Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted
Paragraph: 28
It is disappointing that the Cabinet Office rejected the Information Commissioner’s Office’s offer to undertake...
Conclusion
It is disappointing that the Cabinet Office rejected the Information Commissioner’s Office’s offer to undertake a Freedom of Information Audit, and we are concerned both by this refusal itself and by the precedent this may set across Government. The Cabinet Office’s decision was misjudged given the Information Commissioner’s Office’s Freedom of Information expertise and, importantly, the Commissioner’s independence. The Information Commissioner’s Office, as the official statutory regulator for Freedom of Information and Data Protection, is better placed than any other organisation to undertake a review of this kind. The basis for this rejection therefore remains unclear, and we are unconvinced by the explanations from the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office’s internal review, launched only after the Committee initiated this inquiry, is no substitute for the independent assurance that the Information Commissioner’s Office would be able to provide.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government defends its decision to conduct an internal review of FOI handling, citing the Information Commissioner's Office's statistics on FOI compliance and stating that the internal review will provide further reassurance about the nature and role as well as looking to provide a positive opportunity to enhance practice where possible.
Paragraph Reference:
28
Government Response
The government responded to this report on 7 July 2022. No passage in that response could be matched to this conclusion. Read the response document ↗