Recommendations & Conclusions
4 items
1
Conclusion
Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office Freed…
Acknowledged
Through disclosures about the Clearing House over time, the Government has sought to make amends for the absence of information regarding a core component of the Government’s Freedom of Information machinery. However, the level of disclosure falls short of what was previously available, and what was requested by our predecessor …
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Through disclosures about the Clearing House over time, the Government has sought to make amends for the absence of information regarding a core component of the Government’s Freedom of Information machinery. However, the level of disclosure falls short of what was previously available, and what was requested by our predecessor Committee. We note that data on the volume of cases was previously available, showing number of references by Department on a monthly basis. Experts in Freedom of Information—including the Information Commissioner’s Office itself—still find themselves unable to comment on whether the Clearing House provides a necessary or helpful role in that landscape. We note with concern the lack of effective record keeping in the Clearing House on its performance, which falls below the standard expected for a central Government body.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the Committee’s concerns about the level of transparency about the Cabinet Office’s Clearing House function and states that information is available on gov.uk and is in line with information published by previous administrations. They will await recommendations of the review led by …
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9
Conclusion
Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office Freed…
Acknowledged
A strong functioning Freedom of Information system requires proactive leadership with a strongly supportive culture and an enthusiastic tone at the top of Government. We therefore welcome the strong tone adopted by the Government in response to critical press coverage of the Clearing House. However, we note a lack of …
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A strong functioning Freedom of Information system requires proactive leadership with a strongly supportive culture and an enthusiastic tone at the top of Government. We therefore welcome the strong tone adopted by the Government in response to critical press coverage of the Clearing House. However, we note a lack of consistency in the Government’s overall approach to Freedom of Information—for example the new proposed statutory arrangements for the Advanced Research and Invention Agency. This example evidences a slide away from transparency being viewed as helpful towards a view that it is a hindrance of Government being able to get on with work. This is a concerning trend and a wrong characterisation that should be challenged at the very top of Government. The Government lacks an approach that advocates for the Freedom of Information Act, and ensures that Government business is carried out in a way that helps to preserve the public record. A more proactive approach could see Ministers championing the Act though speeches, articles and other initiatives that underline the importance of the Act.
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Government response AI summary
The government states it is fully committed to transparency and routinely discloses information well beyond its FOI obligations, and releases more proactive publications than ever before. They state they have no plans to revisit the ARIA decision.
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10
Recommendation
Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office Freed…
Acknowledged
The Cabinet Office should drive a cultural shift from mere baseline compliance with the Freedom of Information Act to a greater advocacy for the core principles and tenets of the Act through proactive leadership across Government including examining whether there is best practice to learn from international comparisons. The Committee …
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The Cabinet Office should drive a cultural shift from mere baseline compliance with the Freedom of Information Act to a greater advocacy for the core principles and tenets of the Act through proactive leadership across Government including examining whether there is best practice to learn from international comparisons. The Committee expects to see stronger tone on the benefits to good government from Freedom of Information, and greater demonstrable action on steps taken to improve outcomes for Freedom of Information applicants. The Government should, for example, drive stronger timeliness by responding to reviews within the 20 days suggested by the Information 26 The Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Clearing House Commissioners Office.
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Government response AI summary
The Government states it is fully committed to transparency and discloses information beyond FOI obligations. Mentions the Code of Practice issued under section 45 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 but does not commit to any new action.
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12
Conclusion
Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office Freed…
Acknowledged
The Information Commissioner’s Office plays an important enforcement and advocacy role for Freedom of Information. The Committee notes with concern the financial pressures facing the organisation which are not commensurate with the caseload it faces. The Committee notes the unsatisfactory Machinery of Government split with financial responsibility for the Information …
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The Information Commissioner’s Office plays an important enforcement and advocacy role for Freedom of Information. The Committee notes with concern the financial pressures facing the organisation which are not commensurate with the caseload it faces. The Committee notes the unsatisfactory Machinery of Government split with financial responsibility for the Information Commissioner’s Office’s Freedom of Information budget sitting with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport whilst the policy responsibility for Freedom of Information lies with the Cabinet Office.
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Government response AI summary
The Government believes it is important that the Information Commissioner’s Office is funded at a sufficient level to enable the Commissioner to carry out his statutory functions. DCMS works with the Cabinet Office to remain updated on Freedom of Information policy and to discuss budgetary …
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