Worthy, Benjamin (2008) The future of freedom of information in the UK. Political Quarterly 79 (1), pp. 100-108. ISSN 1467-923X.
Abstract
This article investigates the future of Britain's Freedom of Information Act [FOIA]. It argues that the UK FOI regime faces a set of unique opportunities and challenges that may decisively impact upon the shape of FOI policy in Britain. On the one hand, the increasingly assertive FOIA appeal bodies, constant pressure from requesters, alongside the more open habits practised within the Civil Service, may serve together to ‘open up’ government information access. This in turn may widen and strengthen the British FOI regime. On the other hand, a series of potential obstacles may inhibit or undermine the new FOI regime. Delay and inconsistency, potential record management problems and ‘gaps’ within the scope of the Act, all present possible barriers to further openness. Most of all, following the two recent attempts to limit the scope of the legislation, the intentions and actions of the government will be crucial in shaping the future of FOI policy.
Metadata
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Keyword(s) / Subject(s): | Freedom of Information, openness, secrecy |
| School: | Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences |
| Research Centres and Institutes: | Birkbeck Centre for British Political Life |
| Depositing User: | Sarah Hall |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Nov 2013 13:22 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Aug 2023 17:08 |
| URI: | https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/8693 |
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