Cabinet Office
610 FOI requests | Full disclosure rate: 24.1%
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 (610)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020-06-04 | Complete copy of a Report by Angela Main-Thompson dated 18.02.17 | Decision Notice - Complaint upheld |
| The requester sought a complete copy of a 2017 report by Angela Main-Thompson regarding a conflict of interest review involving Ministers Shimmin and Skelly. The Cabinet Office refused to confirm or deny holding the information, citing an absolute exemption for personal data, a decision later upheld by the Information Commissioner. | ||
| 2020-06-01 | Planning appeals outstanding | All information sent |
| The request sought figures on outstanding planning appeals as of May 2020 and determined appeals without site visits since January 2019. The Cabinet Office disclosed that there were 26 outstanding appeals and one appeal determined without a site visit in 2020. | ||
| 2020-05-29 | Coronavirus confirmed fatalities and influenza | All information sent |
| The requester asked for data on laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 fatalities and influenza-related deaths in the Isle of Man. The Cabinet Office confirmed that all reported COVID-19 deaths were laboratory-confirmed and provided an attached document containing respiratory mortality trends for influenza. | ||
| 2020-05-20 | Returning Residents who stayed at The Comis Hotel | All information sent |
| The requester asked for the number of returning residents quarantined at The Comis Hotel who tested positive for COVID-19 during or within 14 days after their stay. The Cabinet Office responded that their records show zero instances of repatriated citizens testing positive for the virus. | ||
| 2020-05-20 | Question about Essential Workers | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for the number of essential workers who tested positive for Covid-19 within 28 days of entering the Isle of Man. The Cabinet Office responded that it does not hold this information because it does not track incoming essential workers for that specific period. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2020-05-11 | Council of Ministers Senior Race Day Bank Holiday discussions | All information sent |
| The request sought minutes regarding Council of Ministers discussions on cancelling and rescheduling the 2020 Senior Race Day Bank Holiday. The authority disclosed all information, providing 61 pages of documents including the Official Report of Tynwald Court proceedings from May 12, 2020. | ||
| 2020-05-08 | Cancellation of Senior Race Day 2020 | All information sent |
| The request sought information regarding the cancellation of the 2020 Senior Race Day bank holiday and the establishment of a replacement holiday in August. The Cabinet Office disclosed all information, including the statutory order cancelling the holiday due to the cancellation of the Tourist Trophy races and Council of Ministers minutes approving a replacement holiday on August 28, 2020. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2020-05-07 | Bank holidays | All information sent |
| The request sought details on the decision-making process and impact assessment regarding the cancellation of the 2020 Senior Race Day bank holiday. The authority responded by providing the official Tynwald Court Hansard report from May 12, 2020, which documents the discussion and the subsequent refusal to grant leave for a debate on the cancellation. | ||
| 2020-04-28 | Covid advice | Not upheld |
| The requester sought all Covid-19 advice and Council of Ministers minutes regarding health, borders, human rights, and schools since January 1, 2020, resulting in a 'Not upheld' outcome with the disclosure of specific papers on childcare risks and border re-entry quarantine protocols. | ||
| 2020-04-27 | Key workers | All information sent |
| The request sought sector-specific data on exemptions granted under the Emergency Powers Act for key workers to return to the Isle of Man and avoid self-isolation. The Cabinet Office disclosed detailed statistics on travel and self-isolation exemptions issued up to 13 May 2020, clarifying that no quarantine exemptions were issued. | ||
| 2020-04-01 | Medical advice supplied to Chief Minster | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for medical advice used by the Chief Minister to justify excluding Manx residents from returning to the Isle of Man during the pandemic. The Cabinet Office withheld all information, citing exemptions related to the formulation of government policy during an ongoing emergency. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2020-03-09 | South Douglas by election | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for the specific dates of each stage in the South Douglas by-election process. The Cabinet Office provided a draft timetable but noted that the election was postponed indefinitely following an announcement by the Chief Minister on 16 March 2020. | ||
| 2020-03-02 | Savings | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Isle of Man Cabinet Office for accumulated savings from the 'New Terms for New Starters' initiative. The authority responded that the information is not held because it is impossible to accurately identify savings due to constantly changing job roles. | ||
| 2020-03-02 | White paper of working group for national telecoms infrastructure | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| A request was made for a white paper on national telecoms infrastructure prepared by the Chief Minister's working group, but no information was sent because the document was already publicly available online. | ||
| 2020-02-25 | No.1176149 No. of staff employed | All information sent |
