the Bradford city centre area last year – of which 157 incidents were recorded as crimes.

The 2018 figure stood at 475 phones stolen (343 crimes).

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/23275675.mobile-phone-thefts-bradford-decrease-foi-suggests/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism #MobilePhones #Police #Thefts

More #FOIFriday stories: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/01/freedom-of-information-in-the-news--week-ending-27-1-2023--foifriday/

Thousands of Ukrainian refugees are being housed in hotels as councils struggle to deal with a rising number becoming homeless.

#FOI figures show at least 668 households – 1,618 people – have been accommodated in hotels since March 2022.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ukraine-refugees-visa-home-office-hotels-b2256853.html

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism #Ukraine #housing #TemporaryAccommodation #Homelessness

More #FOIFriday stories: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/01/freedom-of-information-in-the-news--week-ending-13-1-2023--foifriday/

A theme for this week's #FOIFriday: what about #FOI requests that take other major stories in a new direction.

What has happened to the Ukrainian refugees who have become homeless?

Or how much those caught up in the collapse of FTX have reported as losses to the police.

https://clairemiller.net/blog/2023/01/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-13-1-2023-foifriday/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism #FTX #Cryptocurrency #Ukraine #housing #TemporaryAccommodation #Homelessness

West Mercia Police has recorded 282 incidents of sheep worrying since 2017, with 56 cases investigated in 2021, according to #FOI.

Sheep worrying can result in a maximum fine of £1,000 for dog owners.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-64175654

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #FOIFriday #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism #SheepWorrying #farming

Five school places for primary schools were withdrawn in Hampshire after parents were caught lying, an #FOI has revealed.

All five school places were withdrawn because a false address was provided on the application form.

https://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/news/23227260.hampshire-council-withdraws-places-fraudulent-school-application/

#journalism #FreedomOfInformation #FOIFriday #JournalismTips #InvestigativeJournalism #schools #SchoolPlaces #education

Want your weekly round-up of #FOI ideas as a video?

Video on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClKKs0mgBOm/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

You can view the full details here: https://clairemiller.net/blog/2022/11/freedom-of-information-in-the-news-week-ending-18-11-22-foifriday/

#journalism #FOIFriday #freedomofinformation #journalismtips #investigativejournalism #foia #freedomofinformationact #freedomofinformationrequest #costofliving #energybills #university #uni #unicourse #student

Adding some hashtags on to this introduction (as I ran out of space for them!):
#JournalistsOnMastodon
#journalism
#Journalist
#datajournalism
#datadrivenjournalism
#data
#ddj
#datavisualization
#datavisualisation
#datavis
#opendata
#spreadsheets
#freedomofinformation
#foi
#foia
#FOIFriday
#sewing
#memade