Lost child benefit records: Inquiry condemns ‘inadequate’ data handling – The Guardian

Posted June 25th, 2008 in data protection, government departments, news by sally

“The government was criticised today for the ‘woefully inadequate’ handling of sensitive data at HM Revenue and Customs that led to the loss of CDs holding the personal records of 25 million people.”

Full story

The Guardian, 25th June 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Annual report on freedom of information in central government – Ministry of Justice

Posted June 20th, 2008 in freedom of information, government departments, reports by sally

“Report on the operation of the Freedom of Information Act in central government in 2007, bringing together quarterly statistics and analysing longer term trends.”

Full report

Ministry of Justice, 18th June 2008

Source; www.justice.gov.uk

Secret files on stolen Blears PC – BBC News

Posted June 17th, 2008 in data protection, government departments, news by sally

“A personal computer holding sensitive documents relating to defence and extremism has been stolen from Hazel Blears’ constituency office in Salford.”

Full story

BBC News, 17th June 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Smith faces Commons summons to explain secret papers blunder – The Guardian

Posted June 16th, 2008 in data protection, government departments, news by sally

“The home secretary, Jacqui Smith, was last night facing a Commons summons to explain how another batch of secret documents were left on a train.”

Full story

The Guardian, 16th June 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Secret anti-terror documents ‘left on train’ – The Independent

Posted June 11th, 2008 in documents, government departments, news, terrorism by sally

“A police investigation has been launched after secret Government documents were left on a train, it was confirmed today.”

Full story

The Independent, 11th June 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Fraudsters hack into Home Office website – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 9th, 2008 in computer crime, government departments, news by sally

“Cunning computer hackers have hijacked the Home Office crime reduction website and used it to carry out an elaborate online scam.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 8th June 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Freedom of information guidance – Ministry of Justice

Posted May 15th, 2008 in freedom of information, government departments, news by sally

“The following guidance is aimed at people working in central government departments who deal with freedom of information requests. It may also be a useful reference tool for those working in other public authorities.”

Full story

Ministry of Justice, 14th May 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Freedom Of Information: Businesses must disclose what they tell ministers – The Independent

“Secret deals between industry players and politicians have long been part of government business. Now, says Robert Verkaik, Law Editor, they will be subject to scrutiny.”

Full story

The Independent, 9th May 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Tax staff breach data security – BBC News

Posted May 1st, 2008 in data protection, government departments, news by sally

“More than 600 staff at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have been disciplined for accessing personal or sensitive data, it has been revealed.”

Full story

BBC News, 1st May 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Judges will carry on holding ministers to account – because that’s their job – The Times

Posted April 25th, 2008 in government departments, judiciary, special report by sally

“Yesterday’s court rulings highlight the delicate relationship between the executive and the judiciary — one in which judges increasingly hold ministers to account, and find them wanting.”

Full story

The Times, 25th April 2008

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

Govt to sound out law firms as Catalist fails to deliver on hype – Legal Week

Posted April 24th, 2008 in government departments, legal services, news by sally

“The Government’s procurement arm has begun talks with all 48 firms on the Catalist legal panel, amid continued problems with the much-hyped attempt to centralise Whitehall legal spending.”

Full story

Legal Week, 24th April 2008

Source: www.legalweek.com

Information watchdog raps Government over access to data – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 15th, 2008 in freedom of information, government departments, news by sally

“The Department of Health is not dealing with freedom of information (FOI) requests properly because of a lack of staff, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has said. The ICO has rebuked the Government department over its FOI behaviour.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 14th April 2008

Source: www.out-law.com

Internal departmental guidelines for briefing a minister – Ministry of Justice

Posted March 28th, 2008 in civil servants, government departments by sally

“A request was made for a copy of the current internal departmental guidelines for briefing a minister. Below are copies of the guidelines requested. These cover submissions and briefings for the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State, other departmental ministers and the Permanent Secretary.”

Full copies of guidelines

Ministry of Justice, 28th March 2008

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

Freedom Of Information: Should policy discussions be kept under wraps? – The Independent

Posted March 28th, 2008 in freedom of information, government departments, special report by sally

“The Government argues that policy decision-making requires ‘space to think’ and should remain safe from prying eyes. Is this in the public interest? asks Maurice Frankel.”

Full story

The Independent, 28th March 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Government must take data protection more seriously, says Parliament committee – OUT-LAW.com

Posted March 18th, 2008 in data protection, government departments, news by sally

“The minister responsible for data protection should be more powerful according to a Parliamentary committee which has also condemned the Government for not taking data protection seriously enough.”

Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 18th March 2008

Source: www.out-law.com

“Lax standards” on data security – BBC News

Posted March 14th, 2008 in data protection, government departments, news by sally

“The government has persistently failed to take data protection ‘sufficiently seriously’ the Joint Committee on Human Rights has warned.”

Full story

BBC News, 14th March 2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Civil Service blogger sparks online crackdown – Daily Telegraph

Posted March 10th, 2008 in government departments, internet, news by sally

“The emergence of Civil Service blogger who used the internet to lampoon her employers and cabinet ministers has forced the Government to set out new guidance for its staff covering blogging and online social networks.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 10th March 2008

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

More than 1,000 government laptops lost or stolen, new figures show – The Guardian

Posted March 5th, 2008 in data protection, government departments, news, theft by sally

“More than 1,000 laptops have been lost or stolen from government departments in recent years, new figures have revealed.”

Full story

The Guardian, 4th March 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Freedom of Information: FoI opens up government to scrutiny – The Independent

“Ministers and the Commons’ authorities have lost two key battles to keep sensitive information under wraps. Robert Verkaik, Law Editor, says the tide may be turning against those who advocate secret government.”

Full story

The Independent, 29th February 2008

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Laptop sold on eBay hid confidential Home Office disc – The Guardian

Posted February 28th, 2008 in data protection, government departments, news by sally

“The Home Office has launched an investigation into how an optical disc holding confidential information was discovered hidden beneath the keyboard of a laptop bought on the online auction site eBay.”

Full story

The Guardian, 28th February 2008

Source: www.guardian.co.uk