A Victory for Openness
The courts yesterday struck another blow - in the battle for Freedom of Information.
The Court of Appeal forced the release of records that government ministers wanted to keep under wraps - arguing that publishing the information would be a breach of national security.
But common sense and justice prevailed in the end - and now people can make up their own minds about the issue - on the basis of all the facts.
South Lanarkshire Council has the same mindset when it comes to equal pay.
The council wants to keep the spotlight off their DIY handy work on Single Status - the council wants to prevent its own workforce from knowing how different groups of workers are paid - and why some traditional male jobs fare so much better than others - particularly the jobs done by women.
But what's sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander - if the government of the day can be held to account over freedom of information - so too can a mid-sized council in central Scotland.
The Court of Appeal forced the release of records that government ministers wanted to keep under wraps - arguing that publishing the information would be a breach of national security.
But common sense and justice prevailed in the end - and now people can make up their own minds about the issue - on the basis of all the facts.
South Lanarkshire Council has the same mindset when it comes to equal pay.
The council wants to keep the spotlight off their DIY handy work on Single Status - the council wants to prevent its own workforce from knowing how different groups of workers are paid - and why some traditional male jobs fare so much better than others - particularly the jobs done by women.
But what's sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gander - if the government of the day can be held to account over freedom of information - so too can a mid-sized council in central Scotland.
