Decision Notice IC-279264-W3F2 (Department for Work and Pensions)
| Case Outcome | Complaint partly upheld |
| Subject Matter | Central government |
| Court | Information Commissioner (UK) |
| Record Number | IC-279264-W3F2 |
| Date | 19 June 2024 |
| Respondent | Department for Work and Pensions |
Reference: IC-279264-W3F2
1
Date:
19 June 2024
Public Authority:
Department for Work and Pensions
Address:
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA
Decision (including any steps ordered)
1. The complainant has requested information regarding an internal audit
of Universal Credit claimants. The Department for Work and Pensions
(DWP) withheld the requested information on the basis of section
35(1)(a), formulation or development of government policy.
2. The Commissioner’s decision is that DWP is entitled to rely on section
35(1)(a) to withhold the majority of the information, however, the
balance of the public interest favours disclosure for the information that
is in the public domain.
3. The Commissioner requires DWP to take the following steps to ensure
compliance with the legislation:
• Disclose document 6 which is already in the public domain
4. The public authority must take these steps within 30 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.
Request and response
5. On 19 October 2023, the complainant wrote to DWP and requested
information in the following terms:
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