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Public sector executives call for restrictions on freedom of information Public sector executives call for restrictions on freedom of information
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Tom Watson has condemned senior executives from across the public sector who are calling for a curb on the Freedom of Information Act (FoI).Tom Watson has condemned senior executives from across the public sector who are calling for a curb on the Freedom of Information Act (FoI).
Labour’s deputy leader said that instead of attempting to water down the law used to expose the MPs’ expenses scandal and the black spider memos, public bodies should instead reduce the laws’ implementation costs by opening up their documents to the public.Labour’s deputy leader said that instead of attempting to water down the law used to expose the MPs’ expenses scandal and the black spider memos, public bodies should instead reduce the laws’ implementation costs by opening up their documents to the public.
His strongly-worded comments follow the release of submissions to the freedom of information commission, set up by the government to review the law, which disclose that NHS managers, university heads, senior police officers and council executives have claimed that answering requests is a drain on resources that could be used to pay for other services. His strongly worded comments follow the release of submissions to the freedom of information commission, set up by the government to review the law, which disclose that NHS managers, university heads, senior police officers and council executives have claimed that answering requests is a drain on resources that could be used to pay for other services.
Defenders of the act – some of whom have also put forward submissions – claim it has been used to uncover more than 200 major public sector scandals. These include the abuse of MPs’ expenses, the disastrous implementation of the Liverpool care pathway for terminally ill people, increasing pay and expense levels of council chief executives, the black spider memos from Prince Charles to government ministers, and the growing number of racism claims within the Met.Defenders of the act – some of whom have also put forward submissions – claim it has been used to uncover more than 200 major public sector scandals. These include the abuse of MPs’ expenses, the disastrous implementation of the Liverpool care pathway for terminally ill people, increasing pay and expense levels of council chief executives, the black spider memos from Prince Charles to government ministers, and the growing number of racism claims within the Met.
In a statement released to the Guardian, Watson said the cost of FoI requests to public bodies is minimal and taxpayers would pay a far higher price if there was a return to the days of closed government.In a statement released to the Guardian, Watson said the cost of FoI requests to public bodies is minimal and taxpayers would pay a far higher price if there was a return to the days of closed government.
“The executives calling for further curbs need to remember that their large salaries are paid for by the public, and the public have a right to know what they are up to.“The executives calling for further curbs need to remember that their large salaries are paid for by the public, and the public have a right to know what they are up to.
“It is wrong for local authorities to warn that vital services could be at risk simply because they are required to make their decisions public. The best way to reduce FOI costs is to make information freely available to start with,” he said.“It is wrong for local authorities to warn that vital services could be at risk simply because they are required to make their decisions public. The best way to reduce FOI costs is to make information freely available to start with,” he said.
The government commission examining FoI claims it wishes to examine the balance between transparency and the government’s desire to keep information private. Its official remit says it will consider the act’s impact on the government’s ability to provide “robust protection” to documents and create “safe spaces” for decision making.The government commission examining FoI claims it wishes to examine the balance between transparency and the government’s desire to keep information private. Its official remit says it will consider the act’s impact on the government’s ability to provide “robust protection” to documents and create “safe spaces” for decision making.
Proposed changes include new charges for requests, changes to make it easier to refuse requests on cost grounds, and plans to strengthen ministers’ powers to veto disclosures.Proposed changes include new charges for requests, changes to make it easier to refuse requests on cost grounds, and plans to strengthen ministers’ powers to veto disclosures.
But many critics believe the commission has been constructed to ensure the act’s powers are curbed.But many critics believe the commission has been constructed to ensure the act’s powers are curbed.
Related: Release of Prince Charles's letters shows the point of freedom of informationRelated: Release of Prince Charles's letters shows the point of freedom of information
In a forthright editorial in Thursday’s edition of the Daily Mail, the editor, Paul Dacre, urged Whitehall to back away from its “disturbing” plans to scale back FoI. In a forthright editorial in Thursday’s Daily Mail, the editor, Paul Dacre, urged Whitehall to back away from its “disturbing” plans to scale back FoI.
Guardian News & Media, the publisher of the Guardian and the Observer, rejected the commission’s proposals, and has instead called for the FoI regime to be strengthened to limit redactions, obfuscation and inadequate responses to requests.Guardian News & Media, the publisher of the Guardian and the Observer, rejected the commission’s proposals, and has instead called for the FoI regime to be strengthened to limit redactions, obfuscation and inadequate responses to requests.
The commission has received more than 30,000 submissions from organisations and individuals, some of which have now been uploaded on to its website. The commission has received more than 30,000 submissions from organisations and individuals, some of which have now been uploaded to its website.
