UK Health Security Agency

The complainant has requested any correspondence received by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), when it was previously Public Health England, which were sent or received by the IPC cell. UKHSA provided some information within the scope of the request and advised the remaining was being withheld under section 40(2). The Commissioner’s decision is that: On the balance of probabilities, UKHSA has not conducted adequate searches for some of the requested information. UKHSA was only partially entitled to rely on section 40(2) when withholding some of the requested information. The Commissioner requires UKHSA to take the following steps to ensure compliance with the legislation. Conduct a fresh search for the requested information which the complainant referred to in point 3 of their internal review request. Disclose the information which the Commissioner has outlined in a confidential annex. UKHSA must take these steps within 30 calendar days of the date of this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.