The complainant requested the inspection reports following the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority’s (the ‘GLAA’) inspections of farms in 2021. Ultimately, after seeking clarification of the request from the complainant during the course of the Commissioner’s investigation, the GLAA said it could not provide the requested information on the grounds of cost, citing section 12(1) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the GLAA complied with its advice and assistance obligations in accordance with section 16 of FOIA. However, for the reasons set out in this notice, the Commissioner does not agree that section 12(1) of FOIA is engaged. The Commissioner requires the GLAA to issue a fresh response to the request that does not rely on section 12(1) of FOIA within 30 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. 

Keywords: Compliance