Department for Communities
- Date 13 May 2025
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 31: Upheld
The complainant has asked about claims for Universal Credit being closed, and individuals prosecuted, as a result of being found to have spent significant time outside of the United Kingdom. The Department for Communities refused to confirm or deny that it held the requested information, citing section 31(3) in conjunction with section 31(1)(a) (prejudice to the prevention or detection of crime). The Commissioner’s decision is that the Department was not entitled to refuse to confirm or deny that it holds the requested information. The Commissioner requires the Department to confirm or deny whether the requested information is held.