HMG is saying that it is untenable that the risk register be made public because they need to ensire that civil servants can speak freely about risks etc.
That is normally the case.

But in this case ...

a) The policy was announced BEFORE the register was drawn up (normally it's the other way round, when ideas are being bounced around) ... in this case the risk register is a Response to a policy rather than a list of risks in the light of which a policy could be framed.

b) The list could easily be anonymised so the public don't see who said what, but we could still see what the highlighted risks were (i.e. what risks HMG has decided were secondary to pursuit of their idealogy).

c) Precedent is not always a great reason.

Went to see Dr Phil Hammond last night – very, very funny. But on the new Act, suffice it to say he ain't impressed.

Iliked tb's twitter comment: "first time I've ever paid up-front to see a doctor - bloody tories"

Indeed.

This Tory led govenment is running rough shod over everything and getting away with it simply because as a nation we let it happen and just take it on the chin. I fear for the medical care in this country, more so for the elderly population with the proposed care at home policy which I believe is a disaster waiting to happen due to insufficient already overtretched nurses, whlist at the same time freeing up much needed private health care beds. Hull has recently had good news regarding the Siemens project (and boy do we need it) estimated to create approx 800 jobs but with the VAT on static caravans increasing to 20% this could be cancelled out by job losses in the industry not to mention the suppliers. Maybe I'm a pessimist but I fear the next 3 years because I believe we will be watching the rich rise further up the ranks while the rest of us sink lower.