HS2 Ltd

The complainant has requested information showing that HS2 Limited (HS2) is aware of the reduction in forecast of GDP and has made this known to the Department for Transport (DfT) and what updates it has made as a result of this. HS2 identified a report intended to advise the DfT of this and withheld the information under section 36 of the FOIA. The Commissioner considers the information should have been considered under the EIR as it is environmental information and as such HS2 applied the regulation 12(4)(d) and 12(4)(e) exceptions to withhold the report. The Commissioner’s decision is that HS2 has incorrectly engaged regulation 12(4)(e) but has correctly engaged regulation 12(4)(d) but that the public interest favours disclosing the information. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2020/0007 under appeal.