Department of Health and Social Care
- Date 27 October 2022
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 10: Upheld, FOI 17: Upheld, FOI 35: Not upheld
The complainant has requested risk assessments related to India carried out by the Joint Biosecurity Centre. The above public authority relied on section 35 of FOIA (development of government policy) to withhold the requested information. The Commissioner’s decision is that section 35 is engaged and that the balance of the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. The public authority breached sections 10 and 17 of FOIA as it failed to confirm that it held information or issue its refusal notice within 20 working days. The Commissioner does not require further steps.
Keywords/themes: Covid-19, pandemic messaging, travel restrictions