Cabinet Office
95 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 154.7%
The Freedom of Information requests to the Isle of Man Cabinet Office reveal an authority that is generally cooperative regarding historical data, spending totals, and employment statistics, but fiercely protective of its internal deliberative processes and contingency planning. A clear pattern emerges where the government readily discloses the *cost* of its actions—such as the £425,000 legal retainer for Lansons (464233) or the £57,000 paid to John Barrett QC (1001057)—while withholding the *strategy* behind them. This is most evident in the Brexit cluster, where documents on 'Operation Yellowhammer' (937314) and food supply chains (984789) were entirely exempted, suggesting a 'need-to-know' approach to national security and economic stability that overrides public transparency.
Key Cases
Case 937314 — The complete refusal to disclose any documents regarding 'Operation Yellowhammer' (No-Deal Brexit contingency) is a critical case. It reveals the government's decision to keep its most sensitive emergency planning entirely hidden from public scrutiny, citing exemptions that prevent any insight into how the island prepared for a potential economic and logistical collapse.
Case 464233 — This case disclosed a massive £425,000 annual retainer for the law firm Lansons, plus an additional £70,000 for 'international scrutiny.' It highlights the significant financial burden of legal defense and reputation management on the public purse, likely linked to the island's financial crime investigations.
Case 354247 — The disclosure of the Cabinet Office paper regarding the UK Investigatory Powers Bill is notable for its intersection of national security and local legislation. It shows the Isle of Man's active role in shaping its own surveillance laws in alignment with the UK, raising questions about privacy and state powers.
Case 1001057 — Revealing that John Barrett QC was paid over £57,000 for a single planning inquiry (the East Area Plan) underscores the high cost of independent legal advice in government planning. It connects to a broader narrative of expensive external consultants being used to navigate complex land-use disputes.
Case 354255 — The full release of the 'Beamans Report' on modernizing ministerial government is significant because it provides a rare, unredacted look at internal critiques of senior management structures. Unlike many policy papers, this was fully disclosed, offering a benchmark for what transparency looks like when the government is willing to share reform documents.
Related FOI Stories
Brexit Contingency and Border Security — #354247, #358517, #354299, #354301, #354303
Legal Costs and High-Profile Appointments — #354269, #354289, #354291, #464233, #980113
Government Transparency and Policy Formulation — #354255, #354267, #354309, #354357, #357735
Public Sector Employment and Workforce Data — #354221, #354313, #354315, #354321, #354327
Ministerial Conduct and Travel Expenses — #354249, #354287, #354305, #357737, #622865
All (95)
Information not held (171) ·
All information sent (147) ·
Some information sent but not all held (110) ·
Some information sent but part exempt (95) ·
No information sent - all held but exempt (31) ·
Not upheld (25) ·
Upheld - partial (10) ·
Upheld - full (6) ·
Not required to fulfill request (4) ·
Decision Notice - Complaint not upheld (3) ·
Request lapsed - requested information not provided (2) ·
Decision Notice - Complaint part upheld (2) ·
Withdrawn (1) ·
Vexatious request (1) ·
Information Notice (1) ·
Decision Notice - Complaint upheld (1) ·
| Date | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-12-15 | Conflict of interest | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on conflicts of interest regarding COVID-19 vaccine decision-making for MHKs, Dr Ewart, and the Emergency Advisory Group. The Cabinet Office confirmed Dr Ewart has no conflict, directed the requester to Tynwald for MHK registers, and provided links to public EAG minutes containing declarations. | ||
| 2021-11-22 | Population figures | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for yearly population figures for the Isle of Man, the parish of Michael, and the village of Jurby since 1980. The authority responded that the data is already reasonably accessible via census reports for specific years (1981-2016) and clarified that figures for Jurby village specifically are not available, only for the parish. | ||
| 2021-11-11 | IOM GOV funding Manx Media | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for data on Cabinet Office funding for Manx media regarding coronavirus campaigns and general media spending from 2015. The authority partially responded by clarifying the scope of the request but withheld information on pre-pandemic spending as it fell outside the original request's scope. | ||
| 2021-10-15 | Area Plan for the North and West | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on new site submissions for the North and West Area Plan received after the February 2020 deadline. The authority disclosed a specific public consultation response submitted in June 2021 regarding housing, employment, and site boundaries, while withholding other information under exemptions. | ||
