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
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office …
Through disclosures about the Clearing House over time, the Government has sought to make amends...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 Sue Langley OBE.
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9 Conclusion Acknowledged
Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office …
A strong functioning Freedom of Information system requires proactive leadership with a strongly supportive culture...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 Acknowledged
Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office …
The Cabinet Office should drive a cultural shift from mere baseline compliance with the Freedom...
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 Acknowledged
Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office …
The Information Commissioner’s Office plays an important enforcement and advocacy role for Freedom of Information.
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 … Read more
Government Response
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 responsibility where appropriate.
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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