British Business Bank

The complainant has requested the names of borrowers receiving loans following the Government’s implementation of loans to support businesses facing financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Commissioner’s decision is that the British Business Bank (“BBB”) has appropriately relied on section 43(2) Commercial interests to withhold the information and the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. In regard to the BBB’s reliance on section 21 – Information accessible by other means and section 22 – Information intended for future publication the Commissioner finds neither exemption to be engaged. The Commissioner does not require the public authority to take the any steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. Information Tribunal appeal EA/2022/0014 dismissed.