THIS government doesn’t like scrutiny.

Ministers have cut the funding given to opposition parties which allows them to properly analyse, amend and oppose legislation (despite the bill for ministers own advisors going up).

They are attacking the Trade Unions through the Trade Union Bill. And, now, they plan to undermine a crucial tool which allows people to keep an eye on what they’re doing.

The Freedom of Information Act, which was passed almost 16 years ago, gives us the right to access Government data. It was a landmark piece of legislation – handing all of us a little more power to hold the Government, local councils and other public bodies to account.

Over the years Freedom of Information (FOI) laws have allowed us to find out about the MP’s expenses scandal, ambulance delays and the police using tasers on children. Journalists from The Argus have used the law to reveal key stories like the truth about crime statistics and a shortfall in funding for the seafront arches.

Is it any wonder – with so many examples of this law allowing powerful people’s actions to be scrutinised – that the Government is trying to weaken it? Plans drawn up by the Tories would see people being charged to make an FOI request and give the authorities more power to reject requests. Most people, and hard up local papers, will be locked out of getting the information they need.

Knowledge is power. Without knowing what politicians and those in power are doing it’s not possible to properly hold them to account. Last week I tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament urging them to drop plans to amend the FOI Act. There is no value in fixing something that is not broken – and ministers will seriously undermine their commitment to transparency if they insist on pushing through these damaging changes.

  • Caroline Lucas is the Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion