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Model publication scheme
Please bear with us whilst we update this page.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office: Model Publication Scheme
The Freedom of Information Act requires us to tell members of the public how they can find information that is routinely made available. More information about this requirement can be found on the Information Commissioner's Office website. We have formally adopted the model publication scheme.
We publish the majority of our information on our website. If it is not, it will be indicated. You can use the search box at the top of this page to find the information you are looking for.
If information is available online, you can download it free of charge. We do not charge for copying or postage.
If the information you want is not routinely published, you may make a request for it under the Freedom of Information Act. Please see the Request information page to find out how to do this.
Classes of information
Our publication scheme is organised into the seven classes recommended by the ICO:
- Who we are and what we do: Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts.
- What we spend and how we spend it: Financial information about projected and actual income and expenditure, procurement, contracts and financial audit
- What our priorities are and how we are doing: Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews
- How we make decisions: Decision-making processes and records of decisions
- Our policies and procedures: Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities.
- Lists and registers
- The services we offer: Information about the services the FCO provides including leaflets, guidance and newsletters.
Copyright
Most documents supplied by the FCO will have been produced by government officials and will be protected by Crown Copyright.
Information supplied to you continues to be protected by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. You may re-use the Crown copyright protected material (not including the Royal Arms and other departmental or agency logos) free of charge in any format for non-commercial research, private study or internal circulation within your organisation. The material must be acknowledged as Crown copyright and you must give the title of the source document/publication.
For any other proposed use of the material please apply for a Click-Use PSI Licence for core material from the Office of Public Sector Information:
Office of Public Sector Information
Information Policy Team
Kew, Richmond
Surrey.
TW9 4DU
Email: licensing@opsi.gsi.gov.uk
For further information on Crown copyright policy and licensing arrangements, see the guidance featured on the OPSI website.
Information you receive which is not subject to Crown Copyright continues to be protected by the copyright of the person, or organisation, from which the information originated. You must ensure that you gain their permission before reproducing any third party (non-Crown Copyright) information.
More on classes of information
Who we are and what we do
Organisational information, structures, locations and contacts.
- Roles and responsibilities – what is the FCO
- Organisational structure – who we are: Ministers, the FCO Board, Permanent Under-Secretary [details also available in the Civil Service Year Book]
- Legislation relevant to the FCO’s functions - Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments, etc.) [published by the Office of Public Sector Information, and The Stationery Office]
- Treaties
- Answers to Parliamentary Questions [published by UK Parliament]
- Working in partnership – what we do: stakeholder groups, international organisations, non-departmental public bodies
- Contact us
What we spend and how we spend it
Financial information about projected and actual income and expenditure, procurement, contracts and financial audit
- Financial statements, budgets and variance reports [published by HM Treasury]
- Capital programme
- Spending reviews
- Senior staff and board members’ allowances and expenses
- Financial audit reports [published by the National Audit Office]
- Ministerial expenditure
- Cost of Ministerial cars [published by UK Parliament]
- Pay and grading structures
- Procurement procedures
- Contracts awarded and their value [published by Tenders Electronic Daily]
- Financial statements for projects and events
- Internal financial regulations
What our priorities are and how we are doing
Strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews
- Strategic priorities
- Annual business plan
- Annual report
- Internal and external organisation performance reviews
- Performance reports to Parliament
- Inspection reports
- Impact assessments
- Service standards
- Statistics
- Public service agreements
How we make decisions
Decision-making processes and records of decisions.
- Major policy proposals and decisions
- Background information
- Public consultations
- Minutes of senior-level meetings
- Reports and papers provided for consideration at senior-level meetings
- Internal communications guidance, criteria used for decision-making, internal instructions, manuals and guidelines
Our policies and procedures
Current written protocols, policies and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities.
- Conducting departmental business [published by the Civil Service]
- Delivering our services
- Recruiting and employing staff
- Customer service
- Records management and personal data policies
- Charging regimes and policies
Lists and registers
- Public registers and registers held as public records
- Asset registers and information asset register
- Disclosure logs
- Register of gifts and hospitality provided to Ministers and senior personnel
- Any register of interests kept in the department
- Other lists required by law
The services we offer
Information about the services the FCO provides including leaflets, guidance and newsletters.
- Regulatory responsibilities
- Services for public authorities
- Services for industry
- Services for other organisations
- Services for members of the public
- Services which the FCO is entitled to recover a fee, together with those fees
- Government department circulars
- Leaflets, booklets and newsletters
- Advice and guidance
- Media releases
Ministerial meetings with outside interest groups
The Government is committed to, as a further step towards greater transparency, publish on-line information about ministerial meetings with outside interest groups on a quarterly basis.
Hospitality received by Ministers
Hospitality received by Ministers in a ministerial capacity
