UK: Protection of Freedoms Bill
The UK Home Office has published a press release titled: Protection of Freedoms Bill - The Protection of Freedoms Bill was introduced into the House of Commons on 11 February 2011.
The press release under the heading: What will the Protection of Freedoms Bill do? states amongst other intentions:
- freedom of information – extending the freedom of information regime to cover companies wholly owned by two or more public authorities
- right to data – creating an obligation on departments and other public authorities to proactively release datasets in a reusable format
- Office of the Information Commission – changes to the appointment and accountability arrangements to enhance the independence of the Information Commission
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The UK Parliament Protection of Freedoms Bill 2010-11 description states:
“to make provision about the release and publication of datasets held by public authorities and to make other provision about freedom of information and the Information Commissioner;”
The progress of the Protection of freedoms bill through the UK Parliament can be followed under Bill Stages.
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Information Commissioners Office
The Information Commissioner has a statement titled: ICO response to the government’s announcement on the Protection of Freedoms Bill
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UK Guardian Datablog
Protection of freedoms bill: what does it mean for free data? The new freedom bill should make getting hold of government data easier
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UK Freedom of Information Blog
Campaign welcomes FOI changes in Protection of Freedoms Bill but calls for them to be extended
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The UK Ministry of Justice published a news release titled: Opening up public bodies to public scrutiny
The news release states amongst other topics:
New plans to extend the scope of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) to open up government and other bodies to public scrutiny, were unveiled by the Ministry of Justice today.
The changes will make it easier for people to use FOI to find and use information about the public bodies they rely on and their taxes pay for, by:
- increasing the number of organisations to which FOI requests can be made, bringing in bodies such as the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Financial Services Ombudsman, and higher education admissions body UCAS; and also all companies wholly owned by any number of public authorities
UK To Add Open Data Principles To FOIA
UK ICO: public bodies must comply!
UK ICO issues statement on EC Action
EC gives UK 2 months to strengthen powers of ICO
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