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campaignfoi.bsky.social
Campaign for Freedom of Information
@campaignfoi.bsky.social
240 followers 680 following 57 posts
We seek to improve and defend freedom of information in support of a more vibrant and open democracy.
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Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoiscot.bsky.social
The next SPIF meeting is just around the corner. The agenda includes a presentation from Felicitas Strickmann of FragDenStaat. Get a ticket now to avoid missing out!

Tickets available here: www.eventbrite.com/e/scottish-p...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #foi #event
Event The Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) will meet on the 1st of December to update on the FoISA Reform Bill and celebrate Human Rights Defenders Day and International Human Rights Day Free Location: Online 1 December at 2:00PM to 4:00PM GMT The Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) will meet on the 1st of December to celebrate Human Rights Defenders Day and International Human Rights Day. An update on the Stage 1 process of the Bill will be provided and the focus of the event will be on championing FoI as an ‘Everyday Essential’ Human Right. Everyone is welcome to attend. Speakers include: Felicitas Strickmann from FragDenStaat, a non-profit project of the Open Knowledge Foundation Deutschland David Hamilton, Scottish Information Commissioner Deborah Clark, UK Information Commissioner’s Office Michael Birrell, Scottish Government Carole Ewart, CFoIS Previously, the Scottish Public Information Forum (SPIF) convened, in person at the Scottish Parliament and online, on the 26th September 2025, with 45 people from across Scotland in attendance. You can book a free ticket for SPIF via Eventbrite now.
November 25, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
theferret.scot
🔴 NEW: Emails reveal that naval chiefs piled pressure on environment watchdog to hide details of radioactive contamination on the Clyde.

Our latest: www.theferret.scot/navy-try-keep-nuclear-pollution-secret/
Silhouetted submarine with crew on top at sea, under dramatic clouds. Text below reads: "Navy made legal threats to try and keep nuclear pollution secret."
November 23, 2025 at 8:00 AM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
Government by WhatsApp

The latest Covid Inquiry report criticises Ministerial use of informal communication channels during the pandemic. It says the practice has serious implications for govt decision-making, FOI, court proceedings and public inquiries.
November 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
owenboswarva.bsky.social
Oops: MoD blunder reveals secret details of bomb project www.theferret.scot/mod-details-... from @theferret.scot

#FOI #redaction #armstrade
The Ministry of Defence has apologised after it accidentally leaked secret documents to The Ferret revealing it was considering Grangemouth and other sites across the UK for new arms factories. Twelve potential locations for making explosives were mistakenly identified in emails released to us under freedom of information (FoI) law. Blacked out text which was meant to remain hidden could be uncovered simply by copying and pasting it into another document. Sites under consideration include parts of the Grangemouth industrial complex, the Finnart oil terminal on Loch Long, and locations in Cumbria, Teesside, Northumberland, Southampton and Wales.
November 18, 2025 at 4:54 PM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
📢FOI in the News!

Rise in 'revenge evictions'?

A total of 7,261 residents in nursing and residential homes were given a ‘notice to quit’ between August 2024 and September 2025, a Big Issue FOI request reveals.

www.bigissue.com/news/housing...

#BigIssue #elderlycare #accountabilitymatters
Revealed: Thousands of elderly people evicted from care homes every year
Thousands of elderly and vulnerable people have received eviction notices from their care homes in the last year, the Big Issue has found.
www.bigissue.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoiscot.bsky.social
The FoI Reform Bill may run out of time before completing the 3 stage parliamentary process, according to the Minister for Parliamentary Business when speaking at today's annual FoI Conference. Lots of work to do by March 2026!
@rmtunion.bsky.social @unitescotland.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
Influential biographer Andrew Lownie submitted hundreds of FOI requests whilst researching 'Entitled', his bestselling biography of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Hear Andrew describe the resistance that provoked in his fascinating conversation with Democracy for Sale.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJHa...
Andrew Lownie: The Prince Andrew Cover Up | Hidden Royal Files Revealed
YouTube video by Democracy for Sale
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
georgegreenwood.bsky.social
Former MPs working for lobbying firms have utilised their continued access to parliament on hundreds of occasions, with campaigners claiming there is a “high risk” it has been misused by some.

www.thetimes.com/article/5d22...
Ex-MPs working for lobbyists use privileged access to parliament
A number of former politicians who are now paid to help influence policymakers have visited the parliamentary estate, but deny doing so for lobbying
www.thetimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:44 PM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
📢FOI in the news!

Online grooming crimes double since 2018 with victims now as young as four, according to NSPCC obtained FOI data.

Instant messenger Snapchat used in 40% of the cases where a tech platform was identified.

news.sky.com/story/online...
Online grooming crimes have doubled since 2018, with victims as young as four, charity warns
More than 7,200 offences were recorded by police in the year to March - almost twice the number for the 12 months to March 2018, with instant messaging app Snapchat used in 40% of the cases where a te...
news.sky.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:16 AM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
📢FOI in the news!

“Historic neglect” of ADHD revealed by BBC FOI disclosures.

Data shared by 59 services across England show increasing numbers forced to halt referrals.

