ICO Decision: Oxford City Council correctly withheld expense report data

ICO Decision Notices

Filed March 19th, 2026

Detected March 24th, 2026

Summary

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) issued a decision finding that Oxford City Council correctly withheld expense report data under section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The decision upholds the council's reliance on the third-party personal information exemption.

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What changed

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has ruled that Oxford City Council was correct in withholding expense report data, citing section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which pertains to third-party personal information. The complainant had requested redacted expense reports, but the Council successfully argued that disclosing this information would breach the privacy rights of individuals other than the data subject.

This decision confirms the Council's application of FOIA exemptions and means no further action is required from them. For public authorities, this reinforces the validity of using section 40(2) to protect personal data within expense reports when disclosure would be unfair to the individuals concerned. Compliance officers should note that ICO decisions on FOI exemptions are binding on the public authority in question.

Source document (simplified)

Oxford City Council

Date 19 March 2026
Sector Local government
Decision(s) FOI 40(2): Not upheld The complainant has requested a copy of redacted data from expense reports. Oxford City Council (the Council) relied on section 40(2) of FOIA (third party personal information) to withhold the information. The Commissioner’s decision is that the public authority has correctly relied on section 40(2) of FOIA to withhold the information. The Commissioner does not require further steps to be taken.