Freedom of Information changes must be opposed

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Oct 2006

Commenting on Lord Falconer's plans to reform the Freedom of Information laws announced today, Liberal Democrat Shadow Attorney General, Simon Hughes MP said:

"These changes will make the Freedom of Information Act much less effective and should be opposed.

"The Government's proposed changes to the Freedom of Information rules will make it a lot easier to refuse politically embarrassing information requests on cost grounds.

"The Department of Constitutional Affairs admits this would lead to a significant drop in requests for information.

"Such changes could greatly undermine the increased openness, accountability and trust in the work of public authorities which the Freedom of Information Act was meant to bring about."