FOI laws 'in need of overhaul'

FREEDOM of information legislation in Scotland needs to be overhauled to stop it falling behind similar rules in England, according to Scotland's Information Commissioner.

On the eve of publication of his report, Kevin Dunion says the Scottish Government has failed to match moves south of the Border to extend the legislation to new public bodies.

"Quite simply, FOI is not keeping up with how the public pound is being spent. Yet the public appetite for information is growing," Dunion says. "Freedom of information rights cannot be allowed to decay - being seen as either a burden on hard pressed authorities or an impediment to getting private companies to take on public service delivery."