8th June 2009
FOI - 0003118
Dear Mr Gulliford,
Your request of the 8th May 2009 about the Indices of Deprivation has been considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
I am writing to advise you that Communities and Local Government does not hold the information you asked for. Neither our contractors (who have produced the last three Indices of Deprivation dating back to ID2000) nor this Department have records relating to any discussions about inclusion or otherwise of family breakdown into the Indices of Deprivation, aside from correspondences this department has previously had with you.
As part of the production of each of the last three Indices we have conducted public consultations on composition, coverage and methodology of the Indices. After reviewing the documentation we hold for these consultations, I can also confirm that we can find no record of any response(s) raising family breakdown as a potential domain for inclusion within the Indices.
Communities and Local Government as an organisation aims to be as helpful as possible in the way it deals with requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. If, however, you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or the outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter. Information about the Department's review procedures and how to apply for an internal review of your case is contained on the Department's website at http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/corporate/pdf/514130.pdf. This also explains your right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision in the event that you remain dissatisfied following the authority's review.
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me.
Yours sincerely
Guy Weir
Senior Research Officer