Ministry of Defence
- Date 2 May 2024
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 36: Partly upheld, FOI 43: Upheld
The complainant submitted a request to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) seeking a) the percentage increase mandated to AWE Plc for the remuneration of staff for the 2023 June pay round and b) the date when this percentage offered. The MOD withheld this information on the basis of sections 36(2)(c) (effective conduct of public affairs) and 43(2) (commercial interests) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that section 43(2) does not provide a basis to withhold either piece of requested information. Both pieces of information are exempt from disclosure on the basis of section 36(2)(c) and while the public interest favours maintaining the percentage mandated, the public interest favours disclosure of the date this mandate was offered to AWE. Information Tribunal FT/EA/2024/0204 under appeal.