How do I access information that is not available through Met Office Products and Services?

Please follow the advice below to ensure your request for information is dealt with as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Before you ask for information

To speed up your enquiry, please check if the information you're looking for is already available on our website:

• Look at the information released in our Disclosure log
• Check our Publication scheme to see what types of information we make available and whether you have to pay for it [link to new PS page]
• Search the Met Office website

How do I ask for information?

If you can't find the information you require, please submit an FOI request. To help us deal with your request, please tell us clearly what information you would like to request and include your name and either a postal or email address.

Is there a time limit for the Met Office to reply to my request?

Under the FOIA/EIR, we must reply to your request for information within 20 working days.

Will the Met Office always provide me with the information I request?

Some information may be exempt from disclosure under the FOIA/EIR. If we refuse to give you information then we must explain why. For more information on your rights, please visit the  Information Commissioner's website.

Will I be charged for the information?

Under FOI/EIR, in most cases the information will be provided free, but costs may be charged in certain circumstances. For example, information relating to Met Office commercial products and services may be chargeable.

Complaints

If, for any reason, you are unhappy with our response to a request made to us under the FOIA/EIR, you have the right to appeal our decision and request an internal review.

We will undertake an internal review of the treatment of the request including procedural compliance and reasons for withholding information (if applicable). You may raise a complaint where you believe we have:

• Failed to respond to your request within the time limits (normally 20 working days);
• Failed to tell you whether or not we hold the information;
• Failed to provide the information you have requested;
• Failed to explain the reasons for refusing a request;
• Failed to correctly apply an exemption or exception; or
• For any other reason.

The Met Office will inform you of the outcome of the internal review within 40 working days, in line with the Information Commissioner's guidance. The Met Office may:

• uphold the original decision;
• provide additional explanation of the exemption/exception applied; or
• release further information

if it is considered appropriate to do so.

Appeals should be addressed to the person who responded to your request initially.

Review by the Information Commissioner

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome, or the handling of the internal review conducted by the Met Office, you may seek an independent review from the Information Commissioner. Requests for review by the Information Commissioner should be made in writing within 40 days of our internal review response, to:

The Case Reception Unit
Customer Service Team
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
WILMSLOW
SK9 5AF

Telephone: 08456 306060

Fax: 01625 545510

For further information, find out more about complaints at the ICO.