Office for Budget Responsibility

The complainant has requested details of any preparatory work held by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) that relates to the “Growth Plan 2022” delivered in Parliament on 23 September 2022, by the then Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng. The OBR confirmed that it held one document, a note sent to the Chancellor on 6 September 2022, that it considered to be relevant to the request. However, the OBR refused to release this information, citing section 36(2)(b)(i) and (ii) – inhibition to the free and frank provision of advice and exchange of views - of FOIA. The Commissioner has decided that whilst the exemption at section 36(2)(b)(i) and (ii) is engaged, the public interest favours disclosure of the requested information in this instance. The Commissioner requires the OBR to release a copy of the note sent to the Chancellor on 6 September 2022.