ALLIANCE response to Freedom of Information Reform Bill highlights importance of limiting burden on the third sector
- Area of Work: Policy and Research
- Type: News Item
- Published: 17th October 2025
Any extension of Freedom of Information duties directly to the third sector must account for resource and capacity.
The ALLIANCE) have responded to the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s call for views on the Freedom of Information Reform Bill. The ALLIANCE had previously responded to both the consultation on the member’s initial proposal for a Bill, and to the Scottish Government’s concurrent consultation on access to information.
In both responses, we emphasised our support for the principles of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FoISA). Access to information is an important aspect of public service provision. Services that the public rely on to support them through their lives should be as transparent as possible, enabling individuals to understand how they operate, why specific decisions were taken, and how duties relating to areas such as human rights, equalities and the environment are being fulfilled. In general, the public should rightly expect to be able to access such information about public services, regardless of whether that service is provided by directly by the public sector or contracted out to the private and third sectors.
However, differences in nature, capacity and resource between these sectors must be recognised. We remain concerned that formally designating third sector organisations, particularly small organisations, as Scottish public authorities under FoISA may simply add to the already unsustainable pressures on the sector. As such, we suggest that the Committee and responsible member consider amendments to the Bill which would apply a threshold that must be met to consider listing an organisation.
You can read the full response via the resource links below.
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