Recommendation 10

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.