Use This Hub to Check the Evidence
This rebuilt page combines the newer Right First Time UK transparency layout with the detailed material from the original site. The original information, evidence routes and source links are kept below rather than being replaced.
1. Read the information
Use the restored sections below for the detailed subject guide and background.
2. Open the evidence
Source, evidence and information links are shown as clear buttons so you can check the underlying material.
3. Check current status
Where a subject changes over time, use the linked official source for the latest published position.
Information & Evidence Shortcuts
Quick access to source links already included in the original RFTUK page.
Full RFTUK Information & Evidence
Public bodies exercise significant powers and spend public money. The public has legal and democratic routes to request information, challenge decisions, complain, campaign, contact representatives, participate in consultations and seek accountability.
This hub promotes peaceful, lawful and evidence-based public participation. It does not encourage harassment, threats, intimidation, disruption, vandalism, unlawful activity or unsupported allegations.
What Do You Want to Challenge?
Digital ID / Data Systems Action Route
- Read the official policy, law or consultation first.
- Check Parliament votes, Hansard and written questions.
- Use FOI to request contracts, DPIAs, equality assessments, supplier lists and costs.
- Use SAR rights if your own personal data is involved.
- Complain to the ICO if data rights may have been breached.
- Contact your MP and ask for scrutiny or parliamentary questions.
- Use petitions and public consultations for democratic pressure.
Public Experiments / High-Risk Policy Action Route
- Identify whether it is a trial, pilot, research project, policy rollout or live service.
- Find who approved it and who funds it.
- Request ethics approvals, risk assessments, consent documents and evaluation plans.
- Search trial registers, Parliament, contracts and FOI archives.
- Raise safeguarding or consent concerns with the responsible regulator.
- Contact MPs, committees, journalists or campaign groups with an evidence pack.
Public Procurement / Outsourcing Action Route
- Search Find a Tender and Contracts Finder for the contract.
- Check supplier ownership, accounts and directors on Companies House.
- Ask whether the contract was competed, directly awarded, extended or framework-based.
- Use FOI to request business cases, scoring records, invoices, conflicts logs and contract documents.
- Check NAO and Public Accounts Committee scrutiny.
- Report evidence-based concerns to the relevant public body, regulator or ombudsman.
Council Decision / Local Services Action Route
- Find the council committee, report, agenda, minutes and decision notice.
- Contact ward councillors and ask for the issue to be reviewed.
- Use FOI/EIR for missing records, contracts or environmental information.
- Use the council complaints process first.
- Escalate unresolved maladministration to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
- Use local audit inspection rights during the accounts inspection period where applicable.
NHS / Health Decision Action Route
- Identify the NHS body: GP, hospital trust, ICB, NHS England or regulator.
- Use PALS or the NHS complaints route first.
- Request medical records using SAR rights.
- Use FOI for policies, contracts, waiting-time data, risk assessments and service decisions.
- Raise safety concerns with CQC where relevant.
- Escalate unresolved NHS complaints to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Government Policy / National Law Action Route
- Read the Bill, Act, consultation or policy paper directly.
- Search Hansard, written questions, committee reports and voting records.
- Contact your MP with a clear request.
- Submit evidence to select committees where inquiries are open.
- Create or sign a parliamentary petition.
- Join or build a lawful campaign with clear evidence and specific demands.
- Consider specialist legal advice if there may be an unlawful public decision.
Full Public Action Toolkit
1. Search Official Government Information
Before challenging a decision, find the original documents, policy announcements, consultations and evidence.
2. Make a Freedom of Information Request
FOI requests can help obtain recorded information held by public authorities.
You could request contracts, meeting minutes, risk assessments, supplier information, internal guidance, cost information and policy documents.
Official FOI guidance3. Use Environmental Information Regulations
Environmental information may be requested under the Environmental Information Regulations, especially for environmental policy, pollution, emissions and climate-related projects.
ICO Official Information Rights4. Make a Subject Access Request
A Subject Access Request can be used to request copies of your personal data held by an organisation.
ICO Subject Access Request Guidance5. Contact Your MP
Ask your MP to raise concerns, submit parliamentary questions, contact ministers or support parliamentary scrutiny.
Find Your MP6. Check How MPs Voted
Official parliamentary voting records allow the public to see how MPs voted.
