Tom Watson MP, Labour’s Deputy Leader, commenting on the announcement that there will be no wholesale changes to the FOI act, said:

“This is a remarkable government climbdown in the face of sustained opposition from Labour, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats, and the media. I’m delighted that Matthew Hancock has decided the FOI Act is ‘working well’. Labour has been making the same point for many months.

“We believe the Act should be extended to cover private sector companies that win public sector contracts and we will continue to make that case. Our cross-party report will continue and recommend improvements to the Act.

“In the meantime, the Tories should now set out the full cost of setting up and running the Government’s independent FOI commission, which has decided after many weeks of expensive deliberations to maintain the status quo. If the cost is not disclosed we will submit an FOI request that his department will no doubt process speedily.”