Ministers rejects call to reform Freedom of Information rules
- Published
Parliamentary business minister George Adam says the legislation is already robust
The Scottish government has been criticised for refusing to reform Freedom of Information (FoI) laws.
Following a consultation, ministers said they were "not persuaded" to extend the "rigorous" rules this parliamentary term.
MSPs were told the government remained "open" to making changes if required.
The announcement came following a consultation on the potential use of primary legislation to widen the scope of the legislation.
Opposition MSPs described the response as "utterly undemocratic" and accused ministers of secrecy.
The 2002 Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act allows anyone the right to access information held by public bodies in Scotland - including the government, local authorities, the NHS, the police and universities and colleges.
The government has been urged to extend the rules so they apply to all bodies providing public services.
Parliamentary business minister George Adam insisted the current rules ensured "accountability around decision making processes".
He told MSPs: "It provides robust rights for requesters to be provided with information held by public authorities, balanced against the need for proportionality and the protection of sensitive information.
"Areas for improvement were highlighted in the consultation responses and we will consider how existing provisions can be used to ensure FoI rules are up-to-date and working effectively."
Mr Adam said that would include looking at how FoI applies to services delivered in partnership with voluntary sector and private sector bodies.
The minister also pointed to the use of FoI in social care. He said that extending current rules to include the sector would be "consistent" with the National Care Service Bill making its way through Holyrood.
He added: "However, we recognise the acute pressures in parts of the sector, which is why we will fully consult all partners after the bill has been passed before any changes are made."
Scottish Labour MSP Katy Clark says publicly funded organisations are evading scrutiny
Scottish Labour MSP Katy Clark, who has proposed widening the scope of the legislation, accused the government of trying to "kick the can down the road yet again".
She added: "There's no commitment to private or third sector designation, just a vague commitment to a consultation on the care sector and only after the passage of a National Care Service that has itself been delayed.
"This is weak, timid and far from what the public are calling for. It's utterly undemocratic that so many publicly funded organisations evade scrutiny because of their ownership."
Scottish Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur accused the government of being "wedded to secrecy".
"Meaningful reform is being stopped dead in its tracks because ministers don't want to close the loopholes they have been using to dodge scrutiny.
"Nobody will be fooled by the promise of further reviews and consultations designed to kick transparency into the long grass."