HM Treasury

The complainant has requested information related to a specific meeting related to the Loan Charge Review. Initially HM Treasury (“HMT”) argued that the information it held was exempt under section 35 (formulation/development of government policy). After internal review, HMT disclosed most of the requested information. It withheld some information under section 40 (personal data). It disclosed further information during the Commissioner’s investigation. The complainant argued HMT held further information within the scope of the request and that it had incorrectly deemed certain information marked within the disclosed information as being “out of scope”. They did not dispute the use of section 40. The Commissioner’s decision is that HMT holds no further information within the scope of the complainant’s request. However, in failing to provide a response within 20 working days, it contravened its obligations under section 10 of the FOIA. The Commissioner does not require further steps. Information Tribunal FTT EA/2023/0539 appeal dismissed.