Date - 28 February 2023
Request
You have requested the following information:
“Under the FOIA, can you please tell me for each of 2019-2020, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 how many requests to acquire Internet Connection Records were made by the Pensions Regulator under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 in that year.
To help direct your inquiries I believe that a head of department in an intelligence or enforcement role can authorise to such requests.
Can you please supply the current TPR guidance to staff or policy on how and why to make such requests.”
Response
I can confirm that we hold some of the information you have requested.
Information we are able to supply
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has not completed any requests to acquire internet connection records within the time periods you have provided. In addition, we do not hold guidance or policies to staff on how to make such requests.
TPR uses the services of National Anti Fraud Network (NAFN) for execution of Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) powers. TPR is prescribed by law to have access to certain powers. This process sees TPR staff write applications in accordance with IPA requirements and guidelines (such as necessity and proportionality) and this is then forwarded to NAFN who scrutinise and ultimately approve or disapprove that application.