| 2021-09-08 | Heritage Trail Bridges | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought Council of Ministers decisions and minutes regarding planning applications for new bridges on the St John's to Kirk Michael heritage trail. The authority provided a link to the public planning decision and released partial minutes, but withheld specific personal data under an absolute exemption. | ||
| 2021-08-26 | Legality of vaccine administration | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester questioned the legality of COVID-19 vaccine administration in the Isle of Man after the State of Emergency ended in June 2020. The Cabinet Office clarified that vaccine authorizations are managed by the UK's MHRA and are independent of the local state of emergency, confirming the vaccines are legal. | ||
| 2021-07-16 | WHO Donation | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for all records regarding the Isle of Man Government's £800,000 donation to the World Health Organization, resulting in the disclosure of 437 pages of documents including email correspondence and press releases, though some information was withheld under exemptions. | ||
| 2021-06-24 | Climate Forum Attendance | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for attendance records and minutes of the Citizens Forum on Climate Change, resulting in the disclosure of a partial attendance list while some information was withheld under exemptions. | ||
| 2021-06-16 | Northern Ireland trip | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for costs and expense receipts regarding a trip by the Chief Minister and Education Minister to the British and Irish Council in June 2021. The Cabinet Office disclosed a detailed breakdown of travel and accommodation costs but withheld specific expense receipts citing exemptions for personal data. | ||
| 2021-06-07 | Changes to Immigration Policy - Worker Migrants | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on policy development and correspondence regarding changes to Worker Migrant rules allowing third-party employment under SD2021/0002 and SD2021/0155. The response disclosed that third-party employers can be located outside the Isle of Man and that salary must be paid by the main employer, though some information was withheld under exemptions. | ||
| 2021-05-17 | Disciplinary | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought a detailed breakdown of civil servant disciplinary cases since 2017 by department, complaint nature, and outcome. The Cabinet Office provided aggregate statistics but withheld specific details that could identify individual employees under data protection exemptions. | ||
| 2021-04-09 | Consultation on Health Complaints Regulations | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for a copy of the October 2020 consultation document regarding amendments to Health Complaints Regulations for the establishment of Manx Care. The Cabinet Office provided the document, noting that some information was sent but part was exempt. | ||
| 2021-03-29 | procurement of eastern area plan inspector | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on the procurement process, specific inspectors approached, and conflict of interest protocols for the Eastern Area Plan public inquiry. The Cabinet Office disclosed the names of six inspectors approached and the legal framework for their appointment, while the response was cut off before addressing all points regarding delays and correspondence. | ||
| 2021-03-23 | SPco corporate direction notices | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for versions 1 and 2 of corporate direction notices for SPco crew members regarding COVID-19 protocols from April 2020 to February 2021. The Cabinet Office provided some documents but withheld specific information containing personal data under an absolute exemption. | ||
| 2021-03-18 | Proposed Asylum Seekers Detention Centre Isle of man | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought all internal and external correspondence regarding the UK's proposal to use the Isle of Man as an asylum seeker detention centre. The Cabinet Office released 94 pages of documents, primarily consisting of media monitoring, briefing notes, and internal communications, while confirming no official requests had been received from the UK government. | ||
| 2021-03-04 | National Health Service (Independent Review Body)(Amendment) Regulatio | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for consultation responses and documentation regarding the 2021 amendments to NHS Independent Review Body regulations, specifically questioning the exclusion of public consultation and the handling of 2006 recommendations. The authority provided a partial response containing a letter from the NHS IRB dated November 2020, which raised concerns about the consultation process and the complexity of the proposed complaint layers, while other requested documents were withheld. | ||
| 2021-03-01 | Steam Packet Direction Notices | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought all direction notices issued by the Chief Secretary to the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, including superseded ones. The Cabinet Office released some information but withheld specific details citing an absolute exemption for personal data. | ||