They show that NHS England, one of Britain’s biggest employers, has claimed it should be made easier for hospitals and other parts of the health service to reject requests for information on the grounds of cost because it redirects staff and other resources away from the delivery of the authorities’ core public serving function.They show that NHS England, one of Britain’s biggest employers, has claimed it should be made easier for hospitals and other parts of the health service to reject requests for information on the grounds of cost because it redirects staff and other resources away from the delivery of the authorities’ core public serving function.
The General Medical Council, the medical profession’s disciplinary body, would prefer to charge the public for the cost of releases, according to its submission.The General Medical Council, the medical profession’s disciplinary body, would prefer to charge the public for the cost of releases, according to its submission.
The National Police Chiefs Council, which represents the UK’s most senior officers, claims to be facing growing numbers of “unreasonable and burdensome requests” by journalists and members of the public.The National Police Chiefs Council, which represents the UK’s most senior officers, claims to be facing growing numbers of “unreasonable and burdensome requests” by journalists and members of the public.
Manchester city council and Oxfordshire county council have told the commission that vital services might begin to suffer under the burden of requests for information.Manchester city council and Oxfordshire county council have told the commission that vital services might begin to suffer under the burden of requests for information.
The Russell Group, which represents the UK’s 24 most prestigious universities, said answering questions was putting an excessive burden on staff.The Russell Group, which represents the UK’s 24 most prestigious universities, said answering questions was putting an excessive burden on staff.
The makeup of the six-person freedom of information commission has caused concern among campaigners and the press. It includes former home secretaries Jack Straw and Michael Howard, who have both criticised the act, as well as Lord Carlile QC, who said the Guardian’s decision to publish Edward Snowden’s revelations about mass surveillance was a criminal act. The makeup of the six-person FoI commission has caused concern among campaigners and the press. It includes former home secretaries Jack Straw and Michael Howard, who have both criticised the act, as well as Lord Carlile QC, who said the Guardian’s decision to publish Edward Snowden’s revelations about mass surveillance was a criminal act.
Minutes from the commission show that Poli Stuart-Lacey, the head of the communications at the cabinet office which appointed the commission, has been working with its press team.Minutes from the commission show that Poli Stuart-Lacey, the head of the communications at the cabinet office which appointed the commission, has been working with its press team.
In a further development, Labour has expressed concerns over the role of Lord Burns, the chair of the commission, after it emerged that he lobbied a minister in the summer over the proposed privatisation of Channel 4. Burns is also the chair of Channel 4, which expects to be sold off in the new year. The Guardian has confirmed that he discussed the channel’s possible privatisation with John Whittingdale, the culture secretary in August – a month after he was appointed to the commission.In a further development, Labour has expressed concerns over the role of Lord Burns, the chair of the commission, after it emerged that he lobbied a minister in the summer over the proposed privatisation of Channel 4. Burns is also the chair of Channel 4, which expects to be sold off in the new year. The Guardian has confirmed that he discussed the channel’s possible privatisation with John Whittingdale, the culture secretary in August – a month after he was appointed to the commission.
Related: 'Dark ages' warning issued over freedom of information changesRelated: 'Dark ages' warning issued over freedom of information changes
Louise Haigh, the shadow digital minister, questioned whether he is the right person for the FoI job in light of the privatisation. “Given the high stakes of the channel’s current negotiations with the government, ministers may wish to reconsider Lord Burns as the most appropriate chair for an independent inquiry,” she said.Louise Haigh, the shadow digital minister, questioned whether he is the right person for the FoI job in light of the privatisation. “Given the high stakes of the channel’s current negotiations with the government, ministers may wish to reconsider Lord Burns as the most appropriate chair for an independent inquiry,” she said.
A spokesman for the Cabinet Office said Burns faces no conflict of interest over his roles at the commission and Channel 4. “Lord Burns has had a long and distinguished career in the public and private sectors and is exactly the right person to lead the commission,” he said.A spokesman for the Cabinet Office said Burns faces no conflict of interest over his roles at the commission and Channel 4. “Lord Burns has had a long and distinguished career in the public and private sectors and is exactly the right person to lead the commission,” he said.
A spokesperson for the commission said it was pleased to have received so many responses, but the inquiry will now stretch into the new year.A spokesperson for the commission said it was pleased to have received so many responses, but the inquiry will now stretch into the new year.
“The commission on freedom of information is an independent body, with no predetermined view. The commission is pleased to have received so many responses to the call for evidence, all of which are being considered carefully,” she said.“The commission on freedom of information is an independent body, with no predetermined view. The commission is pleased to have received so many responses to the call for evidence, all of which are being considered carefully,” she said.