🔴 EXCLUSIVE: 2020 was the worst year on record for UK government secrecy.
Just 41% of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests sent to government departments and agencies were granted.
This is the lowest figure since records began in 2005.
~thread
Just 41% of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests sent to government departments and agencies were granted.
This is the lowest figure since records began in 2005.
~thread
Our new report, #AccessDenied, exposes the extent of the government's attack on FOI.
We found that some departments have far lower FOI disclosure rates than others, with the Foreign Office among the worst offenders, along with the Cabinet Office
We found that some departments have far lower FOI disclosure rates than others, with the Foreign Office among the worst offenders, along with the Cabinet Office
Earlier this year, opinion polling conducted for us found that UK voters are seriously concerned by the government’s secrecy and its failure to answer FOI requests
opendemocracy.net/en/freedom-of-…
opendemocracy.net/en/freedom-of-…
The report reveals a “shocking” web of surveillance spun by oil giant BP that used private spies to keep tabs on environmental campaigners.
BP also shared information with public institutions, including the British Museum and the University of Warwick
opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocra…
BP also shared information with public institutions, including the British Museum and the University of Warwick
opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocra…
The report also shows how requests submitted by Conservative and Scottish National Party MPs have been resisted by the Cabinet Office.
In one case, they dragged out the appeals process by months and is still yet to release the information, despite a judge ordering it to do so
In one case, they dragged out the appeals process by months and is still yet to release the information, despite a judge ordering it to do so
Transparency campaigners say “urgent action is required” and that there needs to be a “sea change in attitudes towards FOI within Whitehall to avoid it spiralling it into an accountability black hole”
The UK government responded by calling the #AccessDenied report 'complete nonsense'.
"It shows a total misunderstanding of the FOI Act and government processes, while misleading readers with outdated statistics"
opendemocracy.net/en/freedom-of-…
"It shows a total misunderstanding of the FOI Act and government processes, while misleading readers with outdated statistics"
opendemocracy.net/en/freedom-of-…
Read the story here ➡️ bit.ly/3Gk6djx
And the full #AccessDenied report is available here ➡️ bit.ly/2ZhI10v
And the full #AccessDenied report is available here ➡️ bit.ly/2ZhI10v
We continue to fight. ✊
But to carry out work like this, we need your help. We're not funded by dark money, adverts or paywalls.
Please consider supporting us with a regular donation: support.opendemocracy.net/project/home
But to carry out work like this, we need your help. We're not funded by dark money, adverts or paywalls.
Please consider supporting us with a regular donation: support.opendemocracy.net/project/home
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