Request employers, by size (number of employees) and sector 03/17

Summary

The requester asked the Isle of Man Treasury for historical data on employer numbers by size and sector for March 2015, 2016, and 2017 to aid business development. The Treasury refused the request, stating they do not hold the information in the required format and that compiling it would require creating or analyzing data, which is not mandated under the Freedom of Information Act.

Key Facts

• The request was received on 2018-07-24 and the outcome was issued on 2018-08-16.
• The Treasury refused the request under Section 11(3)(b) of the Act due to practical refusal reasons.
• The authority stated that complying would require creating, deriving, researching, or substantially compiling information.
• The Treasury advised the requester to contact the Cabinet Office - Economic Affairs Division, as they receive data from the Assessor of Income Tax for government statistics.
• The requester cited Guernsey's 'Facts and Figures 2017 Annual Report' as an example of the desired data format.

Data Disclosed

• March 2017
• March 2016
• March 2015
• 2018-07-24
• 2018-08-16
• 546134
• Section 11(2)(b)
• Section 11(3)(b)
• Section 8(3)
• Section 106(4)(j)
• Income Tax Act 1970

Exemptions Cited

• Section 11(3)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act (Practical refusal reasons: creating, deriving, researching, or compiling information)

Original Request

Please provide data at March 2017, March 2016 and March 2015 confirming the number of employers by size of business (size being the number of employees) and by sector. Such data is available in other jurisdictions, it is necessary to track Isle of Man relative performance also to perform market segmentation essential to sales team strategic alignment. Example of the reporting required are attached - see table attached "Sample from Guernsey Facts Figures 2017 Request_employers_by_size_number of employees_and_sector_03_2017.jpeg" Also please find attached - Guernsey Facts and Figures 2017 Annual Report that this table is extracted from. "Guernsey Facts Figures.pdf" If the Treasury or other departments that the Treasury may be aware of could be asked to supply this statistical analysis please it would be greatly appreciated. Such data contributes greatly in our efforts to strategically support and target Isle of Man Plc. business development. If the Treasury or other statistical departments could separately confirm when statistical analysis data (excel data files) and reports, equivalent to that provided in other competing jurisdictions (like Guernsey), is likely to be regularly published it would also be very much appropriated. Best regards,

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Seyrsnys Fysseree

The Treasury Government Office, Douglas Isle of Man, IM1 3PU

Telephone: (01624) 685605 Email: FOI.Treasury@gov.im

Government Website: www.gov.im

Our ref: 546134 15 August 2018

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 24 July 2018 and which states:

"Please provide data at March 2017, March 2016 and March 2015 confirming the number of employers by size of business (size being the number of employees) and by sector. Such data is available in other jurisdictions, it is necessary to track Isle of Man relative performance also to perform market segmentation essential to sales team strategic alignment. Example of the reporting required are attached - see table attached "Sample from Guernsey Facts Figures 2017 Request_employers_by_size_number of employees_and_sector_03_2017.jpeg" Also please find attached - Guernsey Facts and Figures 2017 Annual Report that this table is extracted from. "Guernsey Facts Figures.pdf" If the Treasury or other departments that the Treasury may be aware of could be asked to supply this statistical analysis please it would be greatly appreciated. Such data contributes greatly in our efforts to strategically support and target Isle of Man Plc. business development. If the Treasury or other statistical departments could separately confirm when statistical analysis data (excel data files) and reports, equivalent to that provided in other competing jurisdictions (like Guernsey), is likely to be regularly published it would also be very much appropriated. Best regards,"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

Section 11(2)(b) of the Act makes provision for public authorities to refuse to give an applicant the information they requested on the grounds that a practical refusal reason applies. In this instance, under Section 11(3)(b) of the Act we are refusing your application on the grounds that practical refusal reasons apply, namely, that in complying with the request for information, it would require the Treasury to do one or more of the matters mentioned in section 8(3) of the Act (things a public authority is not required to do by the Act) as follows; a) Create or derive information from information that it holds; b) Undertake research into, or analysis of, information, that it holds; or c) Undertake substantial compilation or collation of information that it holds In this instance we are unable to answer your request as we believe that a), b) and c) above all apply. However, if it may be of assistance to you, I can confirm that data is provided by the Assessor of Income Tax to the Cabinet Office - Economic Affairs Division under the provisions of Section 106(4)(j) of the Income Tax Act 1970 for the purpose of assisting in the production of Government statistics, which is subsequently compiled in a format similar to your request. I am aware that you have already been in contact with the Cabinet Office and therefore you may wish to contact them again (either by email or under the Freedom of Information Act), specifically stating the information and dates which you require, as they may be able to assist you further. Please quote the reference number 546134 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,