The results of the Freedom of Information (FoI) consultation are now public. Contrary to initial proposals, and in line with ORG’s position, FoI regulations will not be modified to discourage applications. Equally encouraging are three newly announced inquiries, all touted to ‘make Government more open’.

As you may remember from our collaborative drafting process, proposals would have blocked many of the more politically sensitive FoI requests on the grounds of cost. Along with the majority of other respondents, we argued that penny pinching was contrary to the spirit of the legislation. Due in part at least to this public pressure the Government have been forced to listen, and cool off on these proposals.

In the very same announcement, Michael Wills MP also spoke of 3 separate moves toward a new culture of ‘openness’ in Government. First, they will review the ‘30-year-rule’, which is the period after which government records become historical and are handed over to the The National Archives. Of more interest to ORG, is a review of ‘the way we share and protect personal information in the public and private sector’, to be led by representatives of the Information Commissioner’s Office and the Wellcome Trust. Last but certainly not least, is a consultation on extending the application of FoI regulations to include ‘a range of organisations that perform public functions’ i.e. private contractors doing government works. Watch this space for regular updates on each of these issues.

The last one is particularly interesting. ORG would have used these kind of powers in our recent e-voting campaign, when some of our FoI applications were turned down on the grounds of commercial confidentiality because the materials were held by private firms.

The Information Commissioner’s Annual Report is launched today. Speaking at the launch Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner, will say:

“Over the last year we have seen far too many careless and inexcusable breaches of people’s personal information. The roll call of banks, retailers, government departments, public bodies and other organisations which have admitted serious security lapses is frankly horrifying.”

“How can laptops holding details of customer accounts be used away from the office without strong encryption? How can millions of store cards fall into the wrong hands? How can online recruitment allow applicants to see each others’ forms? How can any bank chief executive face customers and shareholders and admit that loan rejections, health insurance applications, credit cards and bank statements can be found, unsecured in non-confidential waste bags?”

According to the report, the public’s awareness of data protection rights has risen to an all-time high of 82% and more and more people understand that personal information must be handled appropriately. To ensure personal information stays private, the Information Commissioner has called for stronger audit and inspection powers for his Office. Currently the ICO can only audit organisations’ information handling practices with their consent. The Commissioner wants the right to inspect and audit practices anywhere where poor practice is suspected.

The House of Commons voted last Friday for legislation “designed to protect MPs, not their constituents” by exempting themselves from the Freedom of Information Act. The story is well covered by blogs and traditional media. There is some hope at least the Lords will prevent this Private Members Bill reaching the statute books.

Here’s a list of who voted which way. If your MP voted ‘aye’, you should drop them a line to ask how this measure increases accountability and transparency in government. If your MP was absent from the vote, then write and tell them why this legislation only increases our distrust of the political establishment so must be opposed.

And if one attempt to limit use of the FOI regulations wasn’t insult enough, the Ministry for Justice are also trying to save politician’s blushes under the guise of saving a few quid. Please help us submit to the ongoing consultation by contributing to our consultation wiki page.