The complainant has requested the scientific advice used to inform changes to the shielding policy in July 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. The Department of Health and Social Care (‘DHSC’) withheld the information under section 35(1)(a) of the FOIA (formulation or development of government policy) and considered the public interest favoured maintaining the exemption. The Commissioner’s decision is as follows: At the time of the request, DHSC correctly applied section 35(1)(a) of the FOIA to the information, but the public interest favoured its disclosure. The Commissioner requires DHSC to take the following step to ensure compliance with the legislation: Disclose the information being withheld under section 35(1)(a), having first redacted the personal data of any less senior officers. First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) Information Rights appeal EA/2021/0358 under appeal.
FOI 35: Complaint upheld
Citations:
[2021] UKICO ic-84300
Links:
Jurisdiction:
England and Wales
Information
Updated: 07 December 2022; Ref: scu.675006
