Government Levy

Summary

The requester asked for confirmation regarding the link between the removal of a government levy and recent Post Office profits, as well as the cost of a new parcel sorting machine. The Isle of Man Post Office refused to provide the information, citing that it is already publicly available in statutory accounts and that disclosure would breach confidence.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 2022-03-29 and responded to on 2022-03-30.
• The authority stated the requested information is available in published statutory accounts.
• The authority claimed the information is exempt under section 26 of the Act due to breach of confidence.
• The outcome was 'No information sent - all held but exempt'.
• The requester can appeal to the Information Commissioner if dissatisfied with the internal review.

Data Disclosed

• 2022-03-29
• 2022-03-30
• 2352261
• section 20
• section 26
• Freedom of Information Act 2015

Exemptions Cited

• Section 20: Information already reasonably accessible
• Section 26: Actionable breach of confidence

Original Request

It's public knowledge that the IOMPO had to pay a levy to Government each year, until it was approved by Tynwald that the Post Office no longer had to pay it. Can you confirm for me that the reason the PO have recently been able to announce profits because they no longer have to pay such a levy? How much has the new parcel sorting machine cost the Isle of Man PO?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Postal Headquarters Spring Valley Industrial Estate Douglas Isle of Man, 1M2 IAA

Switchboard: +44 (0)1624 698400 Telephone: +44 (0)1624 698402 Fax: +44 (0)1624 698406 Email: foi@iompost.com Web: www.iompost.com

Our ref: 2352261 30 March 2022

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 29 March 2022 and which states:

"It's public knowledge that the IOMPO had to pay a levy to Government each year, until it was approved by Tynwald that the Post Office no longer had to pay it.

1. Can you confirm for me that the reason the PO have recently been able to announce profits because they no longer have to pay such a levy?

2. How much has the new parcel sorting machine cost the Isle of Man PO?"

1 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. All of the information that you have requested is available from our published statutory accounts https://www.iompost.com/about/annual-review-and-accounts/

2 While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is absolutely exempt under section 26 of the Act, as disclosure would constitute an actionable breach of confidence.

Please quote the reference number 2352261 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

FOI Co-ordinator