Information commissioner Richard Thomas has promised that his office will be “independent, robust and responsible” in its duties under the Freedom of Information Act.

He said: “The right to know signals a fundamental culture change – moving all public services away from excessive official secrecy.

“Our job is to be the referee if a request for information has been refused.

“Our independence means that we can be robust in ensuring that information is released where the new law requires.

“I expect most requests for information to be dealt with within the 20 working day deadline.

“I will not be able to be sympathetic to bodies that have not made good use of the four year lead-in time. Excuses, such as lack of time or poor record management systems, will not wash.”

The new push invites a presumption in favour of disclosure, which will mean his department deciding whether exemptions have been properly applied by public bodies and, in most cases, ensuring that the public interest is fully considered.

But he added: “However, we must be responsible in our approach, recognising that greater openness should strengthen, not undermine, effective government.”

The new Act means that much more information will be put into the public domain.

Unless exemptions are applied, examples of where information is likely to be routinely disclosed will include: