Dear all,
It’s a challenging time for open government in the UK at present, and the Steering Committee are keen to understand how we as the Open Government Network should respond.
Just some of what has happened in the last month:
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The Health Minister acted unlawfully by failing to publish contracts;
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The new UK Government Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) has been reported to be exempted from the Freedom of Information Act
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The UK has been placed ‘under review’ by the Open Government Partnership;
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Cabinet Office Minister Julia Lopez is yet to confirm the date for the first Multistakeholder Forum, as mentioned in her response to this network’s joint letter, meaning the development of the next National Action Plan has yet to formally begin.
Added to this, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, seeking to introduce draconian new police powers to decide where, when and how citizens are allowed to protest and have their voices heard by those in power.
So how should we as a network react? Can a National Action Plan be developed in this context? What actions can we take collectively to ensure our voice is heard? Or is there something else entirely different?
Please join us for an urgent meeting tomorrow to decide upon the ‘next steps’ for the UK OGN.
- DATE: WEDNESDAY 17th MARCH
- TIME: 12 noon to 1pm
- REGISTRATION: Meeting Registration - Zoom
The UK Open Government Network Steering Committee