30 May 2007
Whitehall buying agency the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is appealing against the Information Tribunal ruling that it must release early reviews of the ID card programme.
The OGC has resisted requests under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act for the Gateway reviews carried out at key stages of the controversial Home Office scheme. Publishing the documents, for ID cards or any other government programme, will undermine the frank discussions upon which effective reviews rely, says the OGC.
The tribunal decision earlier this month confirmed the view of Information Commissioner Richard Thomas that such concerns are exaggerated and the Gateway information is in the public interest.
The case will now be heard in the High Court.
An OGC statement says: 'So far the Gateway process has helped achieve over £2.5 billion in value for money savings. In the Government's view, disclosure would seriously undermine the effectiveness of the Gateway process, as confidentiality is essential to the whole process.'
How exactly is the Gateway procedure supposed to have saved £2.5bn?
Such figures lack any credibility, especially when you look at the constantly changing figures which are being issued for the ID card project.
The cost estimates for this project have been rising sharply, while the specification has been simplified. The estimates for benefits have been static for two years.
When large sums are being poured into such a controversial project, we deserve better than this.
Posted by: Andrew Hawker 01 Jun 2007
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