Information Commissioner's Office

Cabinet Office

17 December 2015, Central government

The complainant has requested information held by the Cabinet Office relating to the removal/consideration of removal of the ‘Check Off’ facility within the Home Office. The Cabinet Office withheld all the information under sections 35(1)(a)(formulation or development of government policy) and (b) (Ministerial communications) of FOIA. In addition, the Cabinet Office withheld some of the information under section 42(1)(legal professional privilege). The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office was entitled to rely on sections 35(1)(a) and (b) to withhold all the requested information. No steps are required.

FOI 35: Not upheld