Department for Work and Pensions

The complainant has requested information regarding an internal audit of Universal Credit claimants. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) withheld the requested information on the basis of section 35(1)(a), formulation or development of government policy. The Commissioner’s decision is that DWP is entitled to rely on section 35(1)(a) to withhold the majority of the information, however, the balance of the public interest favours disclosure for the information that is in the public domain. The Commissioner requires DWP to disclose document 6 which is already in the public domain. The public authority must take these steps within 30 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.