| 2021-02-18 | Director of Public Health - Steampacket meeting minutes, notes, emails | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought meeting minutes, notes, and emails between the Director of Public Health and the Isle of Man Steam Packet regarding staff isolation protocols during the pandemic. The authority released a partial response containing email correspondence from July and August 2020 discussing crew safety and social distancing rules, while withholding other requested information. | ||
| 2021-01-14 | Covid advice | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for all Covid-19 advice considered by the Council of Ministers regarding border controls, testing, and lockdowns, resulting in the partial release of a confidential paper from December 2020. | ||
| 2021-01-14 | office of national statistics | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought documents regarding plans to rename the Economic Affairs Division and establish an independent Office of National Statistics. The authority disclosed a Council of Ministers paper rejecting the recommendation for full independence, citing the division's dual role in policy and statistics, while noting plans to improve perceived independence through publication schedules and a code of conduct. | ||
| 2020-12-23 | Request for copies of the ACMD Annual Reports | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for ACMD annual reports from 2013 to 2020, but the Cabinet Office disclosed only the 2013 report as it is publicly available and confirmed that no separate reports were produced for subsequent years due to changes in the council's remit. | ||
| 2020-11-05 | Direction Notices | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought an example of a Direction Notice or equivalent exemption certificate issued to a Key Worker in June 2020. The Cabinet Office provided a redacted copy of a Key Worker exemption certificate but withheld personal data under an absolute exemption. | ||
| 2020-08-19 | Application of the precautionary principle to RF-EMF | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester sought clarification on the Isle of Man Government's application of the precautionary principle regarding RF-EMF health impacts, specifically requesting meeting minutes and correspondence between departments. The Cabinet Office responded by providing a letter addressing a 5G mast application in Ramsey and clarifying that ICNIRP guidelines were reviewed in 2009, while noting the request was too broad for other departments. | ||
| 2020-08-04 | Public Health Directorate | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for the diary and communications of the Isle of Man Public Health Director regarding COVID-19 between January and June 2020. The authority released partial diary entries for February and March 2020 but withheld other information under exemptions. | ||
| 2020-07-20 | Details of Exemption from Isolation certificates | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for a list of parties and groups granted Exemption from Isolation certificates for Critical National Infrastructure and professionals between March and August 2020. The Cabinet Office provided a list of applications but redacted the names of the applicants, citing an absolute exemption for personal data. | ||
| 2020-05-18 | Entry Excemption Certificates | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for statistics and copies of Entry Exemption Certificates issued under Regulation 6 between March and May 2020. The Cabinet Office responded with a partial disclosure, providing template documents and specific exemption certificates issued in May 2020, while withholding the total number of certificates issued. | ||
| 2020-05-07 | National Strategy Group | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for details on the National Strategy Group's membership, qualifications, minutes, and the scientific advice underpinning the Isle of Man's State of Emergency and key worker definitions. The authority responded with some information, including Hansard records, but withheld parts of the request citing exemptions. | ||
| 2020-03-16 | Salary Payments by Financial Institution | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for detailed public sector salary payment data by currency and financial institution for December over the last five years. The Cabinet Office provided aggregated totals and a split between resident and non-resident banks but withheld specific institution details to protect personal data. | ||
| 2019-11-05 | Overseas Aid - RNLI | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought the paper submitted by the Executive Director regarding Small Grants funding for the 2019-2021 period, specifically referencing an RNLI project. The authority released some information, including the list of approved grants and funding amounts, but withheld specific project details and assessment scores, citing partial exemptions. | ||
| 2019-10-02 | No Deal Brexit Food Contingency Planning | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought a Cabinet Office paper regarding food supply contingency planning for a no-deal Brexit, which was partially disclosed with commercially sensitive retailer details redacted. | ||
| 2019-09-09 | BREXIT - No Deal preparations | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for comprehensive documents regarding the Isle of Man's 'No Deal' Brexit preparations, including meeting minutes, impact assessments, and specific policy details on healthcare and trade. The Cabinet Office responded by releasing some information, specifically a Council of Ministers paper from August 2018, while withholding other requested materials under exemptions. | ||
