Department for Work and Pensions

The complainant has requested information regarding meetings held between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Maximus UK Service Limited (CHDA). DWP refused to comply with the request on the basis of section 14(1) as it considered that the burden of complying with the request was grossly oppressive. The Commissioner’s decision is that DWP has not demonstrated that section 14(1) is engaged in relation to this request. The Commissioner requires DWP to provide a fresh response to the request that does not rely on section 14(1) of FOIA. 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 the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.