UK Sport

Exemptions

Whilst the Freedom of Information Act creates a right to request information, it also creates a number of exemptions from that right. This allows us to withhold some information requested.

Exemptions fall into two categories, absolute and qualified:

Absolute Exemption

Some exemptions are absolute, which means that any information falling within the terms of this exemption does not have to be disclosed. In some of these cases we do not have to tell you whether or not we hold the information.

Qualified Exemption

Where an exemption is qualified UK Sport must decide whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure when considering whether or not to apply the exemption. This is known as the Public Interest Test. In some cases where we have applied a qualified exemption, we do not have to tell you whether we hold the information.

Where an exemption has been applied we will inform you which exemptions have been applied and why, unless to give this explanation would in itself reveal the exempt information. When considering whether qualified exemptions apply to a request for information it may be necessary to take longer than the normal 20 days to respond. In these cases you will be informed within 20 days when we expect to provide a response.

The following is a list of the exemptions:

• Information accessible to applicant by other means
• Information intended for future publication
• Information supplied by, or relating to, bodies dealing with security matters
• National security
• Defence
• International relations
• Relations within the United Kingdom
• The economy
• Investigations and proceedings conducted by public authorities
• Law enforcement
• Court records, etc
• Audit functions
• Parliamentary privilege
• Formulation of government policy, etc
• Prejudice to effective conduct of public affairs
• Communications with Her Majesty, etc. and honours
• Health and safety
• Environmental information
• Personal information
• Information provided in confidence
• Legal professional privilege
• Commercial interests
• Prohibitions on disclosure

For further information about the different categories of exemptions please see the guidance issued on the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) website.

What happens if my request is refused or I am unhappy with the response?

UK Sport will fully comply with the provisions of the FOI Act, and is fully behind the spirit of the Act, which is for openness and accountability. However, there will be times when we are unable to provide some, or all, of the information you have requested, because it is not in the public interest to do so. In these cases, we will explain why we have withheld information.

Internal Review

If you are dissatisfied with our response you may ask the Department to review the decision or reconsider whether you have received all the information to which you are entitled. A member (or members) of staff not involved in the original request will undertake the review and will inform you in writing of the outcome. If you would like to request an internal review please write to:

Freedom of Information Resource Unit
UK Sport
40 Bernard Street
London WC1N 1ST

Complaint to the Information Commissioner

If you remain dissatisfied after the review and feel we have not complied with our obligations under the Freedom of Information Act, you will be able to complain to the Information Commissioner. You can contact the Information Commissioner at:

The Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF

Information Line: 01625 545745

Switchboard: 01625 545700

Fax: 01625 524510

Email: mail@ico.gsi.gov.uk

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