Home Office

The complainant has requested information on reports and recommendations made following the Government’s consultation on the New Plan for Immigration (‘NPI’). The Home Office confirmed that it held information falling within scope of the request and it disclosed some statistical data. It refused to disclose the bulk of the information, stating that it was exempt from disclosure under section 35(1)(a) (Formulation of government policy) of FOIA, and that the public interest favoured maintaining the exemption. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Home Office was entitled to rely on section 35(1)(a) to refuse the request. The Commissioner requires no steps.