Money towards Covid-19

Summary

The requester asked for details on money received by the Isle of Man government for COVID-19 and payments made to Manx media services. The Cabinet Office disclosed a spreadsheet of Public Health media payments but stated it did not hold information on funds received for vaccines or testing, while citing that some advertising data was already publicly accessible.

Key Facts

• The Cabinet Office does not hold information regarding money paid to the IOM government for COVID-19 vaccines, testing, or media advertising.
• A spreadsheet detailing Public Health media service payments relating to COVID-19 was attached to the response.
• Some requested information on advertising costs was deemed reasonably accessible via a previous FOI response (case 2018990).
• Additional spending on COVID-19 campaigns may be held by the Department for Enterprise.
• Further information on health-related spending may be held by the Department of Health and Social Care or Manx Care.

Data Disclosed

• 2147802
• 2021-12-15
• 2022-01-17
• 2018990
• Section 20
• Freedom of Information Act 2015

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Information reasonably accessible)

Original Request

Has the IOM government been paid any money from any source for covid-19 vaccines, testing or media advertising of anything in relation to Covid-19? If so, please provide details on amounts, terms and usage. 2. Has the IOM or UK gov paid money to any manx media services such as newspapers, television/radio/ online for Covid-19 material? If so, please provide details on amounts, terms and media services paid.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 2147802 17 January 2022

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 15 December 2021 and which states:

"Has the IOM government been paid any money from any source for covid- 19 vaccines, testing or media advertising of anything in relation to Covid- 19? If so, please provide details on amounts, terms and usage. 2. Has the IOM or UK gov paid money to any manx media services such as newspapers, television/radio/ online for Covid-19 material? If so, please provide details on amounts, terms and media services paid." Our response to your request is as follows: "Has the IOM government been paid any money from any source for covid- 19 vaccines, testing or media advertising of anything in relation to Covid- 19? If so, please provide details on amounts, terms and usage. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold the information that you have requested. 2. Has the IOM or UK gov paid money to any manx media services such as newspapers, television/radio/ online for Covid-19 material? If so, please provide details on amounts, terms and media services paid." While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, under section 20 of the Act, we are not required to provide information in response to a request if it is already reasonably accessible to you, whether free of charge or on payment of a fee. Some of the information that you have requested is available online from a previous Freedom of Information response, 2018990, Cost of Covid-19 public information advertising and notices, which can be found at: https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/search. There may have been additional spending by the Department for Enterprise as they are handling the campaign work around living with COVID. You may wish to contact the Department for Enterprise who may hold information related to your request: Department for Enterprise, St Georges Court, Upper Church Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1EX Telephone: 01624 686400.

I have attached copies of the information that is held for Public Health, Cabinet Office.
Please see the attached spreadsheet detailing Public Health media service payments relating to Covid-19. Further information may be held by the Department of Health and Social Care or Manx Care: Department of Health and Social Care, Head Office, First Floor, Belgravia House, Circular Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1AE. Telephone: 01624 685816. Manx Care, Head Office, Noble’s Hospital Estate, Strang, Braddan, Isle of Man, IM4 4RJ or submit a freedom of information request to Manx Care directly https://iomportal.icasework.com/resource?id=741209&db=iom. Please quote the reference number 2147802 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi. I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely