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PRIVACY
Enterprise

Birmingham Post backs campaign to keep Freedom of Information Act free

MPs warn against watering down of act which was brought in 15 years ago to give the public greater access to vital information from public bodies

Some of the Birmingham Post stories obtained using the FoI Act

Politicians from across the region have warned against watering down the Freedom of Information Act.

A consultation has been launched into the act, which was created in 2000 to give the public "right of access" to information held by the authorities they pay for, leading to fears of it being watered down.

In the past, Birmingham City Council has called for a charge for requests, while making it easier to refuse requests on cost grounds is also now on the agenda.

The Post, along with sister title the Birmingham Mail, is calling on the Government to keep its hands off the act, which our journalists have used in dozens of investigations exposing issues the public deserve to know about.

And it has secured the backing of Birmingham MPs from both sides of the floor.

Jack Dromey, Labour MP for Erdington, said he would raise the issue in Parliament as soon as he could, with the commission set to publish findings next month.

"In a free society, freedom of information is essential," he said.

"The powerful must be held to account and should never be able to hide behind a veil of secrecy.