Any reduction in the scope of the Freedom of Information Act in limiting its costs or capping the number of requests organisations can make will have an impact on Article 10 rights to freedom of expression, Index has said in a submission to the Commons Justice Select Committee.

Yesterday the committee published its evidence as it launches a post-legislative scrutiny and considers whether the 2000 Act needs amending.

The evidence also contains a submission made by the Ministry of Justice, which claims the Act has failed to increase understanding of government, may have reduced trust and has done little to improve decision-making.

In its submission, Index draws on a number of case studies to show that the Act has been hugely positive in opening up government and public authorities in the United Kingdom to scrutiny by its citizens, making government more efficient and helping to curb a culture of secrecy.

UK Freedom of Information Post Legislative Scrutiny Submission 03 02 12