Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government

The complainant requested target dates for completion of work to address safety issues on a specific building. The Ministry Of Housing, Communities and Local Government (“MHCLG”) initially refused the request under the exemption for information provided in confidence (section 41). During the Commissioner’s investigation it revised its position to rely on the exemption for health and safety (section 38). The Commissioner’s decision is that the exemption in section 38(1)(b) is engaged but that the public interest favours disclosing the information. The Commissioner requires MHCLG to disclose the requested target dates to the complainant.