| 2019-07-02 | Armed Forces Day Committee Minutes | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for the minutes of the Isle of Man Armed Forces Day Committee for the past two years. The Cabinet Office released some information but withheld specific details citing exemptions for personal data. | ||
| 2019-05-20 | Human Resources | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for government employment statistics, an on-boarding policy, details on payroll errors, and the HR CEO's salary. The Cabinet Office provided the on-boarding policy but withheld the other requested information, citing partial exemptions. | ||
| 2019-03-26 | GTS Audits Reports | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for GTS audit reports, managerial structures, and complaint statistics from 2016 onwards, resulting in the partial release of an internal ISO 20000-1:2011 audit report while other information was withheld. | ||
| 2018-11-26 | Chief Secretary | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for the full employment contract of the Chief Secretary, including salary and severance details. The Cabinet Office released a redacted version of the contract, withholding personal information under data protection exemptions. | ||
| 2018-11-02 | Council of Minister Report re: Planning Application | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for a Council of Ministers report from Independent Planning Advisor Mr. M. Ash regarding Planning Application 15/00124/B. The Cabinet Office released a redacted copy of the report, withholding specific sections under legal professional privilege. | ||
| 2018-05-22 | Site G Knock Rushen Castletown | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought all correspondence regarding Site G on the Castletown land review plan between October 2015 and May 2018. The Cabinet Office provided the requested documents but redacted personal information under Section 25 of the Act. | ||
| 2018-03-28 | Unpublished FOI requests | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for monthly statistics on FOI requests received, refused, answered, and published by the Cabinet Office over the last 12 months. The authority provided aggregate totals for the period but refused to break down the data by month, citing that they are not obliged to create information. | ||
| 2017-11-23 | Council of Ministers’ Legislation Sub-Committee; details and minutes | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought details on the creation, membership, meeting dates, and minutes of the Council of Ministers' Legislation Sub-Committee. The authority disclosed the committee's history, current members, and a list of meeting dates, but withheld the minutes pending further clarification from the requester. | ||
| 2017-10-19 | Consultations - 'Safeguarding Bill 2017' submissions | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for the number of submissions and copies of public submissions regarding the Safeguarding Bill 2017 consultation. The Cabinet Office responded that this information was already reasonably accessible online, citing Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 to withhold physical copies. | ||
| 2017-10-19 | Consultations - 'Smarter use of your data to improve Government services' submissions | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The requester asked for the number of submissions and copies of public submissions regarding the 'Smarter use of your data' consultation. The Cabinet Office responded that this information was already published online and therefore exempt from disclosure under Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015. | ||
| 2017-09-30 | Brussels Office - annual costs | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought annual costs for the Isle of Man Brussels Office for the period October 2016 to September 2017, resulting in the disclosure of operational expenses but the withholding of specific staff salary details due to personal data exemptions. | ||
| 2017-08-07 | Council of Ministers paper regarding Isle of Man Border Security Policy 2017 - Passenger Travel Information Scheme | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for a Council of Ministers paper regarding the Isle of Man Border Security Policy 2017 and Passenger Travel Information Scheme. The Cabinet Office released the document with redactions applied to sections concerning the formulation of government policy. | ||
| 2017-07-18 | Request for the individuals the Chief Minister has had formal meetings with off Island | Some information sent but part exempt |
| The request sought a list of individuals the Chief Minister met with off-Island since October 2016 and future meeting plans. The Cabinet Office provided a partial list of past meetings but withheld 13 names under qualified exemptions and stated no future formal meetings were scheduled at the time. | ||
| 2017-04-13 | Email exchanges with Information Commissioner relating to the 'Single Resident Record' | Some information sent but part exempt |
| A request was made for email exchanges between the Cabinet Office and the Information Commissioner regarding the 'Single Resident Record' project, resulting in the release of 19 pages of documents with some personal data redacted. | ||
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