# Information Management Report

Through this Information Management Report, The National Archive track record
transfers under the [Public Records
Act](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/legislation/public-records-act/history-of-pra/)
and [Section 46 Code of
Practice](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-practice-on-the-management-of-records-issued-under-section-46-the-freedom-of-information-act-2000).

## Contents

* [Legacy and current figures](#heading-legacy-and-current-figures-22a09784-09e9-49e6-8c8a-e95007fb4299)
* [Data](#heading-data-a18b77ba-23ab-41c3-9eb3-13e2eed3ed54)
* [Retention Instruments](#heading-retention-instruments-1ab363ac-469b-4bbe-9f8c-e8f52066d7c0)
* [Find out more](#heading-find-out-more-2393d11b-6566-4eb2-9363-8442baf7d139)

On an annual basis, The National Archives asks bodies that transfer records
(both physical and digital) to it to provide data on volume and transfer status
of the records they hold.

The [Public Records Act
(PRA)](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/legislation/public-records-act/history-of-pra/)
requires central government departments, and certain other public bodies, to
identify records of historical value. They will then transfer these records for
permanent preservation to The National Archives, or to another appointed place
of deposit, by the time they are 20 years old.

## Legacy and current figures

The Information Management Report (IMR) allows a year-by-year comparison of the
public record bodies that transfer records to The National Archives and their
progress towards the 20-year rule.

These bodies provide data on the volume of records they hold in the following
categories:

* Legacy – records due for transfer or disposal now beyond their PRA due date
* Current – records due for transfer or disposal in 2024

## Data

An overview table presents the information for all bodies that submitted an IMR
for each year. It is sorted A-Z by the name of the public record body.

* ### [Information Management Report data 2026 (XLSX, 15kB)](/wagtail-documents/336/IMR_2026.xlsx)

  File type
  :   XLSX

  File size
  :   15kB

  Extent
  :   93 rows of data

Archived page

### [Explore past data](https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/timeline/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/our-role/transparency/information-management-report/)

Previous data records can be found in the UK Government Web Archive

## Retention Instruments

Public records bodies may retain records past their due date. This requires
coverage by a Retention Instrument approved by the Secretary of State for
Culture, Media and Sport.

For independent advice on questions relating to access to public records the
Secretary of State refers to the [Advisory Council on National Records and
Archives](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about-us/how-we-work/boards-councils-and-groups/advisory-council/).

The IMR presents the figures provided in two groups. The first group relates to
records covered by a Retention Instrument (and thereby compliant with the PRA).

The second group are records not covered by a Retention Instrument (and thereby
not compliant with the PRA). Public bodies can submit applications for retention
throughout the year.

These applications are considered quarterly at the meetings of the Advisory
Council on National Records and Archives. Therefore compliance figures from the
IMR are subject to change.

## Find out more

* Access a [summary of the public records](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/our-role/plans-policies-performance-and-projects/our-performance/) transferred to The National Archives each year
* Find out [how the records transfer process works](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/manage-information/selection-and-transfer/)
* Read about the [legislation that shapes how the government record is managed](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/manage-information/policy-process/legal-obligations-transfer/)

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