24th March 2016
On 7th March, representatives from Welsh government and civil society met to discuss the Open Government Partnership in Wales, hosted by the Open Government Network. Attendees Adrian Roper, Cartrefi Cymru Anna Nicholl, WCVA Caren Fullerton, Welsh Government Doreen Grove, Scottish Government Esko Reinikainen, Satori Lab Lizetta Lyster, UK Government Michelle Brook, Demsoc Owain Llŷr ap Gareth,…
10th March 2016
Following the publication of the Commission on Freedom of Information’s findings and ahead of the publication of the UK’s 2016-18 open government action plan, the Campaign for Freedom of Information and Open Government Network have written to Matthew Hancock (Minister for the Cabinet Office) proposing a commitment to extend Freedom of Information to public service…
8th March 2016
During February, the Open Government Network co-hosted with government four workshops to further develop commitments for the UK’s third Open Government Partnership National Action Plan. Notes of each of the workshops can be found via these links: Access to information / Open data Anti-corruption Civic participation Public accountability Working groups Over the coming weeks, small…
7th March 2016
One of the headline commitments in the UK’s 2013-15 OGP National Action Plan was to publish an open register of beneficial ownership – those who own or benefit from companies registered in the UK. For the UK’s upcoming action plan, the Open Government Network is calling on government to go a step further to: Ensure that all…
1st March 2016
Following the publication of the Commission on Freedom of Information’s recommendations and the Government’s “preliminary views, members of the Open Government Network have issued the following responses. This post will be updated as new responses are published. Article 19 ARTICLE 19 WELCOMES GOVERNMENT DECISION NOT TO AMEND FOIA BUT CONCERNS REMAIN ARTICLE 19 welcomes the announcement of UK…
1st March 2016
Matt Hancock (Minister for the Cabinet Office) laid the following written statement in Parliament in response to the “Independent Commission on Freedom of Information’s” final report: This government is committed to making government more transparent, so taxpayers can hold the state to account both on how their money is being spent and how decisions are…
1st March 2016
The “Independent Commission on Freedom of Information”, established by the Government on 17 July 2015 to review the Freedom of Information Act, has published its findings and recommendations. The Commission held a call for evidence, which received over 30,000 submissions, including from the Open Government Network and its members, as well as two oral evidence…
27th February 2016
On the 17th February Involve, the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and the Scottish Government held an Open Government workshop at The Gathering 2016 – Scotland’s largest annual Third Sector event. Opening this year’s Gathering First Minister Nicola Sturgeon spoke about the Scottish Government’s commitment to Open Government, and stated that the Open Government…
11th February 2016
During February, the Open Government Network co-hosted with government four workshops to further develop the commitments for the UK’s third Open Government Partnership National Action Plan. The sessions were well attended and we’re grateful to everyone who gave up their time and brought lots of energy to the discussions. There was lots of discussion in…
27th January 2016
Open government is the simple but powerful idea that governments and institutions work better for citizens when they are transparent, engaging and accountable. As a member of the global Open Government Partnership, the UK and devolved governments must publish an open government action plan in June 2016, setting out clear, specific and measurable open government…