Under the (UK) Freedom of Information Act, a public authority usually has 20 working days to respond to a request made by a member of the public.

This 20‑working‑day limit is a maximum, not a target, so authorities are expected to respond promptly where possible. In some situations (for example, when more time is genuinely needed to consider exemptions or the public interest), the authority may be allowed to extend the time limit, but it must let the requester know and explain why.