Department for Work and Pensions

The complainant has requested information relating to the end of the £20 uplift to Universal Credit introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Commissioner’s decision is that DWP is not entitled to rely on section 36, prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs, to withhold the information. However, the Commissioner does consider that a small amount of information engages section 42, legal professional privilege, and the balance of the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. The Commissioner requires DWP to disclose the requested information with the exception of the information identified in 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. Information Tribunal EA/2023/0031 appeal dismissed.