Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Central Freedom of Information Team
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx
Our reference: FoI 2271
Date: 13 July 2016
Dear Mr Allan,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request received on 27 June
2016. You asked:
“To put my request in context, I have been told by a JCP work coach that the
Jobcentre are now legally empowered to retain or photocopy claimant's work
search activities without the claimant's consent.
Is there any legal requirement now in place for claimants in receipt of
Jobseeker's Allowance or the Jobseeker's Allowance element of Universal
Credit that allows the Jobcentre to retain or photocopy a claimant’s work
search activities without the claimant's consent”? To put the format of this response into context, it may be helpful if we explain
about the Freedom of Information Act. The Act concerns the provision of
recorded information held by public authorities such as DWP; the Act does not
require that we create new information or generate answers to questions.
Therefore, if a request is made in the form of a question, we provide the
recorded information already held that answers the question.
In this instance, we can confirm there is no law that allows the jobcentre to
retain or photocopy a Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit claimant’s
work search activities without their consent. Therefore, there is no recorded
information that answers your question.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact us 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