UK Parliament Votes7. Search Parliamentary Questions
MPs and members of the House of Lords can submit questions to government departments.
Written Questions and Statements8. Search Hansard
Hansard provides official records of debates in Parliament.
Search Hansard9. Submit Evidence to Parliamentary Committees
Select committees investigate government departments, public spending and major policy issues. Some inquiries invite written evidence from members of the public.
UK Parliament Committees10. Start or Sign a Parliamentary Petition
UK citizens and residents can create or sign petitions requesting government or parliamentary action.
UK Parliament Petitions11. Respond to Government Consultations
Government consultations allow the public and organisations to submit views before some policies and regulations are finalised.
Search Government Consultations12. Build a Lawful Public Campaign
Public campaigns can raise awareness and seek policy change using evidence reports, petitions, letters to MPs, media engagement, public meetings, research and community organisations.
13. Peaceful Protest and Public Assembly
Peaceful protest is an important part of democratic participation, subject to laws and restrictions that may apply.
Liberty Protest Guidance14. Challenge or Scrutinise Digital ID Policy
Possible actions include consultations, MPs, vote checks, FOI requests, privacy assessments, ICO complaints and committee evidence.
Information Commissioner's Office15. Scrutinise Public Experiments and Trials
Ask who approved it, who funded it, what ethics approval exists, what evidence supports it, what risks were identified and what consent process exists.
Health Research Authority16. Investigate Public Contracts
Search public contracts before making allegations or complaints.
17. Search National Audit Office Reports
The National Audit Office investigates government spending and value for money.
NAO Reports18. Follow the Public Accounts Committee
The committee examines government spending and value for money.
Public Accounts Committee19. Use Official Complaints Processes
Complain directly to the responsible organisation first where appropriate. Keep copies of correspondence, decisions, evidence and complaint reference numbers.
20. Escalate Complaints
21. Complain to the ICO
The Information Commissioner's Office handles concerns involving data protection and information rights.
Make an ICO Complaint22. Judicial Review Information
Judicial review is a court process that can examine the lawfulness of decisions made by public bodies. Strict legal rules and time limits can apply.
Administrative Court23. Find Legal Advice
24. Contact Councillors and Attend Council Meetings
Councils publish councillor details, committee papers, meeting dates, decisions and spending information.
Find Your Council25. Local Authority Accounts and Public Inspection Rights
In England, eligible local electors may have rights to inspect accounting records and ask questions during the annual audit process.
Local Authority Accounts: Guide to Your Rights26. Contact Journalists and Investigative Organisations
A useful evidence pack may include a short summary, timeline, official documents, contracts, FOI responses, spending records and clear unanswered questions.
27. Build an Evidence Timeline
Create a clear chronology showing what happened, when it happened, who made each decision, what evidence exists and what questions remain unanswered.
28. Publish Evidence Responsibly
Link to original sources, separate fact from opinion, correct errors promptly, protect personal data, avoid unsupported allegations and give organisations a fair opportunity to respond.
10-Step Public Action Plan
- Identify the exact policy, contract, trial or decision.
- Find the public body responsible.
- Collect official documents and evidence.
- Search Parliament, contracts and public spending records.
- Use FOI, EIR or SAR rights where appropriate.
- Contact MPs, councillors or other elected representatives.
- Respond to consultations and submit evidence to committees.
- Use complaints, regulators and ombudsmen.
- Build a peaceful, lawful and evidence-based public campaign.
- Consider specialist legal advice where a public decision may be unlawful.
Good Evidence Pack
- One-page summary
- Timeline of events
- Official documents and links
- FOI/SAR responses
- Contracts or spending records
- Names of responsible public bodies
- Specific questions still unanswered
- Clear request for what should change
What Makes a Public Campaign Stronger?
- Official evidence
- Clear objectives
- Accurate information
- Specific requests for change
- Constructive engagement
- Transparency about funding and interests
- Respect for people with different views
- Corrections when mistakes occur
- Persistence
What Should People Avoid?
- Threats
- Harassment
- Intimidation
- Publishing private personal information
- Unsupported allegations of criminality or corruption
- Damaging property
- Disrupting emergency services
- Misrepresenting documents or evidence
- Targeting individuals instead of decisions, systems and evidence
Evidence-based scrutiny is usually far more effective than speculation.