ICO Decision: DFE FOI Request on Student Finance Costs

ICO Decision Notices

Filed March 13th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) issued a decision regarding a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Department for Education (DfE) concerning student finance costs. The ICO upheld the DfE's decision to withhold projected cost information under FOIA section 35(1)(a).

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What changed

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued a decision notice (Case Ref: IC-400967-N7L2) concerning a Freedom of Information (FOI) request made to the Department for Education (DfE). The complainant sought details on costs incurred for an alternative student finance (ASF) system and projected costs, including those from defaulted loans. The DfE disclosed incurred costs but withheld projected costs under FOIA section 35(1)(a), relating to the formulation or development of government policy.

The Commissioner's decision is that the DfE was entitled to withhold the projected cost information under section 35(1)(a) of the FOIA. Consequently, the Commissioner does not require further steps from the DfE. This decision means that the DfE's withholding of the projected financial information related to the ASF system is upheld, and no further action will be taken by the ICO in this matter.

Source document (simplified)

Department For Education (DFE)

Date 13 March 2026
Sector Central government
Decision(s) FOI 35(1)(a): Not upheld The complainant requested the costs incurred to date in the planning and execution of an alternative student finance (ASF) system, along with the projected costs to the taxpayer, including projected costs arising from defaulted and unpaid student loans. The Department for Education (DfE) disclosed the costs incurred to date but withheld the projected cost information under section 35(1)(a) of FOIA (formulation or development of government policy).The Commissioner’s decision is that DfE was entitled to withhold the information under section 35(1)(a) of FOIA. The Commissioner does not require further steps.