IMHO, the exemption from the freedom of information act is more in fact aimed at protecting investment in sensitive new tech by in effect making it secret until the government decides otherwise.
That's why the title of the article is actually "Secrecy for high-risk tech research". It's 'high risk' but also aimed at being high rewards and potentially targeting sensitive domains so they don't want others to know what they are doing until after they have reaped the benefits.
I cannot read the whole article because of the paywall but the freedom of information laws do not prevent anything in terms of what to invest into. They only create a legal duty to provide information on demand.
The aim of this new agency has never been altruistic. It has always been discussed as a tool to further the UK's interests in the global competition. Clearly the government thinks that a level of secrecy, or at leat government control, is required.
Just for reference, the FOI already provides for the following exemptions:
22A Information obtained in the course of, or derived from, a programme of research.
24 Information for the purpose of safeguarding national security.
26 Information that would, or would be likely to, prejudice defence of the realm.
29 Information that would, or would be likely to, prejudice the economic or financial interests of the United Kingdom or of any part of it.
43 Information that constitutes a trade secret or would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests.
I think that pretty much 100% of that new agency's work will fall within one of these exemptions so IMHO it makes sense to exempt it altogether and avoid having to deal with FOI requests in the first place. The agency along with the government will then have full discretion to make research and results public as they deemed useful and that will also allow them to work with private companies to license/commercialise stuff.
That's why the title of the article is actually "Secrecy for high-risk tech research". It's 'high risk' but also aimed at being high rewards and potentially targeting sensitive domains so they don't want others to know what they are doing until after they have reaped the benefits.
I cannot read the whole article because of the paywall but the freedom of information laws do not prevent anything in terms of what to invest into. They only create a legal duty to provide information on demand.
The aim of this new agency has never been altruistic. It has always been discussed as a tool to further the UK's interests in the global competition. Clearly the government thinks that a level of secrecy, or at leat government control, is required.