2 year consultation results in 4 more bodies being covered by FoI

The Ministry of Justice has named four public bodies that should be covered by Freedom of Information laws - but campaigners have said the list does not go far enough.

Academy schools, the Association of Chief Police Officers, university admissions body Ucas and the Financial Ombudsman Service would be included within the scope of FoI under the new plans.

Justice secretary Jack Straw said the government would consult the bodies with a view to bringing them within the laws early in the next parliamentary session.

He also said ministers would work with Network Rail and utility companies to consider how the freedom of information regime might also apply to them.

Extending FoI to prisons, detention centres and foster care homes run by private contractors on behalf of public authorities was a "matter under review", the Ministry of Justice said.

The moves follow a consultation on extending the Freedom of Information Act, which defines what information certain public bodies are required to produce on request.

Freedom of Information Act scope to be extended - a bit (Press Gazette, 17 July 2009)

Freedom of Information Act to be extended
(Hold the Front Page, 17 July 2009)

UK: Government to extend Freedom of Information Act (EditorsWeblog.org, 17 July 2009)

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