Information Commissioner's Office

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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Information Commissioner's Office >> Cabinet Office (Central government) [2020] UKICO IC-52977 (16 December 2020)
URL: http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKICO/2020/ic-52977.html
Cite as: [2020] UKICO IC-52977

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Cabinet Office

The complainant requested information with regards to two reports relating to the impacts of Covid 19 on people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. The Cabinet Office refused the request relying on section 12 of the FOIA as it considered it would be over the cost limit to respond. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office has breached section 16(1) of the FOIA as the request did not have a single objective reading, but the Cabinet Office did not seek clarification of the request under section 1(3) of the FOIA before determining whether section 12 of the FOIA was engaged. The Commissioner requires the Cabinet Office to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. Provide the complainant with advice and assistance by requesting clarification of the request. The Cabinet Office must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.

FOI 16: Complaint upheld

Decision notice: IC-52977