Thursday 16 July 2009

Extension of Freedom Of Information Act

The Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, has announced four new categories which will be covered by the FOI Act; namely acadamies, ACPO, UCAS and the Financial Ombudsman Service. Most noticably companies that receive contracts from the public sector will not be covered.

Now, what was it Gordon Brown said on 10th June last? Oh yes:

"I believe that we should do more to spread the culture and practice of freedom of information. So, as a next step, the Justice Secretary will set out further plans to look at broadening the application of freedom of information to include additional bodies which also need to be subject to greater transparency and accountability. This is the public’s money, and they should know how it is spent." (my emphasis)

If a company wins a contract from the public sector, then surely the money the company earns is the 'publics' money?

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