Information Commissioner's Office

Department for Work and Pensions

30 August 2017, Central government

The complainant requested project assessment reviews reports (PAR reports) carried out for the Universal Credit Programme (UCP) from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP refused the request, as sections 36(2)(b)(i) and (ii), and 36(2)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act) were engaged and the balance of the public interest test favoured maintaining the exemption. The Commissioner’s decision is that the DWP is correct that section 36 of the Act is engaged, but finds that the balance of the public interest supports disclosure of the requested information. The Commissioner also finds that the DWP should withhold the personal data of individuals named in the report who are not at senior civil service grade under section 40(2) of the Act. In regards to procedural matters in the handling of the request, the DWP breached section 17(3) of the Act as it failed to provide the complainant with a section 36 refusal notice within such time as is reasonable. The Commissioner requires the public authority to disclosure the PAR reports in full except for the names of staff who are not at senior civil service grade.

FOI 17: Upheld FOI 36: Upheld FOI 40: Partly upheld