ICO Upholds FOI Complaint Against DHSC

ICO Decision Notices

Filed March 20th, 2026

Detected March 24th, 2026

Summary

The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has upheld a complaint against the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) for failing to complete public interest test considerations within a reasonable time. The DHSC is now required to provide a substantive response to the FOI request within 30 calendar days.

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What changed

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) issued a decision notice on March 20, 2026, upholding a Freedom of Information (FOI) complaint against the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC). The ICO found that DHSC failed to complete its public interest test considerations within a reasonable time, violating its obligations under FOIA. The decision requires DHSC to provide a substantive response to the FOI request within 30 calendar days.

This decision signifies a substantive change in the expected timeline for DHSC's response to FOI requests. Compliance officers within DHSC or similar government bodies should ensure that all FOI requests, particularly those involving public interest tests, are processed and responded to within established reasonable timeframes. Failure to comply with the ICO's directive within the 30-day period could lead to further enforcement action or penalties.

What to do next

Provide a substantive response to the FOI request within 30 calendar days.

Source document (simplified)

Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC)

Date 20 March 2026
Sector Central government
Decision(s) FOI 17(3): Upheld The public authority has failed to complete its public interest test considerations within a reasonable time in accordance with its obligations under FOIA. The Commissioner requires it to provide a substantive response to the request within 30 calendar days in accordance with its obligations under FOIA.