Jon Ashworth correspondence 2008-09 re PFI and NHS private healthcare providers

The request was refused by Cabinet Office.

Dear Cabinet Office,

Under the Freedom of Information act, I would like to request sight of the following documents pertaining to Jonathan Ashworth MP during his time in Government:

Correspondence (including emails) sent or received by Jon Ashworth, which refer to PFI (Private Finance Initiative) contracts in the NHS, from 28th June 2007 - 31st July 2008.

Correspondence (including emails) sent or received by Jon Ashworth, which refer to the private healthcare providers and/or private provision of healthcare in the NHS, from 28th June 2007 - 31st July 2008.

Yours faithfully,

Carly Jeffrey

Cabinet Office FOI Team,

Our ref: FOI2021/23885

Dear Carly Jeffrey,

Thank you for your request for information which was received on 18th
December. Your request is being handled under the terms of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 ('the Act').

The Act requires that a response must be given promptly, and in any event
within 20 working days. We will therefore aim to reply at the latest by
20th January.

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

Yours sincerely,

Freedom of Information Team

Cabinet Office

Cabinet Office FOI Team,

1 Attachment

Dear Carly Jeffrey,

Please find attached our response to your recent Freedom of Information
request (reference FOI2021/23885).

Yours sincerely,

Freedom of Information Team

Cabinet Office

Dear Cabinet Office,

I submitted a broader version of this request on 30.07.2021. It was refused on the basis that it was too broad and would cost more that £600 to investigate (Ref: FOI2021/16036).

The original request covered correspondence between 2007 - 2010. Now I have narrowed my scope to a quarter of what it was, and am asking for a time range of one year only from (28th June 2007 - 31st July 2008). Despite this, you are now stating that I must reduce the range of my request further. You say that the information "could be contained in very many files. Searching all those that might contain relevant information to determine whether the Cabinet Office holds any information relevant to your request will exceed the appropriate limit laid down in the regulations".

Your response suggests that I narrow the time limit again as well as adding these further limitations: "focus your request on specific Policy Teams or Ministers to bring it within the appropriate limit" and limit it to "a definite context such as a particular policy or region or a notable event or initiative."

Given that I am trying to find out the *extent* of Jon Ashworth's role in bringing private providers into the NHS, your suggestions render my request useless.

You have stated that even a fee were paid to cover costs, you would still refuse.

I wonder if you are using Section 12 fairly.

Yours faithfully,

Carly Jeffrey