The Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Clearing House

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 29 Jun 2021 Closed: 20 Oct 2022 Parliament page
The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee is holding an inquiry into the Cabinet Office’s implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
7 Recommendations
7 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
9 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 15 events
7 Jul
2022
Report published
28 Jun
2022
Correspondence
28 Jun
2022
Correspondence
8 Jun
2022
Correspondence
8 Jun
2022
Correspondence
17 May
2022
Correspondence
29 Apr
2022
Report published
8 Feb
2022
Correspondence
14 Dec
2021
Correspondence
25 Nov
2021
Oral evidence
25 Nov
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
26 Oct
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
25 Nov 2021
View on parliament.uk
The Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Clearing House
Andrew White · Information Commissioner's Office Elizabeth Denham CBE · Information Commissioner's Office
26 Oct 2021
View on parliament.uk
The Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Clearing House
Dr Ben Worthy · Birkbeck, University of London Dr Mária Žuffová · European University Institute Gavin Freeguard · Connected by Data Jenna Corderoy · Open Democracy Martin Rosenbaum Mr George Greenwood · The Times and Sunday Times
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Clearin… HC 505 29 Apr 2022 14 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Accepted
Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office …
A greater level of transparency is required about the Clearing House.
A greater level of transparency is required about the Clearing House. To further allay concerns about the Clearing House, a greater volume of data on its performance should be published. As a minimum, the Cabinet Office needs to publish the … Read more
Government Response
FOI compliance statistics are already published on a quarterly basis on gov.uk and states that in 2021, the Cabinet Office’s performance consistently met and exceeded the ICO’s published standard. The government has shared the letter from the Director General for Propriety and Ethics to the then Information Commissioner setting out the reasons why they believe that an internal review rather than an external audit is a proportionate response.
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3 Conclusion Accepted
Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office …
It is disappointing that the Cabinet Office rejected the Information Commissioner’s Office’s offer to undertake...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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.
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4 Conclusion Accepted
Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office …
Further, the Committee notes with concern the Cabinet Office’s failure to deliver on its promise...
Further, the Committee notes with concern the Cabinet Office’s failure to deliver on its promise of a short internal review. The Cabinet Office also missed an opportunity to expose itself to a rigorous third-party review which could have improved its … Read more
Government Response
The government claims all FOI requests are handled on an applicant blind basis and that Clearing House's processes are compliant with legislation. It states it would be wrong for the Cabinet Office to intervene in another department's procedures and decisions.
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8 Recommendation Accepted
Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office …
The Cabinet Office should review these practices and their own compliance with the Freedom of...
The Cabinet Office should review these practices and their own compliance with the Freedom of Information Act to model best practice. This should include, in particular, the adoption, where possible, of applicant-blind processing of requests; clear guidance on the very … Read more
Government Response
The government states that all FOI requests are handled on an applicant blind basis and the Clearing House’s processes are completely in line with relevant legislation. They also state that it would be wrong for the Cabinet Office to intervene in another department’s procedures and decisions.
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Government Response AI assessment · 14 of 7 classified
Accepted 4
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 2
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 2
Total 7 recs + 7 conclusions
Correspondence 9 letters
28 Jun 2022 To committee Letter from Lord True CBE, Minister of State, Cabinet Office on the Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Clearing House Internal Review, dated 17.6.22
Parliament page
28 Jun 2022 To committee Letter from John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner, Information Commissioner's Office on the Cabinet Office Freedom of information Clearing House internal review, dated 21.6.22
Parliament page
8 Jun 2022 From committee Letter to Jonathan Edwards, Information Commissioner on the Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Clearing House Internal Review, dated 8.6.22
Parliament page
8 Jun 2022 From committee Letter to Sue Langley OBE, Lead Non-Executive Director, Home Office on the Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Clearing House Internal Review, dated 8.6.22
Parliament page
17 May 2022 To committee Letter from Lord True, Minister of State, Cabinet Office on the PACAC inquiry into the Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Clearing House, dated 28.4.22
Parliament page
8 Feb 2022 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP, Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster on Cabinet Office's Freedom of Information Clearing House, dated 1.2.22
Parliament page
14 Dec 2021 Correspondence from James Dipple-Johnstone on The Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Clearing House dated 3 December 2021
Parliament page
7 Sep 2021 To committee Letter from Chloe Smith MP, Minister of State for the Constitution and Devolution on the Clearing House, dated 31.8.21
Parliament page
29 Jun 2021 From committee Letter to Navendu Mishra MP on Cabinet Office Clearing House Judgement, dated 29.6.21
Parliament page