Information Commissioner's Office

Summary: The complainant has requested how many of 53 named councillors receive benefits, what those benefits are and the amount that is paid (without the link between the individuals and what they have been paid). The Department of Work and Pensions (the -�DWP-�) refused to provide the information originally relying on the exemption for third party personal information (section 40(2)). In its internal review, it also relied on the exemption for information that is prohibited from disclosure under any other enactment (section 44(1)(a)). The DWP explained that it was having trouble identifying the information and in consequence the complainant provided more detail about the relevant individuals. The case was to focus on 45 of the individuals that could be identified with the further information the complainant provided. The Commissioner finds that the requested information is exempt section 44(1)(a), as disclosure of this information is prohibited by the Social Security Administration Act 1992. Therefore he requires no remedial steps to be taken in this case.
Section of Act/EIR & Finding: FOI 44 - Complaint Not upheld