This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Lockdown cost/benefit'.


 
 
Freedom of Information Team  
 
Department of Health and Social Care  
 
39 Victoria Street 
 
London 
 
SW1H 0EU  
www.gov.uk/dhsc 
 
 
Mr Ian Dalton 
request-718410-
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx 
 
26 January 2021 
 
Dear Mr Dalton, 
 
Freedom of Information Request Reference FOI-1292744 
 
Thank you for your request dated 14 January 2021 in which you asked the Department of Health 
and Social Care (DHSC)
 
“I would like to see your full lockdown cost/benefit analysis and risk assessment for lockdowns that 
takes into account not just the financial impact of the lockdown on the economy, but also the cost 
to human life, mental health, effects on children and vulnerable people. It should also include the 
long term effects of the economic damage caused by the lockdowns such as poverty creation, 
homelessness, starvation etc. I would like to see your assessment of how lockdowns can be 
justified when set against the damage and additional loss of life that we know they cause.” 
 
Your request has been handled under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). 
 
DHSC does not hold the information you requested. You may wish to contact the Cabinet Office 
(CO) directly, as it may hold the information you requested. CO can be contacted at 
xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx. 
 
Outside of the scope of the FOIA, and on a discretionary basis, you may be interested in the 
information found at the following link: 
 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/
944823/Analysis_of_the_health_economic_and_social_effects_of_COVID-
19_and_the_approach_to_tiering_FINAL_-_accessible_v2.pdf 
 
If you are not satisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to appeal by asking for 
an internal review. This should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter and sent to 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx, or to the address at the top of this letter. 
 
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communication. 
 
If you are not content with the outcome of your internal review, you may complain directly to the 
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Generally, the ICO cannot make a decision unless you 
have already appealed our original response and received our internal review decision. You should 
raise your concerns with the ICO within three months of your last meaningful contact with us. 

The ICO can be contacted at:  
   
The Information Commissioner's Office  
Wycliffe House 
Water Lane  
Wilmslow 
Cheshire  
SK9 5AF  
 
https://ico.org.uk/concerns/ 
 
Yours sincerely, 
 
Hazel Percy 
Freedom of Information Officer 
E: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx