ICO insists freedom of information has "paid for itself many times over"

Freedom of information “must have paid for itself many times over” in the impact it has had on reducing unnecessary public spending, the Information Commissioner has insisted.

In a message issued to mark International Right to Know Day, Christopher Graham said this contribution would only increase in years to come.

He also argued that information rights are a frontline service, “not a mere back office function”, at a time of reduced budgets and calls for transparency and accountability. “Much is expected of all of us working in the information rights field”.

The ICO added: “Freedom of Information shines a torch into the dark corners of public service, identifying wasted money and duplication of effort.”

Graham called on organisations – public or private – to invest in information rights, whether that is through freedom of information, good records management, or data protection.

“Where organisations fall down on their information rights obligations they do so at the cost of destroying citizen and consumer trust,” he claimed.

The ICO highlighted a number of decision notices issued by his organisation in the last 12 months. They include ordering the disclosure of:

• the Youth Justice Board Physical Control in Care Prison Service manual
• details of bonuses received by the City of London Police Force, and
• information relating to the amount the BBC spends on taxi booking services.

“These headline successes by the ICO are only part of the story,” Graham said. “More and more, public authorities are volunteering to publish information without being ordered to do so by the Information Commissioner.  That means less money is being wasted on long drawn out investigations and appeals.”

The ICO's message comes just weeks after Tony Blair revealed in his memoirs that he thought he was a "naive, foolish, irresponsible nincompoop" for introducing the Freedom of Information Act. The former prime minister said freedom of information was used by journalists, when it was intended to be used by the public.

Blair also said FOI caused difficulties because it inhibited governments from having frank discussions.

International Right to Know Day is designed to raise awareness of individuals’ rights to access information held by public authorities and gain better understanding of how public money is spent.