Making Government more open

A package of measures to enhance openness and increase public access to information, including a review of the "30-year rule" and extending the scope of the Freedom of Information Act, has been announced by the Prime Minister. The review of the "30-year rule"- the date by which government departments must transfer public records to The National Archives and the date at which records become historical - could lead to an increase in access to government records and will include recommendations on reducing the release of data from 30 years. The Government is also to consult formally on extending the application of the Freedom of Information Act to include a range of organisations that perform public functions.