Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Central Freedom of Information Team
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx
Our reference: IR565
Date: 5 December 2017
Dear A. James
Thank you for your Freedom of Information (FOI) review request, which we
received on 8 November 2017. You asked:
I note that you have ignored the following part of my request for an internal
review
"IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you continue to refuse then please provide an index of the documents (with
titles) that you are refusing to disclose so, should it become necessary to
involve the ICO or HMCTS I will be able to state in precise terms what you are
refusing to divulge."
DWP Response:
I am of a senior grade to the person who dealt with your request; I was not
involved previously, and can confirm that I have carried out an internal review.
I am now in a position to respond to you. I can now provide additional
information originally requested and apologise that this was not sent originally.
The FIU team are guided by the Criminal Enforcement guidance in the 2012
scheme Policy Law and Decision Making Guidance. They also utilise
published legislation such as the Child Support Information, Evidence and
Disclosure and Maintenance and Jurisdiction (amendment) Regulations 2000
and published legislation such as Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
2000.
In September 2017 the Information Commissioner confirmed that DWP was
entitled to withhold some information in relation to Information Gathering
within on the basis of s.36(2)(c) FOIA; disclosure of the relevant guidance
would be likely to prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs, and the
public interest favoured maintaining the exemption.
I have attached the guidance that the Information Commissioner has
approved for release.
Attached: Annex A – Information Gathering
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the
reference number above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Central FoI Team
Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx or by writing to: DWP, Central FoI Team,
Caxton House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NA. Any review request should be submitted within two
months of the date of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the
Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision. Generally the Commissioner cannot make a
decision unless you have exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information
Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House,
Water Lane, Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF
www.ico.org.uk/Global/contact_us or telephone 0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745