Department for Education
- Date 2 February 2022
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 10: Upheld, FOI 12: Not upheld
The complainant made six related requests for information in connection to the Department for Education’s (‘DfE’) procurement of services from Havas Media Limited (‘Havas’). The DfE refused the requests as it considered that compliance with them would exceed the cost limit under section 12 FOIA.The Commissioner’s decision is that the DfE has correctly cited section 12(1) FOIA, in response to the requests. It has also complied with its duty to provide advice and assistance in line with the requirements of section 16 FOIA. However, he finds that the DfE breached section10(1) FOIA by failing to respond to the requests within the statutory time for compliance. The Commissioner does not require the DfE to take any steps.