Increase in rate of record shredding before new Act

Thousands of official documents are being shredded in the run-up to new freedom of information laws, it is claimed today.

Government departments face accusations of speeding up "housekeeping" programmes before the Freedom of Information Act comes into force on 1 January - giving the public the right to inspect records.

Figures released by Whitehall departments suggest shredding has accelerated over the past 18 months.

The increase in shredding rates - which soared by 500 per cent in one department - comes after an internal memo warning about the Act, according to the Daily Telegraph. The figures have sparked concern among freedom of information campaigners.