Staffordshire University

The complainant has requested information in relation to various sub-contracting institutions providing educational services on behalf of the University of Staffordshire (“the University”). The request was refused on the basis of section 43(2) of the FOIA.  The Commissioner’s decision is that the section 43(2) exemption is not engaged in relation to the copies of contracts and number of full-time equivalent students (parts 1 and 2 of the request). However, she finds that the exemption is engaged in relation to the gross fee income and invoices (parts 3 and 4 of the request) and that the public interest favours maintaining the exemption and withholding the information.  The Commissioner requires the public authority to disclose the information requested at parts (1) and (2) of the request. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2020/0076 allowed.