Department for Work and Pensions

The complainant has requested information on the governance of the Universal Credit Programme. DWP relied on sections 22, 31, 35 and 36 to withhold the information. The Commissioner’s decision is that DWP is not entitled to rely on sections 22, 35 and 36 to withhold the majority of the information but is entitled to rely on section 31 and 36 to withhold a small proportion of the requested information. DWP also breached sections 10 and 17 by not providing its response within the statutory timeframe. The Commissioner requires the public authority disclose the information withheld under section 22, 35 and 36 with the exception of the information specified in Part B of the confidential annex. 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 FOIA and may be dealt with as a contempt of court. First-tier tribunal (General Regulatory chamber) information rights appeal EA/2022/0328 appeal allowed in part.