Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

The complainant requested information about applications in respect of the Building Safety Fund (BSF). The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) provided some information and withheld other information under section 38 (health and safety) of the FOIA. During the course of the Commissioner’s investigation, DLUHC withdrew reliance on section 38 and stated that it was relying on section 14(1) (vexatious requests), based on the grossly oppressive burden that complying with the request would impose. The Commissioner’s decision is that DLUHC is entitled to rely upon section 14(1) to refuse to comply with the request. The Commissioner does not require any steps to be taken.