Department for Work and Pensions

The complainant has requested information on the increase in the base rate for Universal Credit and the decision not to raise legacy benefits in line with this increase.
The Commissioner’s decision is that although the exemption at section 35(1)(a), formulation or development of government policy, the public interest favours disclosure of the majority of the information. The Commissioner has also determined that where the information engages section 42(1), the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. 
The Commissioner requires the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to disclose the submissions to the Secretary of State with the exception of paragraph 20 of document (a).
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. First-tier tribunal (General Regulatory chamber) information rights appeal EA/2022/0103 withdrawn.