An information tribunal judge has unexpectedly refused consent for the Department of Work and Pensions to appeal his ruling that four reports on the Universal Credit programme be published.{jcomments on}
The ruling undermines the DWP’s claim that there would be “chilling effect” if the reports were published.
The judge’s decision, which is dated 25 April 2014, means the DWP will have to publish the reports under the FOI Act - or it has 28 days to appeal the judge’s refusal to grant consent for an appeal.
The DWP is certain to appeal again. It has shown that money is no object when it comes to funding appeals to keep the four reports secret.
In 2012 John Slater, who has 25 years experience working in IT and programme and project management, had requested the UC Issues Register, Milestone Schedule and Risk Register.
Also in 2012 Tony Collins requested a UC project assessment review by the Cabinet Office’s Major Projects Authority.
Last month the “first-tier” information tribunal ruled that all four reports should be published. It rejected the DWP’s claim that disclosure would inhibit the candour and boldness of civil servants who contributed to the reports – the so-called chilling effect.
The DWP sought the tribunal’s leave to appeal the ruling, describing it as “perverse”. It said the tribunal had wholly misunderstood what is meant by a “chilling effect”, how it is manifested and how its existence can be proved.
Now Judge David Farrer QC says his tribunal has understood the chilling effect but found no evidence that it was relevant to the four reports in question. Indeed the judge implies that if the chilling effect existed there would be evidence of it.
Read Tony Collins’ full story and comments on the Campaign4change website
Our thanks to Pre-Raphaelite Sister for spotting this story for us
