Exam Q - Constitutional Change - Freedom of Information Flashcards
Labour Reforms (1997-2010)
Freedom of Information Act 1998
- No protection prior in constitution, lagging behind USA or Europe - 1997 had two strands to freedom of info:
+ Right to see information held about them by public bodies - includes records held on computer files, established under Data Protection Act 1998.
+ Right to see documents and reports held by the government and the agencies.
- It made the move to a more open Government and greater access to info but it had a limited ability to suppress information so the media/Parli only have access to it.
- If implanted, the freedom of information would have ended the British culture of secrecy in government.
Did the Labour reforms make it more democratic?
Yes:
+ Citizens can see information about themselves from public bodies and access government documents unless it threatens national security.
+ Example: Scandal of Expenses - Money for MPs to buy a second home, but some London MPs bought one to rent it out = considered an abuse of public money.
No:
+ Actual act did not come into existence until 2005.
+ Govt able to suppress information to media/Parli.
Conservative reforms 2015 present
Data Protection Act 2018
- Updates and replaces 1998 = complementing the EU’s GDPR Act (all responsible for using personal data has to follow strict rules called ‘data protection principles’ - ensure the info is: used fairly, lawfully and transparently.)
+ Criminalises obtaining, selling or disclosing data without consent.
+ Ensures data is kept up to date, and kept for a limited time before being removed.
+ Stronger legal protection for more sensitive information such as race, ethnic minorities, political opinions and religious beliefs.
Was the Conservative reform more democratic?
Yes:
+ Sets new standards for protecting general data, in accordance with the GDPR, giving people more control over use of their data, and providing them with new rights to move or delete personal data.
