Secretary of State for the Home Department (Home Office)
- Date 18 February 2025
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 10(1): Upheld, FOI 12(1): Not upheld, FOI 16: Not upheld
The complainant has requested information about withdrawn asylum claims between 7 August 2023 to 9 August 2023. The Home Office relied on section 12(1) of FOIA (cost of compliance) to refuse the request.
The Commissioner’s decision is that the Home Office (HO) was entitled to rely on section 12(1) of FOIA to refuse the request and that it complied with its section 16 obligation to offer advice and assistance. However, the Commissioner also finds that the HO breached section 10 of FOIA as it failed to issue its response within 20 working days.
The Commissioner does not require the Home Office to take any remedial steps.