Link for IOC full Decision notice pdf file: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) (Central government) [2025] UKICO 343535 (21 May 2025)
The complainant made a four part request for information about -˜blasphemy extremism-™ within the Prevent programme. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that the information was withheld under the exemption provided by section 35(1)(a) (formulation or development of government policy) of FOIA. The Commissioner-™s decision is that, in respect of parts a) and b) of the request, the MHCLG was entitled to withhold the information under section 35(1)(a). However, in respect of parts c) and d) of the request, the MHCLG failed to inform the complainant whether information is held. The Commissioner requires the MHCLG to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation: Issue a response to parts c) and d) of the request in which it complies with section 1(1) of FOIA.