Government response to the 30-year rule Review

The 30 year rule governs the point at which records of lasting historical value are normally transferred to the National Archives and made available to the public.

The Review recommended a reduction of the rule to 15 years, but the Government has chosen a reduction to 20 years.

It feels this gives a better balance between openness, affordability and the protection of information which, if released prematurely, could harm good government and be contrary to the public interest.

The new limit will be introduced gradually, with departments and other public bodies reviewing an extra year's worth of records each year until the transition to the new rule is complete.

The Review also made recommendations about how the Government manages it records and on how any change to current practices should be implemented and monitored.

The Government accepts almost all of these recommendations beyond the length of the new rule.