A Bill to amend the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to remove provisions permitting Ministers to overrule decisions of the Information Commissioner and Information Tribunal; to limit the time allowed for public authorities to respond to requests involving consideration of the public interest; to extend the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to cover private companies, social enterprises and charities contracted to carry out work for public authorities and the Royal Household; and for connected purposes.
House of Commons
13 May 2016
This bill would change the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to reduce ministers’ power to overrule decisions by the Information Commissioner and the Information Tribunal, shorten the time public authorities have to respond to requests when the public interest is being considered, and extend FOIA coverage to private sector contractors such as private companies, social enterprises and charities working for public authorities and the Royal Household. The goal is to boost transparency by widening who must follow FOIA and by speeding up certain responses.
Generated 21 February 2026
The 2015-16 session of Parliament has ended and this Bill will make no further progress.
This Bill was introduced to Parliament on Tuesday 19 January 2016 under the Ten Minute Rule. This allows an MP to make his or her case for a new bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes. An opposing speech may also be made before the House decides whether or not the bill should be introduced. If the MP is successful the bill is taken to have had its first reading.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
