Information Commissioner's Office

Cabinet Office

15 February 2016, Central government

The complainant has requested from the Cabinet Office polling information collected in advance of the referendum on independence for Scotland. Following an earlier decision notice from the Information Commissioner requiring it to respond, the Cabinet Office did so. It refused to provide the requested information citing section 35 as its basis for doing so. It failed to conduct an internal review despite the complainant’s request. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Cabinet Office is entitled to rely on section 35 as its basis for refusing the request. No steps are required.

FOI 35: Not upheld