| The requester asked for staff employment figures for the Department of Infrastructure comparing 2013 to 2020, specifically distinguishing between civil servants and manual workers by full-time and part-time status. The Cabinet Office disclosed the requested data, providing both Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) and headcount numbers for both categories, noting that zero-hours contracts were excluded. | ||
| 2020-01-29 | Retirement | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request for data on civil servant retirements, pensions, and re-employment was partially fulfilled by the Isle of Man Cabinet Office, which provided retirement statistics but withheld pension and re-employment data. | ||
| 2020-01-28 | Princess Anne | All information sent |
| A request was made for the total cost of Princess Anne's October 2019 visit to the Isle of Man and her stay at Government House. The Cabinet Office disclosed that the visit cost £760 and clarified that the Princess Royal did not stay overnight. | ||
| 2020-01-27 | I'll health retirement | Information not held |
| The requester asked for ten years of annual figures on ill health retirements for civil servants and manual craft workers, split by high and low tiers. The Cabinet Office responded that they do not hold this information and directed the requester to the Public Sector Pensions Authority. | ||
| 2020-01-03 | John Spicer, Health and Care Transformation Director | All information sent |
| A request was made for the employment contract of John Spicer, Health and Care Transformation Director, and the Cabinet Office disclosed the full Statement of Written Particulars. | ||
| 2019-12-31 | Zero hours contracts | Information not held |
| A request was made to the Isle of Man Cabinet Office for data on the number of zero-hours contract workers who are former government employees. The authority responded that it does not hold the requested information. | ||
| 2019-12-17 | Naturalisation/Registration of British Citizens | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought detailed statistics on British citizenship applications, including breakdowns by type, nationality, and processing times for the Isle of Man between 2016 and 2019. The Cabinet Office provided historical data on application totals and financial year breakdowns but refused requests for specific nationality data and post-2017 naturalisation/registration splits, citing that such information would require creating new data or substantial analysis. | ||
| 2019-12-17 | Worker Migrant - Confirmation of Employment | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request for detailed statistics on Worker Migrant Confirmations of Employment and data sharing agreements was partially fulfilled by the Isle of Man Cabinet Office. The authority disclosed available CoE data in an appendix but refused requests for employer names, refusal statistics, and specific SOC code analysis as this information is not held or would require creating new data. | ||
| 2019-12-02 | Internal Division running costs | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for staffing details and running costs of a non-existent 'International Development Division', which the Cabinet Office clarified falls under the External Relations team. While general salary scales and pension percentages were provided, specific FTE allocations for development work and office space costs were withheld as the authority does not hold this granular data. | ||
| 2019-11-11 | Zero hour contracts | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Isle of Man Cabinet Office to determine the number of government employees on zero-hour contracts. The authority disclosed that 2,143 individuals hold only casual contracts, while 2,174 hold both casual and substantive contracts. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2019-11-04 | Application Form | All information sent |
| The applicant requested confirmation on whether the Chief Secretary approved the Freedom of Information form used by Douglas Corporation and why it differs from the standard computerised form. The Cabinet Office confirmed the form is approved but warned the applicant that their high volume of requests may be considered vexatious under the Freedom of Information Act 2015. | ||
| 2019-10-28 | Laxey Flooding | Information not held |
| A request was made for correspondence regarding flood preparedness and road repairs in Laxey involving the Flood Agency, Civil Defence, and Manx Utilities. The Cabinet Office responded that it does not hold the requested information and directed the applicant to other relevant authorities. | ||
| 2019-10-28 | Michael Hurley | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made for details regarding payments, accommodation, and travel expenses for Michael Hurley acting as an inspector for the Eastern Area Plan and planning appeals. The Cabinet Office disclosed daily rates, hotel names, and specific accommodation costs for the Eastern Plan, but refused to provide total historical payments or detailed subsistence breakdowns for planning appeals as the information was not held or would require derivation. | ||
| 2019-10-28 | Wedding - Garden of Government House-15 September 2018 (Malarkey) | Some information sent but not all held |
| A requester sought details regarding the authorization and use of Government House gardens for an MHK's daughter's wedding in September 2018, questioning potential conflicts of interest and public access rules. The Cabinet Office responded that some information was provided, but not all requested data was held by the authority. | ||
| 2019-10-15 | Rates Bks | Some information sent but not all held |
| A request was made regarding the costs and ownership definition methods for BKS work on a new rating system. The Cabinet Office disclosed a partial cost figure but stated they do not hold information regarding how ownership would be defined. | ||
| 2019-10-13 | Letters | Some information sent but not all held |
