They Refused Every FOI Request
We asked DHCW how it spends public money. Six requests. One identical refusal. Not one question answered.
In March 2026, we filed six Freedom of Information requests targeting programme costs, consultancy spending, procurement contracts, cyber security compliance, and total public funding.
DHCW refused every request without assessing a single one on its merits. It sent the same letter six times, citing a technicality: the requests were submitted under a campaign name rather than an individual's name (Section 8(1)(b) of the FOI Act).
The ICO's own guidance states that public authorities should still consider requests where the requester's identity is not relevant to the disclosure decision. Questions about public expenditure do not require a name to be answered.
We are resubmitting all requests under an individual's name and filing a formal complaint with the Information Commissioner.
Download the DHCW refusal letter (PDF)
More detail in English / Mwy o fanylion yn Saesneg:
- Six FOI Requests. One Identical Refusal. — full analysis
- FOI Tracker — all 57 requests and their statuses