Department for Work and Pensions

The complainant has requested information on pensions changes from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). DWP refused to comply with the request under section 14(1) as it considered the request is vexatious. The Commissioner’s decision is that DWP is entitled to rely on section 14(1) to refuse to comply with the request.The Commissioner does however find that DWP has breached section 10 with respect to a further request made on 7 May 2019. The Commissioner requires the public authority to issue a substantive response to the request dated 7 May 2019. The public authority must take these steps within 35 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.