Link for IOC full Decision notice pdf file: Secretary of State for the Home Department (Home Office) (Central government) [2025] UKICO 343688 (22 April 2025)
The complainant submitted a five-part request to the Home Office about data errors made by the Animals in Science Regulation Unit. The Home Office responded to each part of the request. Ultimately, the complainant was only concerned with the Home Office's response to part 2 of her request which was for the audit reports. The Home Office relied on section 36(2)(b)(i) -“ prejudice to the free and frank provision of advice and 36(2)(b)(ii) of FOIA -“ prejudice to the free and frank provision of views for the purposes of deliberation, to withhold the requested reports. The Commissioner's decision is that the Home Office has properly relied on sections 36(2)(b)(i) and (ii) of FOIA for part 2 of the request, and that the public interest favours maintaining the exemptions. No steps are required as a result of this notice.