A new report calls for sweeping changes to improve transparency and accountability.
Too much of Scotland’s Freedom of Information (FOI) law is not fit for purpose, campaigners say.
At a meeting on Tuesday, MSPs will be presented with a new “traffic light” report recommending sweeping changes to the legislation designed to improve transparency and accountability.
The report, from the Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland (CFoIS), comes 15 years after the launch of FOI in Scotland.
It marks each part of the legislation red, amber or green, and proposes improvements which campaigners say would benefit the public interest.
A report on the legislation from the parliament’s Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee is due to follow in the coming weeks.
Carole Ewart, Convener of CFoIS, said: “We are rightly celebrating 15 years of this very important and welcome legislation, something Scotland should be proud of.
“But we need an Act that the country can continue to be proud of and unfortunately we have found that too much of the Act is not fit for purpose, including the kinds of bodies it covers and the kinds of exemptions allowed, not all of which are subject to the public interest test.”
The report wants to see FOI rights “follow the public pound” as part of a reformed and reinvigorated law that would see arms-length bodies included in the legislation. It also calls for a strong culture of transparency and accountability, including more proactive publication of information.
The meeting will be attended by representatives from Unison, who will highlight the impact of austerity cuts on FOI, which have led to staff facing additional pressures to complete requests. The union represents many staff working directly on FOI or providing information for FOI responses.
Stephen Low, Unison Scotland policy officer, said: “Our recent survey of members working in FOI showed that many are overworked and under pressure and we have asked the committee to emphasise the importance of sufficient staff, training and resources to deliver on the public’s right to know.”
