Freedom of Information charges ruled out

Freedom of Information - your right to know

Freedom of Information requests are to remain free of charge following a review of the law - Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock said the FoI Act was "working well".

The review of the Act was viewed by many as an attempt to curb public access to government and council documents.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said freedom of information is “essential in any democracy” and an important tool for local news organisations and investigative journalists, and had declared his “absolute” opposition to charging for FoI requests.

The Society of Editors Executive Director Bob Satchwell had described the possible introduction of charging for requests as a “major concern”.

In its submission to the review panel Rochdale Borough Council said controls were needed to reduce the financial burden of FoI on public authorities.

However, Mr Hancock said there would be no wholesale changes to the Act.

He said: "After 10 years, we took the decision to review the Freedom of Information Act and we have found it is working well.

"We will not make any legal changes to FoI."

The commission said FoI had "enhanced openness and transparency" and concluded that "there is no evidence that the act needs to be radically altered, or that the right of access to information needs to be restricted".

It added: "In some areas, the commission is persuaded that the right of access should be increased."

However, it said parts of the act were unclear and it made recommendations to improve "clarity and certainty".

The FoI Act, which was introduced in 2000, allows a public "right of access" to information held by public authorities.

It obliges public authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and UK-wide authorities based in Scotland, to publish certain information about their activities, and to respond to requests for information.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35550967