Rishi Sunak accused of concealment culture after record number of FoI blocks
The UK government under Rishi Sunak has seen a dramatic decline in transparency, granting freedom of information requests in full at a record low rate. This significant drop suggests a systemic shift toward a "culture of concealment," raising serious concerns about the administration's commitment to the accountability and integrity it promised upon taking office. The stark contrast with previous administrations highlights a troubling trajectory of decreasing openness in public governance. This trend is particularly evident in the Treasury, which ranks at the bottom for disclosure rates, supporting accusations that the prime minister’s past management style is permeating the wider civil service. Despite a surge in the volume of requests received, the government's ability to provide full access to held data has deteriorated. Critics argue that this obstructiveness serves to hide potential failures in economic and administrative management, undermining public trust in the machinery of state. For open data advocates, this situation underscores the critical importance of robust legal frameworks and adequate resources to enforce transparency rights. The widespread criticism from journalists, politicians, and campaigners indicates that without external pressure and strict adherence to information laws, the potential for government opacity increases significantly. It serves as a urgent reminder that open data initiatives require continuous vigilance to prevent political will from eroding public access to information.
Source: theguardian.comPublished on 2023-06-28