Request ID: FOI-0525-2223 Date published: 29 July 2022
You asked
T&D have recently introduced an 'attraction and retention' scheme with the stated aim to address attrition in key roles across T&D. This involves payment of a non-consolidated amount (based on salary) as a 'Key Role Allowance'.
We would like to see the report produced by the external company, Willis Towers Watson, that was used to determine and select roles to be included in this scheme.
Further, we would like to see the EQIA report into the implementation of this scheme.
Additionally would also like to know the fees paid to Willis Towers Watson to produce this report.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-0525-2223
Thank you for your request received on 7 June 2022 asking for information about the T&D attraction and retention scheme.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require. You asked:
We would like to see the report produced by the external company, Willis Towers Watson, that was used to determine and select roles to be included in this scheme.
In accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply the requested report as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2) – prejudice to commercial interests.
In this instance the exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information you have requested would prejudice the commercial interests of Willis Towers Watson (WTW). This data is their proprietary information and their revenue comes from selling the same data to different organisations. The source survey data, which is owned and copyrighted by WTW and released to clients, such as TfL, who participate and pay for their product under a contract which prohibits publication and states that that the information is for our internal use only. Release of this data would mean that WTW would be less likely to be able to charge for it in future.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance we have obtained this information under a contractual non-disclosure agreement, and disclosure would be likely to significantly prejudice the commercial interests of WTW.
In addition, this information is also exempt under section 41(1) as it was obtained in confidence from a third party, Willis Towers Watson (WTW) and its disclosure would constitute an actionable breach of confidence by that party, by virtue of it being a breach of the terms of the contract under which it was supplied. Section 41(1) is an absolute exemption to the right of access and no further consideration of the public interest is required.
Further, we would like to see the EQIA report into the implementation of this scheme.
Whilst a document was not produced at the time, protected characteristics were given due consideration during the decision making process. However this was not documented in the form of an EQIA. We are now retrospectively producing an EQIA to outline the considerations and mitigations that we did take and that we intend to take whilst monitoring the scheme over the next nine months.
Additionally would also like to know the fees paid to Willis Towers Watson to produce this report.
The cost for this report was £5,000.
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
