UK Open Gov
The UK Open Government Network (OGN) is a coalition of active citizens and civil society organisations committed to making government work better for people through increased transparency, participation and accountability. The OGN mobilises and coordinates civil society to effectively advocate for open government reforms, and works with government to identify, develop and implements the UK’s commitments under the global Open Government Partnership.
New FOI commission heralds “crackdown on the right to know” | Campaign for Freedom of Information
The Campaign for Freedom of Information has released this statement on today’s announcement of a Commission to review the Freedom of Information Act: A major attack on the public’s right to information is likely following the government’s announcement today of a new Commission to review the Freedom of Information Act, according to the Campaign for Freedom of…
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Freedom of information: new Commission – Written statements to Parliament | GOV.UK
Minister for the Cabinet Office Matthew Hancock laid a written statement in Parliament about the new Commission on Freedom of Information. We are committed to being the most transparent government in the world. To deliver that goal we are opening up government to citizens by making it easier to access information and increase the volume…
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Notes from OGN meeting with Minister for the Cabinet Office, Matthew Hancock MP | 2nd July 2015
On 2nd July 2015, the steering group of the Open Government Civil Society Network met with the new Minister for the Cabinet Office, Matthew Hancock MP, to discuss open government in the UK. Please see a note from the meeting below. OGN Meeting with Matthew Hancock MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office Date: Thursday 2nd…
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Matt Hancock speech at UK OGP National Action Plan development launch
The Minister for Cabinet Office, Matt Hancock, launched the development of the UK’s new Open Government Partnership National Action Plan: Thank you for that introduction Simon [Burall, Involve]. You’ve been a leading voice for democratic reform and I know you’ve worked in some tough environments across the world. Your job would have been particularly tough if…
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Stop FOI restrictions | Campaign for Freedom of Information
From the Campaign for Freedom of Information: “The Government is likely to be considering three sets of new restrictions to the FOI Act. These are likely to involve: (1) preventing the disclosure of government policy discussions (2) strengthening the ministerial veto (3) making it easier for authorities to refuse FOI requests on cost grounds The…
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Ideas for Open Gov Manifesto
We want to know how you think government and public services in the UK can be improved through greater transparency, participation and accountability. Fighting corruption. Ensuring public money is well spent. Improving public services. Developing better policy and laws. Knowing how decisions are being made, and who is influencing them. Making the voices of citizens…
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Gove comments indicate government plans to weaken FOI | Campaign for Freedom of Information
The Campaign for Freedom of Information, an Open Government Network member, has expressed concern at yesterday’s Commons statement by the Justice Secretary Michael Gove saying that the government would “revisit” the Freedom of Information Act to ensure that civil servants’ advice to ministers was protected so they could “speak candidly”. The Campaign’s director Maurice Frankel…
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Open Government Manifesto closing 25th June
Six months ago we launched the Open Government Manifesto to collect ideas for what should be in the UK’s new Open Government Partnership National Action Plan. The intention has been to collect ideas from across civil society in preparation for engaging with the government on developing the action plan. During the six months the manifesto has…
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Big win for open business as UK Oil, Gas and Mining companies to disclose real owners | Global Witness
From the Global Witness blog. Signing up to EITI and creating an open register of who owns companies were both commitments included in the UK’s 2013-15 open government action plan. “Today Britain took a big step towards the kind of transparency that will help businesses and investors everywhere know who they are dealing with. An…
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Launch of the UK Open Government Action Plan process
On 13th July, the UK Open Government Network and Cabinet Office Transparency Team are jointly hosting an event to kick off the development of the UK’s third Open Government Partnership National Action Plan. See the full details and registration for the event >> The UK’s 2016-18 Open Government Action Plan – which will set out specific,…
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