| The requester asked for government policies on letter signatures and font sizes, referencing a past Tynwald report. The Cabinet Office disclosed that no policy exists for signatures but confirmed a minimum 10pt font size requirement in the Corporate Identity Guidelines. | ||
| 2019-10-10 | Cost of John Barret | All information sent |
| A request was made to the Isle of Man Cabinet Office for the total amount paid to John Barrett. The authority disclosed that Barrett had received £3,589.87 plus VAT and was in the process of being paid an additional £53,971.20 plus VAT. | ||
| 2019-10-10 | John Barrett | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for the reasons and benefits of retaining an Isle of Man barrister, but the Cabinet Office refused to provide new information stating it was already reasonably accessible via previous FOI responses. | ||
| 2019-10-08 | Michael Hurley | All information sent |
| The request sought employment history for Michael Hurley by the Isle of Man government, specifically the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. The Cabinet Office disclosed his engagement as an Independent Planning Inspector between 2005-2009 and 2016-present, while advising the requester to contact the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture separately for direct employment records. | ||
| 2019-10-07 | Apllication by the RNLI for a Small Grant | Upheld - partial |
| The request sought the RNLI's Small Grant application form submitted to the Isle of Man Cabinet Office's International Development department. The authority partially upheld the request by disclosing the pre-application requirements and the completed charity information section of the form, while redacting personal contact details and trustee names. | ||
| 2019-10-07 | RNLI | Not upheld |
| The requester asked for minutes regarding the Cabinet Office Political Group's approval of an International Development Small Grant to the RNLI. The authority provided an extract from the minutes confirming the approval of the 'SwimSafe' project and listing other grants approved during the same meeting. | ||
| 2019-10-07 | Use of Government House in August, September and October 2018 | All information sent |
| The requester asked for a list of non-government events held at Government House in August, September, and October 2018. The Cabinet Office disclosed that no such events occurred in August or October, while three specific events were held in September, all of which incurred no cost to the taxpayer. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2019-09-27 | Engagement of John Barrett QC for Area Plan Inquiry | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought correspondence, appointment reasons, and costs regarding John Barrett QC for the Area Plan for the East inquiry. The Cabinet Office disclosed that no correspondence was held, explained the appointment followed a mini-tender, and revealed an hourly rate of £200. | ||
| 2019-09-26 | John Barrett | All information sent |
| The request sought details on John Barrett's payment for representing the Cabinet Office at the Area Plan for the East inquiry and the availability of legal aid for opposing residents. The authority disclosed Barrett's hourly rate and explained that legal aid is unavailable for such inquisitorial processes. | ||
| 2019-09-24 | Brexit retail | No information sent - all held but exempt |
| The requester asked for advice received by the Council of Ministers from retailers regarding Brexit, specifically referencing a March 2019 paper. The Cabinet Office refused to disclose the information, citing exemptions related to commercial interests and the need for confidential contingency planning. | ||
| 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. | ||
| 2019-09-09 | Applications for permanent residency | All information sent |
| The request sought documents regarding the impact of No Deal Brexit and permanent residency applications on the Isle of Man's net migration, skilled workforce, and population growth. The Cabinet Office disclosed two documents totaling 18 pages, though the majority of the content within the provided text is redacted. | ||
| 2019-09-09 | Return of expats and EU nationals to the Isle of Man | Information not held |
| The requester asked for documents regarding the return of expats and EU nationals to the Isle of Man post-Brexit and their impact on infrastructure and health services. The Cabinet Office responded that no such information is held because the Immigration Service does not track British citizens returning from the EU, as they are not under immigration control. | ||
| 2019-09-05 | planning appeal information | Some information sent but not all held |
| The request sought statistics on planning appeals in the Isle of Man between 2015 and 2019, including total numbers, proportions of written submissions, and average processing times. The Cabinet Office provided data on appeal totals and submission proportions but refused to disclose average processing times due to practical refusal reasons. | ||
| 2019-09-04 | employment | All information sent |
| The request sought statistics on job advertisements for civil servants and manual craft workers between 2015 and 2019, along with details on new starter terms. The Cabinet Office disclosed full data broken down by employment group and date range, confirming that new terms applied from April 2016. | ||
| 2019-09-03 | FOI Requests to Andreas, Ballaugh & Jurby | All information sent |
| The requester asked for documentation regarding why Andreas, Ballaugh, and Jurby do not accept FOI requests via the central portal and how the government monitors their compliance. The Cabinet Office responded by providing correspondence detailing the implementation timeline, training sessions offered to local authorities, and guidance on the phased introduction of the FOI Act. | ||
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