ICO upholds FOI exemption for Rural Services Delivery Grant

ICO Decision Notices

Filed March 18th, 2026

Detected March 25th, 2026

Summary

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has upheld the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's decision to withhold information regarding the withdrawal of the Rural Services Delivery Grant. The ICO found that the exemption under section 35(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 was correctly applied.

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What changed

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued a decision notice upholding the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's (MHCLG) application of the section 35(1)(a) exemption under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. This exemption relates to the formulation or development of government policy. The decision means that information concerning the withdrawal of the Rural Services Delivery Grant will remain withheld from the complainant.

This decision has limited immediate operational impact for regulated entities, as it pertains to a specific FOI request and a central government department. However, it reinforces the application of FOI exemptions related to policy development, which may be relevant for public sector bodies or those interacting with them regarding sensitive policy information. No further steps are required by the MHCLG.

Source document (simplified)

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

Date 18 March 2026
Sector Central government
Decision(s) FOI 35(1)(a): Not upheld The complainant has requested information about the withdrawal of the Rural Services Delivery Grant. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that the information was withheld under the exemption provided by section 35(1)(a) (formulation or development of government policy) of FOIA. The Commissioner’s decision is that the MHCLG was entitled to withhold the information under section 35(1)(a). The Commissioner does not require further steps.