Tom Brake’s bill to strengthen Freedom of Information

Our place to talk – an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK.

The most-read independent website by and for Lib Dem supporters. Not paid for by trade unions or millionaires.

Advert

Tom Brake’s bill to strengthen Freedom of Information

By The Voice | Tue 19th January 2016 - 2:42 pm

Follow @libdemvoice

Today Tom Brake introduced a bill under the 10 minute rule to limit the powers of ministers to block freedom of information requests and extend the coverage of the Freedom of Information Act to contractors carrying out duties commissioned by the public sector.

Today I've introduced a 10 minute rule bill that aims to extend the remit of the Freedom of Information Act #extendfoi

— Tom Brake MP (@thomasbrake) January 19, 2016

Tom said

Strong FOI legislation is a good barometer for the health of any democracy, any attempt to dilute Freedom of Information legislation represents a threat to our democracy.

As we have seen with the activities of companies like G4S and Serco, and charities like Kids Company, a growing proportion of work, previously undertaken by the public sector and therefore subject to FOI, is now undertaken by other organisations not covered by FOI.

How many Medway Secure Training Centre scandals could be prevented if FOI had applied to private sector operators doing public sector work. We need to act on the recommendation by the Public Accounts Committee in 2014 and include these private contractors in scope.

Read more by The Voice .
This entry was posted in News.

Advert

Post a Comment

Lib Dem Voice welcomes comments from everyone but we ask you to be polite, to be on topic and to be who you say you are. You can read our comments policy in full here. Please respect it and all readers of the site.

To have your photo next to your comment please signup your email address with Gravatar.

Your email is never published. Required fields are marked *

Name *

Email *

Website

Comment

Please complete the name of this site, Liberal Democrat ...?

Most Read

Op-eds

What can the Liberal Democrats learn from New Zealand’s Opportunity Party? (Daniel Duggan)
Is the NHS still safe enough – and if not, what needs to change? (Judy Abel)
Ed Davey quizzed on EU, slavery reparations and Lib Dem relevance (Caron Lindsay)
Scottish Lib Dems defeat SNP on Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill (Caron Lindsay)
How housebuilding can tackle the cost of living crisis and boost growth (Rob Blackie)

Advert

Recent Comments

Simon Robinson
As far as I can tell from the DNS records, the entire family of sites has only existed for just over a month - since 17 September 2026. The LibDem one is puzzl...
Julian Tisi
This is the first time in a while that I have been on LibDem Voice; I wish more people saw this article because IMO it speaks to exactly what we need to do and ...
Peter Davies
After the Norman conquest, the majority of the English were forced into serfdom. The descendents of the Normans are still significantly richer than the descenda...
Peter Davies
The levels probably reflect the fact that they don't currently have any MPs but the direction is right. I wouldn't call it centrist though....
Richard Cripps
In the discussion about reparations - an irrational notion for all the reasons mentioned - no one seems to mention that there are more slaves/trafficked people ...