Information Commissioner's Office

Home Office

18 February 2016, Central government

The complainants requested information relating to an increase in the fee for a particular type of visa. The Home Office refused the request on cost grounds under section 12(1) of the FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Home Office cited section 12(1) correctly and so it was not obliged to comply with the request. He also finds, however, that the Home Office failed to comply with the requirement of section 16(1) of the FOIA in that it did not provide advice to the complainants on how their request could be refined to bring it within the cost limit. It is now required to write to the complainant providing this advice. The Commissioner requires the Home Office to write to the complainants with advice on how their request could be refined to bring it within the cost limit.

FOI 12: Not upheld FOI 16: Upheld