The government has backed away from changes to Freedom of Information legislation after a review set up to see how the law was working.

The review was considering the issue of charging requesters but that has now been ruled out and no other legislative changes are being proposed.

During the consultation Thanet Extra revealed that Thanet council had suggested requesters be charged £25 to access information, saying it would deter “futile” requests.

The KM Group was among many media organisations who expressed concern over the review and had campaigned for there to be no changes.

Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock said the FoI Act was “working well”.

The FoI Commission - which included Lord Howard of Lympne - was asked to examine it amid concerns within government that “sensitive information” was being inadequately protected.

The commission report said FoI had helped “change the culture of the public sector”.

Mr Hancock said there would be no wholesale changes to the FoI Act.

“We will not make any legal changes to FoI. After all, taxpayers should know if their money is funding a company car or a big pay-off...” Cabinet Office minister Matt Hancock

“After 10 years, we took the decision to review the Freedom of Information Act and we have found it is working well,” he said.

On the issue of the burden of dealing with requests, he said: “We appreciate that some public authorities are concerned by the burdens imposed on them by the act and the associated costs. However, the introduction of new fees would lead to a reduction in the ability of requesters, especially the media, to make use of the act.

“We believe that transparency can help save taxpayers’ money, by driving out waste and inefficiency.

“We will not make any legal changes to FoI. We will spread transparency throughout public services, making sure all public bodies routinely publish details of senior pay and perks. After all, taxpayers should know if their money is funding a company car or a big pay-off.”

On the power of ministers to veto the release of information, the government said it would not, at this stage, tighten the law.