The complainant has requested the cost estimate to establish a single portal for publishing all government department transparency returns, which cover meetings, gifts, hospitality and travel. The Cabinet Office initially relied on section 35(1)(a) (formulation or development of government policy) FOIA to withhold the information. At internal review, the Cabinet Office changed its position to rely on both section 35(1)(a) and section 43(2) (commercial interests). 
The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office is entitled to rely on section35(1)(a) as its basis for withholding the information and the public interest favours maintaining the exemption. The Commissioner does not require further steps.