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MP tables bill to extend FOI to housing associations
A Labour MP has tabled a Private Members’ Bill to extend Freedom of Information (FOI) laws to housing associations and contractors carrying out work for public authorities.
Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith and a former shadow housing minister, said it is an “anomaly that has been thrown into relief” by the Grenfell Tower fire last June that all social landlords are not currently subject to FOI.
He wants members of the public to be able to request information held by housing associations in the same way as currently possible for councils.
“We are trying to be consistent across the sector,” Mr Slaughter told Inside Housing.
“If you are living on the 15th floor of a high-rise block it doesn’t really matter to you whether it’s owned by a council or a housing association – you should be able to get the same information about the fire safety of that building either way.”
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He added: “There is quite a head of steam building up on this. I have talked to housing associations about this in the past and apart from all the usual concerns about cost, I’m not sure that they have much of a point against it.
“Everyone objects to the FOI because they would rather not have to account for themselves.”
The Freedom of Information (Extension) Bill is due to be debated in parliament on Friday.
The government argues that the Freedom of Information Act already contains a clause which allows it to bring in any organisation providing a public service and is therefore likely to vote against the bill.
Mr Slaughter’s bill would also make private companies and charities providing services to councils and other public bodies subject to FOI.
He said the collapse of construction giant Carillion earlier this year highlighted why these types of organisations should be open to more public scrutiny.
More than £250bn – around a third of public spending – now goes to private companies and charities to provide services for the public sector.
The housing ombudsman would also be included.
A social housing policy document launched by Labour in April set out the party’s intention to extend FOI legislation to housing associations.
