Cabinet Office
- Date 30 October 2023
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 36(2)(b)(ii): Not upheld
The complainant requested information from the Cabinet Office about the results from a “happiness machine” used to survey staff at Number 10 Downing Street and the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office withheld the requested information citing section 36(2)(b)(ii) of FOIA (prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs – inhibit the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation) as its basis for doing so.
The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office is entitled to rely on section 36(2)(b)(ii) to refuse to provide the requested information.
The Commissioner does not require the Cabinet Office to take any steps.