The Freedom of Information Act 2000 specifically exempt certain types of information (as taken from the HMSO website) that is, or may prejudice, the following:
- Information accessible to applicant by other means (section 21)
- Information intended for future publication (s22)
- Information supplied by, or relating to, bodies dealing with security matters (s23)
- National security (s24)
- Certificates under exemption 3 and 4 above (s25)
- Defence (s26)
- International relations (s27)
- Relations within the United Kingdom (s28)
- The economy (s30)
- Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities (s30)
- Law enforcement (s31)
- Court records (s32)
- Audit functions (s33)
- Parliamentary privilege (s34)
- Formulation of government policy (s35)
- Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs (s36)
- Communications with Her Majesty and honours (s37)
- Health and safety (s38)
- Environmental information (s39)
- Personal information (s40) - see the Data Protection Act 1998
- Information provided in confidence (s41)
- Legal professional privilege (s42)
- Commercial interests (s43)
According to section 44 of the Act:
"Information is exempt information if its disclosure (otherwise under this Act) by the public authority holding it:
- is prohibited by or under any enactments,
- is incompatible with any Community obligation, or
- would constitute or be punishable as a contempt of court"
