Department for Education
- Date 27 September 2022
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 10: Upheld, FOI 17: Upheld, FOI 35: Not upheld
The complainant has requested a report considered when the requirement for facemasks to be worn in English schools was lifted. The Department for Education relied on section 35 (development of government policy) to withhold the information. The Commissioner’s decision is that the withheld information engages section 35(1)(a) of FOIA and that the balance of the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. The DfE breached section 10 and section 17 of FOIA as it failed to issue its response within 20 working days. The Commissioner does not require further steps.