Housing associations, independent schools and other charities are to be excluded from the extension of the freedom of information regime.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) had been expected to add these organisations to the list of public authorities covered directly by the Freedom of Information Act 2000, following a consultation a year ago.
However, it announced this month that they would be excluded, on the basis the burden imposed on them would outweigh the benefits. Tom Morrison, associate at Rollits, says: “There has been a growing feeling among public authorities—and some MPs—that the public’s right of access to information is becoming increasingly inconvenient. Entire administrative structures have had to be put in place solely to deal with information requests since the Act came into force in 2005.”
According to the MoJ, 21% of “resolvable” requests for information under the FOIA were withheld in 2008, compared with 18% in 2005 when the Act came into force.
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