Know Your Rights | Puzzld Civic Tools

Freedom of Information (FOI)

Ask any public authority for information they hold.

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, you have the legal right to request any recorded information from public bodies. It costs nothing and you don't need a reason.

Who can you ask?

Any public authority — government departments, NHS trusts, local councils, police forces, schools, and universities.

How to submit

Write to them directly or use WhatDoTheyKnow.com (free). Your request must clearly identify the information you want. You do not need to explain why.

Time limit

They must respond within 20 working days. If they refuse, they must give a reason.

If refused

Request an internal review. If still refused, complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk — it is free and they have enforcement powers.

Template — copy and edit

Dear [Name of public authority], Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am requesting the following information: [describe clearly]. Please provide this information in [format if relevant]. If you need clarification, please contact me. Yours faithfully, [Your name]

Right to protest

Peaceful protest is a legal right, not a privilege.

Protected under Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act 1998. The police can impose conditions, but they cannot simply ban a protest because it is inconvenient or unpopular.

What is allowed

Marches, static demonstrations, pickets, and vigils are all protected. You do not need police permission, though organisers of marches must give six days' notice to the police.

Conditions the police can impose

Police can restrict the route, location, timing, or noise level if they believe serious disruption or disorder is likely. They cannot restrict based on the content of the message.

If you are stopped or arrested

You have the right to know why you are being stopped. You do not have to answer questions beyond giving your name and address. Contact a solicitor immediately. Green and Black Cross (gbc.org.uk) provides free legal support for protesters.

Know the law

The Public Order Act 2023 introduced new restrictions. Liberty (libertyhumanrights.org.uk) publishes up-to-date guidance on your protest rights and any legal challenges in progress.

Workers' rights

Every worker has basic legal protections.

Whether you are employed, on a zero-hours contract, or classed as a worker, you have rights. Employers cannot take them away, even if you signed a contract saying otherwise.

Minimum wage

The National Living Wage (age 21+) is a legal minimum. If you are being paid less, report it to HMRC. You can do so anonymously at gov.uk/report-a-minimum-wage-violation.

Unfair dismissal

After two years of continuous employment, you have the right not to be unfairly dismissed. You can bring a claim to an Employment Tribunal within three months of dismissal.

Discrimination

The Equality Act 2010 protects you from discrimination based on age, disability, gender, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. This applies from day one of employment.

Whistleblowing

If you report wrongdoing at work, you are legally protected from being dismissed or treated unfairly as a result. Contact Protect (protect-advice.org.uk) for free, confidential advice.

Where to get help

ACAS (acas.org.uk) provides free, impartial advice on employment rights. Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk) can help you understand your options and prepare a tribunal claim.

Data rights

You have the right to know what organisations hold about you.

Under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, you have extensive rights over your personal data. These apply to companies, councils, the NHS, schools, and almost any organisation that processes your information.

Subject Access Request (SAR)

You can ask any organisation what personal data they hold about you. They must respond within one month, for free. Write to them directly or via their Data Protection Officer.

Right to erasure

You can ask organisations to delete your personal data in certain circumstances — for example if it is no longer necessary for the purpose it was collected, or if you withdraw consent.

Right to object

You can object to your data being used for direct marketing at any time. Organisations must stop immediately. You can also object to profiling and automated decision-making.

If an organisation refuses

Complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk). They can investigate and fine organisations up to £17.5 million for serious breaches. Filing a complaint is free.

Formal complaints to regulators

Escalate issues beyond the organisation itself.

When an organisation fails to resolve your complaint, a regulator or ombudsman can investigate independently and — if they find in your favour — require the organisation to act.

Housing issues

If your landlord or housing association fails to act, contact the Housing Ombudsman (housing-ombudsman.org.uk). For social housing, contact your local council first.

NHS complaints

First complain directly to the NHS organisation. If unresolved within 6 months, contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (ombudsman.org.uk).

Financial issues

Contact the Financial Ombudsman Service (financial-ombudsman.org.uk) for banks, insurance, and credit complaints.

Local council

If your local council fails to act on a formal complaint, contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (lgo.org.uk).

Utility companies

Contact the relevant regulator: Ofgem (energy), Ofwat (water), Ofcom (telecoms). Or the Energy Ombudsman / Communications Ombudsman.

Public inquiries and consultations

Have your say on decisions that affect you.

Governments and councils are legally required to consult on many decisions. These processes are often poorly publicised — but participation is your right.

Planning decisions

You have the right to comment on local planning applications. Check your council's planning portal. For major infrastructure, contact the Planning Inspectorate.

Public consultations

Government departments and councils must consult the public on significant decisions. Check gov.uk/government/consultations for current open consultations.

Public inquiries

Major inquiries (e.g. Grenfell, Post Office) accept evidence from the public. Check the inquiry's own website for how to submit.

Petitioning Parliament

A petition with 10,000 signatures gets a government response. At 100,000, it is considered for Parliamentary debate. Visit petition.parliament.uk.

Your local councillor

For local issues, your councillor is often the first and most effective contact.

Unlike MPs, councillors are responsible for the local services you use every day — and they are expected to respond to individual constituents.

Find your councillor

Enter your postcode at writetothem.com or your council's website. You will have multiple councillors — contact all of them for greater impact.

What they can help with

Planning, housing, roads, parks, antisocial behaviour, local services, and anything the council is responsible for.

How to contact

Most councillors have regular surgery sessions where you can speak in person. Email is also effective. Be specific about the issue and what action you want.

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