Information Commissioner's Office

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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Information Commissioner's Office >> Cabinet Office (Central government) [2022] UKICO 107720 (25 May 2022)
URL: http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKICO/2022/ic-107720.html

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Cabinet Office

The complainant requested information about suppliers that had used the so-called “high priority lane” to bid for contracts to supply personal protective equipment. The Cabinet Office relied on section 12 of FOIA to refuse part of the request and section 43 of FOIA to withhold some of the information. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office has correctly applied section 43 and that the balance of the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. The Cabinet Office was also entitled to rely on section 12 to refuse the remainder of the request. However, the Cabinet Office failed to provide meaningful advice and assistance and therefore failed to comply with its section 16 duty. The Cabinet Office also breached section 17 of FOIA as it failed to issue its refusal notice within 20 working days. The Commissioner does not require further steps.

FOI 17: Complaint upheld FOI 43: Complaint not upheld FOI 16: Complaint upheld FOI 12: Complaint not upheld

Decision notice: ic-107720