Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 came into force on January 1st 2005. It gives people the right to request recorded information held by public authorities. Ofgem, as a government department, qualifies as a public authority.
FOI is designed to help people get a better understanding of how public authorities carry out their duties and make decisions.
FOI Requests
If you would like to make an FOI request this can be e-mailed to us at foi@ofgem.gov.uk or alternatively you may write to us at:
Freedom of Information
Research and Information Centre
9 Millbank
Ofgem
London
SW1P 3GE
Phone: 020 7901 7003
Fax: 020 7901 7378
Ofgem will endeavour to complete a specific FOI enquiry within the statutory 20 working day limit, starting from the day on which the request was received. All requests must be made in writing, as per section 10 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 - PDF, 308KB - link opens in a new browser window.
If you are unhappy with the decisions made in relation to an FOI request, you may ask for an internal review. This can be done by contacting Ofgem in writing at the FOI e-mail box foi@ofgem.gov.uk
Ofgem will endeavour to complete the review in twenty working days. The review will be carried out by the Chief Operating Officer and a senior legal adviser not initially involved in the case. They can either instruct the FOI team to carry out further work where necessary or decide that what has already been done is satisfactory. In either case, the applicant will be informed of the decision in writing.
If you are unhappy with the decisions made in relation to an FOI request, you may ask for an internal review. This can be done by contacting Ofgem in writing at the FOI e-mail box foi@ofgem.gov.uk
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to then apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Making a complaint about ofgem
If you are unhappy with the way that Ofgem has reached a decision, then you should write to:
Ofgem Complaints
Operations Division
Ofgem
9 Millbank
London SW1P 3GE
Your complaint will be acknowledged within two working days and Ofgem will write to you within 10 working days to let you know the outcome of the complaint. If it is not possible to get back to you within this timeframe, we will write you to update you progress within the 10 working day period.
If you subsequently wish to take this further, you should write to the Chief Operating Officer at the address above. He will investigate your complaint further and will write back to you within 10 working days.
If you are not satisfied, you should take your complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman - link opens in a new browser window which carries out independent investigations into complaints about public bodies. To make a complaint to the Parliamentary Ombudsman, you need to first write to your MP asking them to refer the complaint to the Ombudsman.
If your complaint is found to be justified, the Ombudsman can recommend that the Ofgem provides a remedy.
Whistleblowing
This policy applies to external whistleblowers (individuals who do not work for Ofgem) who wish to disclose certain information to Ofgem about the activities of companies or individuals operating in the electricity or gas industries.
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) came into force on 2nd July 1999 and is commonly referred to as the whistleblowing legislation.
The PDA creates a framework to enable individuals in the private and public sectors to make disclosures of information which is in the public interest, by giving them protection from victimisation by their employer.
Ofgem treats all disclosures made through the whistleblowing policy in a confidential and sensitive manner. The identity of the individual making an allegation is kept confidential and will only be disclosed with the whistleblower’s consent or on directions of a Court.
Ofgem’s policy and procedure for employees to make internal disclosures about people or activities within Ofgem can be found in the Ofgem staff handbook on its intranet.
Whistleblowing information may be emailed to us at whistle@ofgem.gov.uk or alternatively you may write to us at:
Whistleblowing
Research and Information Centre
9 Millbank
Ofgem
London
SW1P 3GE
Phone: 020 7901 7011
Fax: 020 7901 7378