Thread by @CampaignFoI

The FOI Act is a vital tool for journalists and campaigners. Here is a thread of some of the things we’ve recently learnt through #FOI requests 👇

If you want to protect your right to know, please consider supporting our urgent funding campaign crowdfunder.co.uk/fight-secrecy

A report from a 2016 pandemic preparation exercise warned Government of the need to stockpile PPE and set up a contact tracing system.

Request by @DrMQureshi covered by @Robert_Booth @guardian.

theguardian.com/politics/2021/…

At least 750 allegations of sexual misconduct were made against serving police officers across Britain over five years, with the highest number made against @gmpolice.

Request by @PA covered by @SamuelOsborne93
@SkyNews.

news.sky.com/story/police-f…

There are 8,000 fewer full-time firefighters in the UK than in 2010. London alone has 1,112 fewer firefighters, 10 fewer fire stations and 57 fewer fire engines.

Request by @fbunational covered by @jtalora
@standardnews.

standard.co.uk/news/london/lo…

60% of schools in Wales contain asbestos, despite it being banned in the UK in 1999 and linked to aggressive forms of cancer.

Request by @BBCWalesNews report by @RSLFlint.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-…

Two-fifths of police forces in England and Wales lack rape units. Four of the forces that responded to the request said they had closed units in the past decade.

Request by @guardian covered by @Haroon_Siddique.

theguardian.com/society/2021/o…

A 2019 letter released under #FOI shows that @KwasiKwarteng supported a £1.2bn power cable project linked to a Conservative donor, despite telling @AndrewMarr9 “he had never commented” on it.

Story by @jessicaelgot @guardian.

theguardian.com/politics/2021/…

The number of people seeking support after experiencing a disability hate crime has increased by 22 per cent over the past year.

Request by @VictimSupport covered by @theconradduncan @Independent.

independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/…

Whistleblowing complaints made to the @CareQualityComm rose to their highest recorded level in 2020, with a 43% rise between 2019 and 2020

Story in @carehomepro

carehomeprofessional.com/covid-drives-r…

The @ukhomeoffice spent over £3m on asylum seeker accommodation that was never used. Just 2 months after work began, the plans were dropped.

Request by @LInvestigates covered by @maybulman @Independent.

independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-n…

Nightingale courts launched to keep the justice system running during the pandemic cost more than £17 million in the six months to March 2021. Some courtrooms were used for only a few days.

Report by @GeorgeGreenwood & @JudgeJohnHack @thetimes.

thetimes.co.uk/article/how-mu…

If we’ve missed any recent stories based on #FOI requests you think are important post them in the replies below.👇