Ninth Report - The Cabinet Office Freedom of Information Clearing House
Select Committee
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 505
29 April 2022
Recommendations
1 results
10
Acknowledged
Para 58
The Cabinet Office should drive a cultural shift from mere baseline compliance with the Freedom...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Conclusions (3) Observations and findings — click to expand
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 19
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 …
Government Response 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 Sue Langley OBE.
9
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 57
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 …
Government Response 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.
12
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 66
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 …
Government Response 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 responsibility where appropriate.