The complainant requested information from the Child Maintenance Enforcement Commission (CMEC) relating to the top 10 highest amounts owed by individuals in child maintenance arrears. During the course of the Information Commissioner’s investigation the CMEC ceased to exist and its functions and responsibilities were transferred to the Child Maintenance Group within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Throughout the decision notice reference is therefore also made to the DWP. Any reference to the DWP should therefore also be taken as reference to the CMEC. The DWP refused to provide the information on the basis of section 40(2) and subsequently section 44 was also applied. The Commissioner’s decision is that DWP has incorrectly relied on the exemptions to withhold the requested information. The Commissioner requires the public authority to provide the complainant with the information requested. Information Tribunal appeal number EA/2012/0217 dismissed.
Section of Act/EIR and Finding: FOI 40 – Complaint Upheld, FOI 44 – Complaint Upheld
Citations:
[2012] UKICO FS50447854
Links:
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Information
Updated: 27 August 2022; Ref: scu.529817