What FOIA says

Section 19 states:

19.—(2) A publication scheme must—

....

(c) specify whether the material is, or is intended to be, available to the public free of charge or on payment.

(3) In adopting or reviewing a publication scheme, a public authority shall have regard to the public interest—

(a) in allowing public access to information held by the authority,

FOIA therefore requires public authorities to make it clear whether a charge is made for material which they routinely make available.

However, as FOIA does not say how charges should be calculated, there is no requirement for the Information Commissioner to approve specific charges in a publication scheme. This means that authorities have the discretion to determine the level of charges.