Office for National Statistics
- Date 16 June 2025
- Sector Central government
- Decision(s) FOI 1(1): Upheld, FOI 10(1): Upheld, FOI 41(1): Not upheld, FOI 17(1): Upheld
The Commissioner’s decision is, first, that the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is entitled to rely on section 41(1) of FOIA to withhold some of the correspondence that has been requested. Section 41 concerns information provided in confidence. Second, on the balance of probabilities the Commissioner finds that ONS holds no further information within scope of the request. However, it breached sections 1(1), 10(1) and 17(1) of FOIA as it didn’t communicate all the non-exempt information it holds, or issue a section 40(2) refusal notice, within 20 working days of the request. It’s not necessary for ONS to take any steps.