Freedom of Information Act.

Doesn't look like a balanced panel to me. Jack Straw in particular is one who could well be scared of FOI requests, seeing he was so closely involved in the Iraq war, and I fear that there are many politicians of all parties who are not terribly keen on letting the rest of us know more than is good for us. What about some representation from other groups, such as Amnesty International, Liberty, and the broadcasters for a start?

We can hope

Am I being cynical here but by "setting up a commission" to look into something isn't that a quickfix way to stop anyone accessing any info whilst the commission is looking into something? Commissions can last for a very long time too - or have I just been watching too many re-runs of "Yes Minster"? Re-reading this post sounds a bit like Humphrey . I know it isn't funny really durhamjen - sorry.

It's a way of locking us out of information and not having to make statements to explain what has happened and why.

This lot were voted in - we have the government we deserve, as the saying goes. They will pursue their agenda unfettered.

Let us hope that the divided opposition will be able to come together to try and curb the excesses.

Damn all we can do, this government not only moves the goal posts to suit, they put the posts on wheels

This was in the Financial Times.

www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2015/07/20/the-uks-councils-are-creaking-under-the-pressure-of-cuts/

It looks like lots of his support is leaking now.
Just shows how much we need the FOI act.

There was a bill going through parliament last year to ask for the NHS to be included in the FOI act. It got left behind when the election happened, and there is no more bill about the FOI act.

What do you mean dj? That the NHS is not being included?

The government wants to change the FOI act, in its favour, obviously.
At the moment, if you ask your CCG about who owns what in your area under the FOI act, you are usually told they cannot tell you because of commercial confidentiality.
Some MPs wanted to have the NHS being completely open about which private healthcare companies work in which hospitals and surgeries.

Careuk, Virgin and other private healthcare companies are allowed to take over contracts using the NHS logo.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/government-review-of-foi-criticised-as-a-step-back-that-could-water-down-the-act-10403199.html