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Freedom of Information news update

Useful websites:

www.accessall.info
www.foi.gov.uk
www.foi.nhs.uk
The FOI Act in full
FOI in Scotland
freedomofinformation.co.uk

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Freedom of Information pioneer wants to keep MPs' addresses private
Lord Clark backs a Government order to leave members' home addresses outside the remit of the Act

Agency boss helps reporters lift the lid on council spending
Four-week council audits provide rich source of news

Town hall man stands ground in secrecy row
Medway fails to make headway after showing reporter the door

Minister in bid to settle court lists wrangle
Magistrates court decisions should be made available electronically says Justice Department

Newspaper wins exclusive over 'secret' council salary info
Rejected request for information brings its own story for KM Group

Newspaper backed after PR chief's muck-raking accusation
Despite failed FoI requests paper claims 'moral victory' in council investigation saga

Press freedom campaign group's fresh call for wider FoI remit
Private contractors should be brought under auspices of information act says lobby body

Newspaper wins lengthy battle to see £40,000 council study
Evening Post calls on Information Commissioner to see report – then brands it "unexciting"

Regional press continues to push for information under FOI
See how news stories are being generated through questions to public bodies

Information is the new infrastructure of society - FoI minister
Michael Wills MP speaks out on access to information at editors' conference

Media industry urged to 'fight tooth and nail' over FOI changes
Top newspaper lawyer hits out at Government which has "given up both with judiciary and media"

Commons committee slams moves to restrict FOI
Proposed changes to legislation should be dropped, says report

Controversial FOI bill fails to win support in House of Lords
Opponents hail news as a triumph for democracy

New FOI legislation attempt due
Ten Minute Rule to be invoked as MP makes his point in the Commons

MPs hit back at bid to exclude them from FOI laws
More than 50 put their names to Early Day Motion claiming move would undermine Parliament

MPs vote to exclude themselves from FOI laws
Controversial bill to be discussed in the House of Lords next

Bid to exempt MPs' expenses from FOI due to resume today
Industry body urges MPs to attend the debate and vote against the proposals

Probe finds council went ahead with failed flights plan despite warnings
News group reveals how £300,000 of public money was lost after council ignored its own consultants

Blogger wins key role at Information Commission's office
Freedom of Information blogger Steve Wood has started work for the Information Commissioner

Fresh Govt consultation on FOI to ask: 'Should we change Act at all?'
Call for more reaction from members of the public, public authorities and the media

Industry figures back journalists' right to seek information
'We ask for no special privileges', says Satchwell as criticism of media is answered

Call for media to work with public authorities to to improve FOI
Media's open-ended and "fishing" requests could jeopardise needs of others, says Lord Falconer

Chronicle bids to overturn police decision on sex offenders
Paper appeals for right to reveal number of offenders, not their identities

No fee changes for Scottish FOI after Executive review
Decision is welcomed as work begins to extend Act beyond public authorities

Daily Press waits on FOI appeal over chief exec's quit mystery
Paper asks Information Commissioner to step in after council holds back documents

Controversial speed cam stats handed over after two-year Free Press fight
Tribunal rules on paper's investigation to show speed cameras brought in £1.2m

'Flawed' FOI proposals to cost money, not make savings - report
Charity warns that Government "needs to go back to the drawing board" on FOI changes

Gazette praised in Parliament for FOI use
MP tells debate how his local paper has uncovered valuable information in the public interest

Proposed FOI changes could see campaigning papers 'punished'
"The applicant who regularly appeals against refusals may be made to pay a price for doing so"

Two-year FOI battle over 'Donnygate' quiz ends in victory for the Star
Paper wins fight to reveal which councillors paid expenses back after audit revealed 'jet set' lifestyle

Shock figures and surprise headlines follow FOI flurry for Telegraph
Car crime, drug use and vandalism come under spotlight as paper puts FOI Act to good use

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