HAMPSHIRE County Council's attempt to enable councils to charge newspapers for Freedom of Information requests has been swiftly rejected by the Government.

Last month, Councillor Colin Davidovitz, executive member for communications and efficiency, called for a change in the law to allow local authorities to charge organisations which may benefit commercially from the information.

The Conservative council wanted the Local Government Association to take up the issue with ministers, saying it spent £318,000 answering 707 FoI requests in 2009-10.

However, Local Government Minister Eric Pickles has flatly rejected the idea. He said: “If councillors and council officers are to be held to account, the press and public need access to the information which will enable them to do it. Greater local accountability is vital to accompany the greater powers and freedoms being given to local government.”