#NHSfunding #ADHD #informationrights #transparency

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
ADHD services shutting door to new NHS patients as demand soars, BBC finds
A BBC investigation finds that a host of areas in England are closing waiting lists and others are rationing care.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Thank you to @katysclark.bsky.social MSP for holding last night's roundtable at the Scottish Parliament on the FoI Reform (Scotland) Bill! The speeches and discussion provided a much needed opportunity to discuss the Bill's importance

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #scotland #foi
November 7, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
mrosenbaum.bsky.social
The ICO is investigating claims that on the same day that an FOI tribunal ordered Fermanagh & Omagh Council to disclose inspection reports for two dog breeders, the council destroyed eight years' worth of similar information about other dog breeding premises. The ICO is 'surprised and concerned'.
November 6, 2025 at 12:45 PM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
👑 Privacy of The Royal Household 👑

One of the FOI Act's most fascinating provisions, section 37 governs the boundaries of public interest within Britain's most discrete institution.

If recent news has piqued your interest, see here for a refresher on where the law stands.
November 5, 2025 at 9:34 AM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
⚖️Working for a more open democracy⚖️

A big thank you to #AndySlaughter for facilitating last week's Freedom of Information training for MPs' staff in Parliament and to all those who participated.

#FOItraining #righttoknow #opengovernment #accountabilitymatters
November 4, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
lynnwyeth.bsky.social
My next 4-week #FOI Practitioner Certificate starts on Nov 24th. Sign up now www.actnow.org.uk/booking/5047
October 30, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Timely reminder of why passing the FoI Reform Bill matters to so many people in Scotland. @katysclark.bsky.social @unitescotland.bsky.social @cwuscotland.bsky.social @gabymckay.bsky.social www.heraldscotland.com/news/2521506...
Why is this Labour MSP calling for a change to the Freedom of Information Act?
The Freedom of Information Act could be set to change in Scotland, with a new bill proposed to stop WhatsApp messages being deleted
www.heraldscotland.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:05 PM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
"Accountability remains almost completely absent. The VIP Lane has been ruled unlawful, but the Covid Inquiry hasn’t called in the companies that profited from it."
October 27, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Join CFoIS and Human Rights Consortium for a FoISA Reform Bill Update Event on November the 19th.

Tickets are available to book via Eventbrite now: www.eventbrite.com/e/1759810012...

#FoISAReform25 #freedomofinformation #humanrights #event #foi
FoISA Reform Bill Update In conjunction with the Human Rights Consortium Scotland. Free Location: Online 19 November at 1:00PM to 2:00PM GMT CFoIS announces an update event on the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill on progressing the Bill through Stage 1, held in conjunction with Human Rights Consortium Scotland. Book a free ticket via Eventbrite now!
October 23, 2025 at 4:27 PM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
Exceptional work👏👏
petergeoghegan.bsky.social Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · Oct 23
Wow! Democracy for Sale has been nominated for a British Journalism Award 🎉

Amazing to see how far we've come in such a short time.

Am so proud of @jennacorderoy.bsky.social and @lucasamin.bsky.social (and me, tbh! 😊)

Huge thanks to our supporters!
pressgazette.co.uk/press-gazett...
British Journalism Awards 2025: Finalists revealed
Press Gazette is proud to reveal the shortlist for the British Journalism Awards 2025, with links to all of the winning work.
pressgazette.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 3:32 PM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
🪧Black History Month & Freedom of Information 🪧

Black Londoners’ horror at treatment of Child Q.

Successive FOIs uncovered scores of similar testimonies.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

#blackhistorymonth #institutionalracism #informationrights
Child Q violated and demeaned in strip-search, hearing told
Three officers are facing gross misconduct proceedings over the strip-search of a 15-year-old girl.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Reposted by Campaign for Freedom of Information
cfoiscot.bsky.social
Thanks to the SNP TU Group for hosting the CFOIS leaflets explaining our all party campaign in support of the FoI Reform Bill currently at Stage 1 in the ScotParl. An opportunity 4 Scotland 2 lead the way by voting 4 progressive legal reform. @snp.org @graemedey.bsky.social @nujscotland.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 at 11:18 AM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
🚨Reminder: FOI Requester Training 🚨

In search of guidance on raising an FOI request?

There is still time to sign up to our next 'Using the FOI Act' course for requesters. It will run on Thursday 16th October 2025.

It's online and you can secure your space here:
www.cfoi.org.uk/2025/08/usin...
October 10, 2025 at 9:03 AM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
📢FOI in the News!

A record number of people in the UK died while homeless in 2024.

A total of 1,611 homeless people died in the UK during the year, a 9% increase over 2023. The majority of deaths resulted from suicide or street drugs.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK deaths of 1,611 homeless people in 2024 is record high
Most are linked to suicide or drugs, with spice and nitazenes increasingly deadly.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 4:12 PM
campaignfoi.bsky.social
To mark October as Black History Month, we wanted to share a handful of FOI disclosures which illustrate the experiences of Britain's Black communities.

The first – James Coombs vs the Home Office and ICO on the origins of the Windrush Scandal.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024...
Home Office forced to release critical report on origins of Windrush scandal
Government had objected to report’s publication as it may ‘damage trust of affected communities’
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:49 PM