15/02/2012

FOI Charges Are Alarming - Slaughter

Labour have said changes to reports the Government is considering introducing charges for Freedom of Information requests are "alarming".

Labour's Shadow Justice Minister, Andy Slaughter, said it was alarming the Government was looking at introducing a charge for submitting Freedom of Information requests after Labour introduced legislation as a means of opening up the public sector and improving transparency in Government.

"A charge payable for each freedom of information request is nothing less than a tax on transparency."

Mr Slaughter said Freedom of Information was a step towards healthy governance and permited scrutiny of those in power in central and local government and devolved administrations.

"Introducing a charge is a potential backward step, and will unravel Labour’s drive to open up the public sector to wider scrutiny," he added.

(DW/GK)

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