The 30-year rule for publishing secret government papers is to be reduced to 20 years, the government has announced.

The measure - to be phased in over 10 years - falls short of the 15 years proposed by a government-commissioned review but was welcomed by campaigners.

Papers relating to senior royals will remain exempt from Freedom of Information Act requests and will be kept secret for the person's lifetime.

Ministers have dropped their objection to Cabinet papers being released early.