Your right to know

A citizen's guide to the Freedom of Information Act

Heather Brooke, Pluto Press, paperback, 309 pages, £13.99

This second edition of Heather Brooke's book is timely. Last October, the government announced it would make it easier for public authorities to refuse Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests on stricter cost grounds. The Department for Constitutional Affairs is due to respond in the next three months.

This book serves as a readable primer on using the FOIA. For example, it explains how to access environmental information through the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, with tips for digging out information, including template letters for requests, and an updated directory of organisations.

The second edition has new chapters on Scotland, which has taken the lead in freedom of information case law and on the law in practice.

It is not a book to be read from cover to cover, but used when you want to know the best way of getting hold of information.